Paralegal Specialist (Civil)

Full Job Description

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level.

Specialized Experience is defined as experience performing a variety of analytical paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing legal briefs, summaries of analyses and decisions, and pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; and preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): a Ph.D.

or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M.

Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university, and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.

To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria.

You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.

Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Major Duties:

This posting seeks Paralegal Specialist applicants for our Civil Division.

The Civil Division defends the United States against all varieties of civil claims and recovers hundreds of millions of dollars in losses to the United States and penalties from companies and individuals who defraud federal programs.

You will be supporting Civil Division Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) who handle a wide array of federal civil cases in the trial, appellate, and bankruptcy courts.

At the full performance level, you will support AUSAs by providing Paralegal support. Duties include: Performs substantive legal research using a variety of research tools.

Prepares draft legal and administrative pleadings and various other correspondence and legal documents. Review and organize complex factual material and other documentary data.

Provide advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents. Use tables and citation checking with efficiency.

Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents to include extradition requests, grand jury and trial subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony.

Develop and enter various case material into a computer database. Prepare charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results.

Prepare, develop, compile, or maintain jury instructions in preparing for trial. Prepare exhibits for trial which typically involve a wide range of visual materials.

Provide litigation case management and organize cases for court presentation. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.