Paralegal Specialist (Recent Graduate) - Natural Resources Section

Offices, Boards and Divisions; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice, Natural Resources Section (NRS) within the Energy and Natural Resources Division, seeks a paralegal to support its attorneys. This Recent Graduate program offers GS-9 level entry and focuses on research, writing, and information management in environmental and natural resources matters.

Eligibility includes an advanced degree or graduate study, plus relevant experience; applicants must complete education by Summer 2026 or be within the two-year window.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-7 level or above, including researching online, interpreting information, and producing written products; also uses computer software to organize and manage information.
• Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR two full academic years of graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D. qualifying education for the work.
• A combination of graduate education and experience meeting 100% of the qualification requirements.
• Experience and education completed by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide paralegal support to the Section's attorneys.
• Assist with legal research, document drafting, and case management as part of the ENRD Natural Resources Section.

Skills

Research

Legal writing

Information organization

Education

Master's degree or higher

Two years of graduate study

LL.B. or J.D.

Job description

This position is located in the Natural Resources Section (NRS), Energy and Natural Resources Division. NRS handles litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes, various treaties and international agreements, interstate compacts, and congressional referrals. This is an excepted service appointment under the DOJ Pathways Recent Graduates Program. The incumbent will provide paralegal support to the Section's attorneys.

To be eligible for this Recent Graduate program, one of the following requirements must be met

1. Recent graduates must have completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associate, bachelor, master, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution; or must have completed a qualifying career or technical education program with or without a formal degree in a Registered Apprentice Program, Job Corps, AmeriCorps, or Peace Corps.
2. You must have completed your degree, certificate, or program on or before the end of the Summer 2026 semester. If you graduated or completed an education program prior to September 2024, you will not be eligible for this position.
3. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, have as much as six years after degree completion to apply.

To qualify for the Paralegal Specialist (Recent Graduate) GS-9, applicants must have one of the following

• A. One year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-7 Federal grade level or above conducting research online, interpreting relevant information, and producing written products based on that research. This experience must also include using computer software applications to organize and manage information; OR
• B. Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR two (2) full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D. Qualifying education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position; OR
• C. A combination of graduate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.)

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 skill and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experiences, including volunteer experience.

Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered