Paralegal Specialist (Immigration)

US-Executive-Office-For-U.S.-Attorneys-and-the-Office-of-the-U.S.-Attorneys-; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice is seeking candidates for a term position (not-to-exceed 9/30/2029) within the United States Attorneys' Offices. The role requires experience in legal drafting, evidence handling, and legal research to support trial preparation.

Qualifications span GS-7 to GS-11 levels with education and experience requirements outlined in the posting, including superior academic achievement for higher grades.

Qualifications

• GS-7 requires 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5 level.
• Specialized experience includes drafting legal documents and organizing documentation for production and trial.
• Verifying citations and using databases to organize documents.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and evaluate legal decisions and case files to identify issues.
• Draft briefs, pleadings, and pre-trial documents.
• Interview witnesses and collect information for attorneys or court personnel.

Skills

Legal research

Document drafting

Evidence organization

Exhibit preparation

Citation checking

Data base use

Education

Master's or higher in Criminal Justice/Law

Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement

Graduate education in related field

Tools

Legal research databases

Electronic filing systems

Job description

This is a term position not-to-exceed 9/30/2029. This position may be extended, or made permanent, without further advertising.

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; 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. Superior Academic Achievement is defined as follows: standing in the upper third of your graduating class or major subdivision, OR membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies, OR obtaining a sufficient grade point average, defined as the following. Applicants must have a grade point average of: (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

-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 experiencedand graduate-level education that equals 100% of the requirements.

GS-9:

To be eligible at the GS-9 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 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; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

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.

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: 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; and preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations.

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.

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.

The complete Qualification Standards used for this position may be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-ADMIN.

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/.