Paralegal Specialist

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 59,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the Newark, NJ and Queens, NY area seeks a Paralegal Specialist to support legal functions at the port level. The role involves reviewing claims, penalties, and disclosures, coordinating a paralegal team, and finalizing cases under CBP enforcement authority.

The position starts at GS-07, with potential up to GS-12, offering a pathway with promotion opportunities within the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division. Candidates must be U.S.

Qualifications

• Experience reviewing routine program, administrative, or case-related documents to identify basic facts, issues, dates, missing information, and required supporting materials.
• Ability to use established sources, such as policies, to support decisions.
• U.S. citizenship is required for this position.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and adjudicating seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages through the officer's authority to resolution.
• Evaluate facts of the case in consultation with applicable handbooks and procedures.
• Prepare concise written responses with arguments, analysis, and conclusions of law.

Skills

Paralegal duties

Legal support

Case review

Documentation

Job description

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations. SummaryOrganizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, New York Field Office, Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Division, Newark, NJ and Queens, NY. You will receive consideration for the location(s) for which you apply, however, the final duty location determination will be made at management's discretion. DutiesCBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to provide legal support of those executing the law enforcement duties at the port level. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen homeland security by performing paralegal activities such as reviewing and finalizing claims, preparing cases, and coordinating the work of a paralegal team. This position starts at a salary of $59,465.00 (GS-07, Step 1) to $94,563.00 (GS-09, Step 10) with promotion potential to $137,128.00 (GS-12 Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. In this Paralegal Specialist position, you will become you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals providing key legal support for the law enforcement duties at the port level. Typical work assignments include: Reviewing and adjudicating seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages within the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) Officer's authority through to resolution. Evaluating the facts of the case in consultation with the Seized Asset Management Enforcement Procedures Handbook (SAMEPH). Monitoring the applicable statute of limitations for all assigned cases and soliciting waivers, when necessary, in order to ensure Customs and Border Protection (CBP) retains enforcement authority. Formulating a concise written response to petitions which include a summary of the arguments, analysis, and the conclusions of law supporting the decision. Ensuring uniform and consistent approach to accomplishing CBP's mission as it relates to the adjudication of civil liabilities stemming from enforcement actions. RequiremenntsYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English You may be required to pass a background investigation. CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position, represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU. QualificationsNOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. GS-07 Experience: You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Reviewing routine program, administrative, or case-related documents to identify basic facts, issues, dates, missing information, and required supporting materials. Using established sources, such as policies