Paralegal Specialist (Appellate)

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys in the Northern District of Indiana seeks candidates for grades GS-7, GS-9, and GS-11 who can support legal research, drafting, and document management for criminal and civil matters.

This posting outlines the education and experience options required for each grade level. Qualified applicants may advance by demonstrating the ability to perform rigorous legal research, prepare effective legal documents, and coordinate with

Qualifications

• GS-7 requires at least one of: specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, defined as drafting legal documents and correspondence; or one year of graduate education in a related field leading to a master's degree; or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement.
• GS-9 requires at least one of: specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, defined as legal research using statutes, case law, regulations, court rules, treatises, policy documents, and databases such as Westlaw and Lexis; or a master's or LL.M. or 2 years of graduate study; or combining education and experience with excess graduate education.
• GS-11 requires at least one of: specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, defined as analytical paralegal or legal work, or education such as a Ph.D. or LL.M., or 3 years of graduate study; or combining education and experience with more than 2 years of graduate education.
• ICTAP/CTAP information is provided for eligible displaced federal employees.

Responsibilities

• Perform legal research and analysis to support appellate litigation and other matters.
• Assist with drafting pleadings, memoranda, briefs, motions, and legal documents, including citation checks for accuracy.
• Coordinate with higher-level offices on potential appeals and litigation strategies.
• Organize and index legal documents, exhibits, and references for hearings or trials.

Education

Bachelor's degree or graduate education

Graduate education for GS-9/11

Job description

Serving in the Northern District of Indiana means being part of a mission-driven federal team dedicated to justice across a dynamic region. Our district spans vibrant communities from Northwest Indiana through South Bend and eastward to Fort Wayne, offering both metropolitan access and a strong sense of local connection. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

GS-7: To be eligible at the GS-7 level, you must meet at least ONE (1) of the following conditions, as defined below:

Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence. Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: assists in the preparation and organization of documentation and evidence for production as discovery and for use in trial; compiles, organizes, and indexes evidentiary exhibits for use at hearings or trial; prepares draft list of exhibits to be offered at trial; review legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; and utilizing various computerized data base programs to organize extensive documents.

-OR- Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education (18 semester hours or the number of units your school uses to describe one graduate year of academic study) in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, Law) leading to a master's degree OR completed bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. See education section for superior academic achievement definition.

-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 combined education and experience, candidates must demonstrate a combination of specialized experienced and graduate-level education that equals 100% of the requirements.

GS-9: To be eligible at the GS9 level, you must meet at least ONE (1) of the following conditions, as defined below:

Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing legal research using statutes, case law, regulations, court rules, treatises, policy documents, and electronic databases such as Westlaw and Lexis. Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: summarizing findings into memoranda, annotated references, bibliographies, and organized research packages to support appellate litigation; drafting pleadings, memoranda, briefs, motions, and other legal documents by incorporating legal references, analyzing precedents, proofreading, and citation checks for accuracy; assisting with oral-argument preparation by gathering and indexing briefs, case law, and record materials under established procedures.

-OR- Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): 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 (1) of the following conditions, as defined below:

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: performing research, evaluation, and analysis of specialized legal topics and points of law involving defending criminal convictions and civil judgments, bringing affirmative appeals, preparing briefs, and assisting in the presentation of oral arguments before appellate courts; working on matters that require coordination with higher-level legal offices on potential appeals, petitions for rehearing, and litigation before higher appellate courts; identifying emerging legal issues and adjusting research strategies.

-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., if related. 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/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.