Paralegal Specialist - Pathways Recent Graduate

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys in Washington, DC seeks a GS-07 Paralegal Specialist to support legal research and documentation across divisions.

Requirements include one year of specialized experience at the GS-05 level or related graduate education; successful completion of a background investigation; and typing speed of 40 words per minute.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-05 level or graduate education related to the position.
• Experience in legal research to verify citations and statutes.
• Assist in preparing legal documents.
• Use information technology to develop, prepare and monitor reports.
• Communicate with management, office personnel, court staff, law enforcement and the public.
• Assist with managing discovery and evidence.

Skills

Legal research

Legal documentation

Communication

Discovery management

IT for reporting

Education

Graduate education in related field

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides. On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes. The Civil Division further defends the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia.

To be eligible for a recent graduate appointment, ALL of the following requirements must be met:

• Recent Graduates must have obtained a qualifying associates, bachelors, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying accredited educational institution within the previous 2 years unless military service interfered with a veteran's eligibility to apply during that two year time frame. Veterans meeting the above exclusion may apply within 2 years of discharge or 6 years from the date of receipt of the degree whichever comes first. (Go to http://www.ed.gov/accreditation?src=rn to verify accreditation status).
• Recent graduates must be United States citizens or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. (Currently, natives of American Samoa, Swains Island and certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are the only groups that owe permanent allegiance to the United States.)
• You must successfully complete a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
• All recent graduates are required to sign a Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement.
• Recent Graduates serve a trial period for the entire duration of their excepted service appointment.
• Qualification requirements as outlined below:

To be qualified for the GS-07 Paralegal Specialist, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal Service; or one year of graduate level education, if related; Superior Academic Achievement; or a combination of specialized experience and education.

Specialized Experience

Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience is defined as conducting legal research to verify citation and statutory references; assisting in preparing legal documentation; utilizing information technology to develop, prepare and monitor reports; communicating with management, office personnel, court staff, law enforcement and the public; assisting with managing discovery and evidence in electronic and hard copy formats.

Education

Education: one full year of graduate level education in related field. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Education at the graduate level must have be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Superior Academic Achievement

Superior Academic Achievement: Possess a Bachelor's Degree AND possess at least one of the following criteria: class standing in the upper third of the graduating class; an overall GPA of 3.0 OR at least a 3.0 based on courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; a GPA of at least 3.5 based on the average of required courses completed in my major field OR based on the average of required courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.

Combining Education and Experience

Combining Education and Experience: a combination of specialized experience and graduate education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To be qualified, you must type at least 40 words per minute based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors. (A typing test may later be required.)