Paralegal Specialist

About the role

This position serves as a Paralegal Specialist in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office, District of Connecticut, responsible for providing legal support services to litigation teams.

Responsibilities

• 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, testimony, 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, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony
• 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.

Qualifications

GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions:

• Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a basic knowledge of legal research and the ability to interpret legal decisions. Examples include: 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 substantive 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: 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 in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law). 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.
• Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education (in excess of 1 full year) 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:

• 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 include: 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: 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. in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law). 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.
• Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education (in excess of 2 full years) and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period
• Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement
• All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.