Paralegal Specialist

U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 71,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington, DC seeks a paralegal support specialist to provide comprehensive administrative and clerical assistance to attorney-advisors. Responsibilities include researching information, case entry into RRTS, and managing high volumes of records.

The role requires at least 1 year of specialized experience, GS-9 education substitution options, and training obligations. Join a security-focused agency dedicated to enforcing laws and protecting the Nation.

Qualifications

• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level.
• Experience researching information using legal databases (e.g., LEXIS NEXIS) and public records.
• Experience identifying and implementing records management programs and reviewing administrative case responses.

Responsibilities

• Research information using legal sources and upload new cases into the Regulations and Rulings Case Tracking System (RRTS).
• Organize and manage a high volume of case records, supporting documentation, and legal references.
• Coordinate activities with attorneys and CBP offices to ensure information is available to office personnel.

Skills

Legal research

Records management

Administrative support

Education

Master's degree or equivalent

Tools

LEXIS NEXIS

Job description

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Trade, Regulations and Rulings, located in Washington, DC. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

CBP Office of Trade is the architect of the most robust customs system in the world and the second largest revenue source for the U.S. Government. We facilitate legitimate trade, enforce U.S. laws, and protect the American economy as well as consumer health and safety. Collaborating with industry and government partners, we create a fair, competitive, and safe trade environment, and we enforce U.S. trade law to protect national economic security. Our expertise in the trade community allows us to lead the development of streamlined and efficient processes that provide certainty for legitimate importers, while combatting transnational crime. This position starts at a salary of $70,623.00 (GS-09, Step 1) to $111,087.00 (GS-11, 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. The primary purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support for all paralegal functions assisting attorney-advisors. Typical duties include: Researching information using CROSS, LEXIS, and other legal research sources. Uploading new cases into the office's case tracking system called the Regulations and Rulings Case Tracking System (RRTS) and Secure Release as instructed by the branch chief. Organizing and managing a high volume of case records, supporting documentation (e.g., contracts, invoices and other commercial data), correspondence, and legal reference materials. Supporting the office caseload and processing needs to determine that all information that may have an effect on current cases is made available to office personnel, and coordinating activity with the appropriate attorneys, offices within CBP, and agencies.

Requiremennts

You 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 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. Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 3 weeks of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Basic training, Charleston, SC. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.

Qualifications

Experience GS-09: 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: Researching information using LEXIS NEXIS, legal research sources, and other government databases publicly available to track progress on certain cases Implementing and administering the Records Management Program in accordance with Federal General Services Identifying, recommending, and implementing a wide variety of recordkeeping systems and databases, and reviewing analyzes and recommending appropriate responses in administrative cases. GS-9 Education Substitution: Successful completion of a Master's or equivalent