Fact Witness Coordinator /Paralegal II Supporting the USAO

FSA; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

FSA Federal in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Paralegal II to support the United States Attorney's Office mission. You will handle witness documentation, travel arrangements, and court-related logistics under tight deadlines.

The ideal candidate has a paralegal certificate or equivalent experience, strong organization, and the ability to work under pressure in a federal environment. U.S. citizenship is a requirement.

Qualifications

• Paralegal Certificate; or High School Diploma/GED with at least three-years' paralegal experience
• At least 2 years' legal or administrative experience
• Automated litigation support experience very helpful
• Basic paralegal knowledge, including knowledge of standard legal citation system
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and thorough knowledge of legal research tools
• Hands-on familiarity with word processing, database, spreadsheet and telecommunications
• Ability to deliver high-quality work under extreme pressure
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted

Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit documentation for fact witness reimbursement and gather required documentation for vouchers and Government Travel Accounts.
• Provide witness management assistance before, during, and after trial, coordinating appearance and support for court and grand jury.
• Receive visitors and field inquiries from witnesses; arrange travel and reimbursements.
• Initiate contact to arrange travel, appearance timing, and determine special circumstances.
• Coordinate with AUSA on appearance and special circumstances; obtain prior approval for travel arrangements.
• Before appearance, ensure travel documents and dates are provided to witnesses; arrange travel and lodging per DOJ/USAO policies.
• Meet witnesses on arrival, provide courtroom orientation, accompany to court, and collect documentation for reimbursements.
• Coordinate information with Court, Probation, Pretrial, U.S. Marshals Service, and others as needed.
• Complete variable aspects of recurring documents; draft letters with legal terminology relevant to fact witness procedures.
• Maintain and organize fact witness files, databases, and calendars; track hearings, trial dates, and scheduling conferences.

Skills

Written and oral communication

Legal research basics

Administrative support

Document preparation

Education

Paralegal Certificate

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Word processing

Databases

Spreadsheets

Telecommunications

Job description

Be a part of the nationwide law enforcement initiative that removes the tools of crime from criminal organizations, depriving wrongdoers of proceeds from their crime and impacting the infrastructure of criminal enterprises. FSA Federal (FSA) is focused on delivering unsurpassed services in support of law enforcement and homeland security. We currently have a vacancy for a Paralegal II. In this role, you will be supporting the overall mission of the United States Attorney's Office (USAO).

Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit documentation for fact witness reimbursement, i.e. witness vouchers and other required documentation for fact witnesses. Furnish requested information concerning pending and completed fact witness vouchers. Gather required documentation and reconcile Government Travel Accounts.
• Provide witness management assistance prior to, during, and after trial. Typical assignments include: work directly with fact witnesses, provide assistance and support to ensure appearance for court, pre-trial conferences, and grand jury.
• Receive visitors, field phone calls, questions and other inquiries from fact witnesses seeking information pertaining to court, pre-trial conferences, grand jury appearances and expense reimbursement. Obtain pertinent information for files and documents necessary to arrange witness travel and reimbursements.
• Initiate contact/notify fact witnesses concerning travel arrangements, appearance date/time, and determine any special circumstances or needs of the fact witness. Use judgment to determine when AUSA should be notified of special circumstances or needs of fact witnesses.
• Confer with AUSA concerning fact witness appearance and special circumstances regarding witnesses (special authorizations, international witnesses, military/federal employee witnesses, or hostile witnesses). Complete and submit proper documentation for special authorizations and obtain prior approval before proceeding with travel arrangements.
• Prior to fact witness' appearance, ensure all travel documents and appearance date and time have been provided to witness. Make necessary arrangements for fact witness travel and lodging according to Department of Justice and USAO policies and procedures.
• Meet with fact witnesses upon arrival to designated hearing or pre-trial conference, offer and perform courtroom orientation, accompany witness to court, ensure a safe waiting area is available, and collect necessary documentation and signatures for fact witness reimbursement documents.
• Prepare and submit documentation for fact witness reimbursement, i.e. witness vouchers and other required documentation for fact witnesses. Furnish requested information concerning pending and completed fact witness vouchers. Gather required documentation and reconcile Government Travel Accounts.
• Obtain information, confer, and coordinate with the Court, Probation, Pretrial, U.S. Marshals Service, investigative agencies, and other counterparts, when necessary.
• Complete variable aspects of recurring documents in conformance with the rules governing their style and format. Compose original letters that do not require legal interpretations, but require a good working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology relevant to fact witness laws and regulations.
• Perform general office procedures pertaining to fact witness management, including, but not limited to: establish and maintain a variety of fact witness files, documents and databases; assemble documents and other information for fact witness file material and retention in accordance with established procedures and Department of Justice regulations; if requested, establish and maintain calendar and/or database of active and pending fact witness appearances; track hearings, trial dates, grand jury and scheduling conferences; perform other administrative and logistical fact witness management related duties as required/assigned.

Requirements

• Paralegal Certificate; or High School Diploma/GED with at least three-years' paralegal experience
• At least 2 years' legal or administrative experience.
• Automated litigation support experience very helpful.
• Basic paralegal knowledge, including knowledge of standard legal citation system sufficient to perform basic legal research.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and thorough knowledge of legal research tools.
• Hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, including word processing, database, spreadsheet, and telecommunications.
• Ability to consistently deliver highest quality work under extreme pressure.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate

This position requires U.S. Citizenship and a 7 (or 10) year minimum background investigation.

Agency Overview

TheUnited StatesAttorney's Office (USAO) serves as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of theAttorneyGeneral. The USAO is responsible for the prosecution of both criminal and civil actions against property used or acquired during illegal activity.

Benefits Overview

At FSA Federal, we recognize the diverse needs of our employees and strive to provide an excellent package to help meet those needs. Comprehensive benefits are offered with greater choice and flexibility to support your health, work-life balance, and professional growth. A package providing employee only coverage can be built around our basic plans at $0 employee cost for: Medical, Dental, Vision, Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Employee Assistance Program. For more information, click here.

Consistent with our goal of empowering people, FSA is committed to providing all employees and employment candidates the right to equal employment opportunities and a harassment-free work environment free from retaliation. FSA's employment practices are based on an individual’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including transgender status, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all policies and procedures including recruitment and hiring, promotions, transfers, and terminations, as well as compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. Our long-term success depends upon our ability to attract, retain, and develop a workforce with the knowledge and skills needed to support the vital missions of our customers. FSA is proud to maintain a drug-free workplace. Satisfactory completion of a post-offer drug screening is a condition of employment. As a supplier of services to federal government agencies, such as DEA, FBI, USCIS, USPIS, etc., we also adhere to agency standards with respect to prior drug usage.