Paralegal Specialist (Financial Litigation)

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, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.

Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level.

Specialized Experience is defined as experience performing research, evaluation, and analysis of a variety of routine legal topics relating to bankruptcy, commercial litigation, or creditors' rights.

For example, researching and analyzing the financial situation of debtors and making recommendations on appropriate legal action; researching and analyzing legal precedents relating to bankruptcy or creditors' rights; and identifying the need for and preparing substantive legal documents necessary for debt collection.

OR 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.

OR 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.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the 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 proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.

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

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:

As a Paralegal Specialist (Financial Litigation) in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing a variety of legal support services to the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Kentucky.

You will be assigned to the Civil Division in the Lexington office, and your duties will include (but are not limited to): Preparing a variety of substantive legal documents for pre-judgment and post-judgment enforcement of debt owed to crime victims or the United States and its agencies.

Interviewing debtors, employers, and others to obtain financial information and conduct asset investigations.

Reviewing, summarizing, and outlining debtor's financial condition and recommending appropriate legal action.

Preparing legal pleadings necessary to commence affirmative litigation and Financial Litigation proceedings and subsequent motions.

Processing civil debt collection claims referred from federal agencies. Making recommendations regarding debt compromise, write-off, and referral of claims.

Enforcing criminal judgment and commitment orders and independently performing all functions to collect criminal fines and restitution.

Monitoring the progress of pending cases and initiating action to ensure that legal and other documents are prepared and submitted within established deadlines.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.