Supervisory Paralegal Specialist

Customs and Border Protection; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security, seeks qualified candidates for a GS-13 level position in the New Orleans Field Office. The role involves evaluating evidence, making determinations, and handling seizure-related casework under federal regulations.

The position requires documentation of findings, legal research, and training staff as part of performance standards. Residency and background requirements apply, with a one-year probationary period for new

Qualifications

• You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Planning and documenting findings of fact, conclusions of law, penalty assessments, and case recommendations for review.
• Evaluating evidence and making determinations within mitigation guidelines, policies, laws, and regulations, and collaborators' participation in partnership programs.
• Reviewing and determining the presence of probable cause and the acceptability of evidence.

Responsibilities

• Preparing final decision letters and referral packages, and litigation requests.
• Providing training and guidance to staff by assigning work and developing performance standards.
• Conducting legal and factual research and handling Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures casework under related laws.

Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, New Orleans Field Office, Area Port of New Orleans, LA. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Experience:

You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Preparing final decision letters, referral packages, and litigation requests by documenting findings of fact, conclusions of law, penalty assessments, and case recommendations for review
• Evaluating all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases and makes determinations and recommendations as appropriate within the requirements of the mitigation guidelines, policies, laws and regulations, and violators' participation in partnership programs
• Reviewing and making determinations as to the presence of probable cause and/or the acceptability of evidence and/or acceptability of evidence
• Providing training and guidance to staff by assigning work based on priorities and employee capabilities, developing performance standards, evaluating performance, identifying training needs, resolving employee concerns, and recommending personnel actions
• Conducting legal and factual research, perform Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures casework involving the initiation, review, adjudication, or recommendation of decisions on seizure, penalty, forfeiture, and liquidated damages under related laws and regulations.

NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements.

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

You must:

• Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
• Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 09/29/2026.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Background Investigation:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers

Residency:

There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions:

• Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
• A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
• Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
• Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government

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.

Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Eligibles:

If you have never worked for the federal government, you are not CTAP/ICTAP eligible. View information about CTAP/ICTAP eligibility on OPM's Career Transition Resources website. To be considered well qualified under CTAP/ICTAP, you must be rated at a minimum score of 85 for this position. In addition, you must submit the supporting documents listed under the Required Documents section of this announcement.