Paralegal Specialist

Description:

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/ .

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 25-CAC12756354-DE.

Requirements:

GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least one of the following conditions as defined below: Specialize Experience, Education or a combination of Education and Experience.
Specialize Experience : One full year of specialize experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal service.
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. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of specialized experience, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least one of the following conditions as defined below: Specialize Experience, Education or a combination of Education and Experience.
Specialize Experience : One full year of specialize experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in Federal service. 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 analysis 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. Education as the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university.

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.