Paralegal Specialist

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida seeks a paralegal to support Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in diverse litigative activities. The role emphasizes legal research, drafting briefs, and managing case files within asset forfeiture contexts.

Qualified applicants have specialized experience at GS-7 level or graduate education as outlined in the federal standards, with opportunities for advancement and competitive federal benefits.

Qualifications

• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 level in paralegal or legal work.
• Knowledge of legal reference materials and ability to perform extensive legal research, specializing in asset forfeiture.
• Education at graduate level must be in a related field (Criminal Justice, Law, Public Administration) and demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in recurring litigative activities.
• Conduct legal research and interpret legal decisions.
• Draft briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence.
• Use a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information.
• Document findings and preparing recommendations.
• Search and review legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

Skills

Legal research

Paralegal duties

Document drafting

Education

Master's degree or higher in Criminal Justice/Law/Public Administration

2 years of graduate education in related field

Job description

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 priori