Paralegal Specialist

About the role

If selected for this position, you will serve as a Paralegal Specialist for the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Virginia.

Responsibilities

Typical work assignments will include:

• 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.

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

Requirements

Conditions of employment include:

• Being a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing.
• Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• Registration for Selective Service, if applicable.
• Completion of a one year probationary period, if selected.

Qualifications

To be qualified for the GS-11 position, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in federal service.

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:

• 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.

Alternatively, you may qualify with a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M.

Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may also be used to meet total qualification requirements.

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.