Paralegal Specialist

About the role

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Oregon is seeking to fill Paralegal Specialist positions within our Civil Division. These positions are located in Portland, OR.

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

This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-OR-12988760-DE.

Responsibilities

• Drafting various documents including correspondence, subpoenas, memoranda, pleadings, affidavits, motions, complaints/answers, and discovery responses and requests, for attorney's review.
• Reviewing, organizing and summarizing complex factual materials and other documentary data, such as employment and medical records.
• Performing legal research as well as factual investigation using a variety of research tools.
• Discussing relevant facts, legal issues and case strategy with attorneys.
• Develop case review databases and, in coordination with case teams, perform complex review of materials to prepare reports and production.
• Using tables and citation checking with efficiency.
• Preparing a variety of substantive legal documents to include subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony.
• Developing and entering case information into various computer databases.
• Preparing charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results.
• Reviewing and editing district court pleadings and appellate briefs for consistency and clarity, checking legal citations and correcting typographical, formatting and substantive errors.
• Preparing exhibits for hearings and trials and assisting with presentation at both, as well as preparing jury instructions (if applicable).

Requirements

Well-qualified surplus/displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) in the local area and current/former Federal employees in permanent competitive service positions (status candidates). VEOA eligibles and those eligible for non-competitive appointment under special hiring authority, e.g., Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, former Overseas employees, VISTA/Peace Corps, some Land Management employees, and certain veterans, e.g., VRA, 30% Disabled. see link in "How to Apply"

Qualifications

• GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 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-7 level.
  • Education: Master's or equivalent graduate level degree (such as an LL.B or J.D.) OR at least two (2) full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree in a related field (e.g., Paralegal Studies, Criminal Justice, Law).
  • 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 1 full year.
• 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.
  • 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.
  • 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)

To be eligible for a VEOA appointment, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed three (3) or more years of continuous active military service. If you are applying for a Merit Promotion announcement and wish to be considered under VEOA, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214, in addition to any other required documents listed on this announcement.

Special Employment Consideration

Persons with disabilities, veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more, certain other veterans, spouses of certain members of the armed forces, and returning Peace Corps volunteers are examples of individuals who are potentially eligible for non-competitive appointments. For further information, click on the links provided below. You must specify in your online questionnaire under what authority you wish to be considered and submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.

• Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities Links

Education

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. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov.

Foreign education must be evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized

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.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate.