Paralegal Specialist

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Tucson Sector, Law Enforcement Operational Programs, located in Tucson, AZ. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Pay

This position starts at a salary of $76,095.00 (GS-11, Step 1) to $118,569.00 (GS-12, Step 10). GS Salary: Visit the locality pay tables by geographic area. If your geographic area is not listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level, and location of the position. Please visit the special pay rate charts.

Responsibilities

• Review and adjudicate seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages within the Asset Forfeiture Officer's authority through to resolution.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for higher-level management and may be requested to instruct at the Basic Paralegal Certification Course.
• Ensure all due process considerations are met and that the elements necessary to establish a violation are present and supported by appropriate documentation.
• Evaluate the facts of the case in consultation with the Seized Asset Management Enforcement Procedures Handbook (SAMEPH), mitigating and aggravating factors to reach legally sufficient decisions and recommendations to mitigate, cancel, or deny forfeiture actions within the Asset Forfeiture Officer's (AFO) authority.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service.
• Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below).
• All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.
• CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures.
• Your conduct will be subject to government ethics standards, including obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity.
• DHS uses E-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.

This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Border Patrol Council - NBPC. For local chapter contact information, see NBPC.

Qualifications

Experience for GS-11: You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Reviewing and evaluating investigative reports and case records.
• Examining and evaluating petitions, making decisions as to the acceptability of evidence, and determining grounds for relief.
• Preparing and issuing final decision letters stating findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Providing technical direction to lower graded employees.

Experience for GS-12: You qualify for the GS-12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Evaluating all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases to make determinations and recommendations as appropriate.
• Applying legal expertise to identify defects, deficiencies, and trends to refer defective or improperly documented cases for correction and/or cancellation.
• Using automated systems to accurately track case management progress and optimize efficiency.
• Developing guidance, training, and feedback to field personnel regarding seizures, penalties, fines, etc., to increase effectiveness and enforcement actions.

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet these requirements, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Education

Substitution for GS-11: A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience required at this level. A course of study in business, international business, or a related field is qualifying. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise three years of graduate study. If that information is not available, use 54 semester or 81 quarter hours.

Substitution for GS-12: There is no education substitution at the GS-12 grade level.

Combining Education and Experience: To combine your education and experience, convert each to a percentage and then add the percentages. The combined total must equal at least 100% to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of two full years may be used. If your education is described in quarter hours, convert them into semester hours by multiplying by the fraction 2/3.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional Information

• You must meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable, subject to verification at any stage of the application process.
• You must meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 08/07/2026.
• The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity.
• There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals must have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years. Exceptions may apply if you meet specific conditions.
• All employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period during the first year of their initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment.
• If you are a CTAP/ICTAP eligible, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position and submit the supporting documents listed in the announcement.