Paralegal Specialist

About the role

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut is seeking applications for a Paralegal Specialist to serve in the Bridgeport, Connecticut Office. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Typical work assignments

• Reviewing and organizing complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials
• Providing advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents
• Using tables and citation checking with efficiency
• Preparing 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
• Developing and entering various case material into a computer database
• Preparing charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results
• Preparing, developing, compiling, and/or maintaining jury instructions in preparation for trial
• Preparing exhibits for trial which typically involve a wide range of visual materials
• Providing litigation case management and organizing cases for court presentation

Qualifications

To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must possess specialized experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). 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 of specialized experience may include the following:

• 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

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

OR 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.

To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess specialized experience: At least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). 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 of specialized experiences may include the following:

• 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
• Preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations

OR Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Law, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration): 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 the position.

OR 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 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)
• 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; situational telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Additional information

• Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized
• 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
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority under certain conditions
• Political Appointees (Current or Former): If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office
• 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 show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.