Paralegal Specialist

Customs and Border Protection; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeking qualified individuals for positions in the Fines Penalties and Forfeiture Division at the Port of Savannah, GA. Roles involve reviewing legal documents, processing and resolving cases, and ensuring due process is met.

Candidates must meet education/experience requirements (GS-07 or GS-09) and satisfy residency and time-in-grade criteria by the stated deadlines. A thorough background investigation is required for all applicants.

Qualifications

• Must clearly demonstrate how you meet qualification requirements
• Time-in-grade requirements of 52 weeks at next lower grade or equivalent by 09/22/2026
• Residency requirements for CBP applicants
• Combination of education and experience must meet 100% of the announced description

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and processing cases within the FPF Officer's authority through to solution
• Assisting in ensuring due process and element establishment for violations
• Receiving, examining, and evaluating petitions
• Reviewing evidence to make recommendations within mitigation guidelines

Skills

Legal document review

Effective communication

Case processing

Summarizing legal information

Education

1 year grad education or Master's

Bachelor's with SAA eligibility

2+ years grad education or LL.B./J.D.

Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Area of Port of Savannah, GA, Fines Penalties, and Forfeiture Division located in Savannah, GA. Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

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 legal documents to extract selected data and information relating to specified items
• Reviewing and summarizing legal information in prescribed format on case precedents and decisions
• Searching for and extracting legal references in libraries and computer data banks
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing

NOTE: 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.

Education Substitution GS-07:

• Completed one year (or more) of full-time graduate education or a Master's (or higher) degree from an accredited college or university for such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim. OR
• Completed all the requirements for a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and claim eligibility for superior academic achievement (SAA) based on one of the following: (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. (See qualifications section in the job opportunity announcement for more information.) I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim.

Combining Education and Experience:

I have a combination of successfully completed education and experience that is at least 100% as described in the Combining Experience and Education statement in the announcement posting. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim.

Experience: You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Reviewing and processing cases within the FPF Officer's authority through to solution.
• Assisting in assuring that all due process considerations are met and the elements necessary to establish a violation are present and supported.
• Receiving, examining, and evaluating petitions.
• Reviewing all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases and makes recommendations as appropriate within the requirements of the mitigation guidelines, laws, and regulations

Education Substitution GS-09:

• Completed two or more years of full-time graduate education or a Master's (or higher) degree from an accredited college or university or an LL.B. or J.D that demonstrates the skills necessary to do the work. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim.

Combining Education and Experience:

I have a combination of successfully completed education and experience that is at least 100% as described in the Combining Experience and Education statement in the announcement posting. I understand that I am required to submit proof of my educational claim.

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.

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/22/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency:

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

Probationary Period:

All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) Eligibles:

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP eligible. View information about CTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. You must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement. To be considered well qualified under CTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position.