Paralegal Specialist

About the role

If selected for this position, you will be responsible for providing substantive legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in a variety of specialized litigative activities related to special prosecutions. The incumbent provides support in the investigation and prosecution of specialized cases such as violent and organized crime, national security and fraud and public corruption.

Responsibilities

Typical work assignments will include:

• Using an in-depth knowledge of the application of various laws, court and/or administrative decisions and interpretations related to prosecutorial litigation to provide a variety of technical assistance to attorneys.
• Performing extensive and thorough legal research into legislative history, precedent cases, decision, and opinions that may be applicable to particular legal matters.
• Using multiple online legal systems to research state and federal statutes, legal and factual issues, and any other information pertinent to the resolution of an issue.
• Drafting initial legal and administrative briefs, USAO motions, oppositions to defense motions and correspondence for AUSA review.
• Preparing and organizing voluminous documentation and evidence for production as discovery and for use in trial.
• Participating in pre-trial witness conferences, noting any deficiencies in case materials (e.g., missing documents, conflicting statements) and additional issues or matters requiring investigation prior to trial.
• Providing automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations utilizing various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters.

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

Qualifications

GS-11: To be qualified at the GS-11 grade level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below:

• Specialized Experience: At least one year of full-time specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service 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: 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, if related. 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.
• 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.

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

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.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.