Paralegal Specialist

United States Attorneys' Offices; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorneys' Offices in the Southern District of Florida seeks a Paralegal Specialist to support Assistant United States Attorneys in a range of litigative activities. The role emphasizes extensive legal research, drafting, and organizing discovery for trial, with progression to more complex assignments as experience grows.

Responsibilities include preparing documents, reviewing records for privilege and redactions, and supporting pre-trial conferences, under federal standards

Qualifications

• One full year of specialized experience at GS-7 level or equivalent for GS-9.
• Graduate education can substitute for experience as outlined (Masters/2 years for GS-9).
• For GS-11, one full year of specialized experience at GS-9 level or higher; graduate degrees may substitute.
• Experience performing paralegal or legal work and ability to research legal decisions.

Responsibilities

• Assist AUSAs in litigative activities, including legal research and information gathering.
• Prepare and organize discovery and trial materials.
• Draft legal documents detailing precedents and legislative history.
• Review records for privilege and redactions and support pre-trial conferences.

Skills

Legal research

Paralegal work

Document drafting

Familiarity with court procedures

Education

Master's degree in related field

J.D. or LL.B./LL.M.

Tools

Electronic filing systems

Job description

Summary

The position is located in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) Southern District of Florida. The incumbent provides legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in a variety of recurring litigative activities.

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Duties

If selected for this position, you will serve as a Paralegal Specialist in the Criminal Division for the United States Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Using an in-depth knowledge of the application of various laws, court and/or administrative decisions and interpretations related to U.S. Magistrate Court proceedings.
• Use multiple online legal systems, researches state and federal statutes, legal and factual issues and any other source of information pertinent to the resolution of an issue.
• Independently performs extensive and thorough legal research into the legislative history, precedent cases, decisions, and opinions that may be applicable to particular legal matters.
• Prepares documents that pertain to the analysis, evaluation and relevance of technical evidence or questions which arise during the litigative process and require reconciliation of conflicting policies and facts.
• Drafts legal documents that detail the legislative history, precedent cases, decisions and opinions that may be applicable to particular legal matters.
• Prepares and organizes voluminous documentation and evidence for production as discovery and for use in trial.
• Identifies and locates missing information.
• Reviews administrative records and discovery production for privileged content and other content for redaction.
• Participates in pre-trial witness conferences, noting any deficiencies in case materials (e.g., missing documents, conflicting statements) and additional issues or other matters requiring investigation prior to trial.
• Examines and evaluates information in case files, following agency standards regarding case litigation worthiness and appropriate titles of law.
• Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

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.

Qualifications

GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. 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; document findings and preparing recommendations; or searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel. Knowledge of legal reference materials and ability to perform extensive legal research, specializing in asset forfeiture is preferred.

OR

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

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. 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; or preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations. Knowledge of legal reference materials and ability to perform extensive legal research, specializing in asset forfeiture.

OR

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. 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.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)- The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov