Paralegal Specialist

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys in South Carolina seeks a qualified professional for a position requiring structured legal experience at GS-09/GS-11 levels.

You will assist with drafting legal documents, conducting research, tracking deadlines, and supporting trial preparation in coordination with law enforcement partners. Applicants must have specialized experience at GS-07 or graduate education as described, with transcripts.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience at the GS-07 level performing duties listed (motions, research, deadlines, liaison).
• Education options include master\'s degree or 2 years of graduate study with transcripts.
• Time-in-grade and merit promotion requirements apply for higher grades.

Responsibilities

• Draft legal documents such as motions, foreclosures, garnishments, or other legal actions.
• Conduct research, analysis or summarizing relevant legal precedents for applicability to assigned cases.
• Monitor cases to ensure deadlines are met.
• Assist in trial preparation and liaise with other law enforcement agencies for information exchange.

Skills

Specialized Experience

Education

Master's/LL.B/J.D.

Graduate education 2 years

Job description

The United States Attorney's Office for South Carolina's mission is to investigate, prosecute and deter violations of federal statutes, enforce and represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, uphold civil, constitutional and victims' rights, and foster partnerships with other federal, state and local government agencies and community groups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:

To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must possess:

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (3) of the (3) duties listed below:

• Preparing or drafting a variety of legal documents, such as motions, foreclosures, garnishments, or other legal actions;
• Conducting research, analysis or summarizing relevant legal precedents for applicability to assigned cases;
• Monitoring cases to ensure deadlines are met;
• Assisting in trial preparation and acting as liaison with other law enforcement agencies for the exchange of information.

OR Successful completion of one of the following types of education in a related field, such as (paralegal studies, criminal justice, social science, business administration, or english): a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. My education was obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR A combination of specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have at least one year of graduate education as described in B, which when combined equals 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of education, first determine the total number of hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study) then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation). (You must submit transcripts.)

To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess:

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (4) of the (5) duties listed below:

• Assisting with the development of policies and procedures related to the asset forfeiture area to ensure compliance by the asset forfeiture staff;
• Preparing legal pleadings to commence judicial asset forfeiture proceedings or proposing orders to accomplish forfeiture, settlement or dismissal;
• Supporting paralegal research cases by gathering or organizing evidence relating to the forfeiture of money, real and personal property;
• Coordinating with investigating agencies to gather factual support for forfeiture theories and potential third-party claims;
• Researching, analyzing or evaluating legal and factual issues and information for asset forfeiture details involved in various cases.

OR Successful completion of one of the following types of education in a related field, such as (paralegal studies, criminal justice, social science, business administration, or english): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M degree. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. (You must submit your college transcripts.)

OR A combination of the above described graduate education and specialized experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years can be used in this calculation. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 36 semester hours (or your school's definition of two years of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of specialized experience, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (You must submit your college transcripts.)

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS:

Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level.

• You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases).