Paralegal Specialist (Immigration)

Full Job Description

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

Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-sdtx. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-SDTX-12855759-MP GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 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-7 level.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following types of duties: examining and processing a variety of legal documents; conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to complex or sensitive requests; drafting briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; documenting findings and preparing recommendations; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B.

or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

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 and abilities necessary to do the work of a Paralegal Specialist.

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

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 a variety of analytical paralegal or legal work related to immigration which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

This experience involves performing the following types of duties: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence related to civil immigration cases, such as habeas, mandamus and asylum cases and other similar matters; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing legal briefs, and summaries of analyses and decisions; 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 Paralegal Specialist.

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

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:

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team in the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Texas (SDTX).

As a Paralegal Specialist in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), you will: - Review and organize complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials.

- Provide advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents. - Analyze reports, testimonies, interviews and files. - Use tables and citation checking with efficiency.

- Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents to include extradition requests, grand jury and trial subpoenas, discovery 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.

If selected for the position, you will be assigned to the Civil Division.