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 applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 25-INS-12791854-MS.
GS-7: To be eligible at the GS-7 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized experience, education, OR a combination of education and experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a basic knowledge of legal research and ability to interpret legal decisions, processing a variety of legal documents, conducting research, analysis, and evaluation of data in response to requests; drafting briefs, pleading litigation recommendations or other legal documents and correspondence; using 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 year of graduate education in an accredited college or university. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be 18 semester hours. Superior Academic Achievement as follows: To be eligible for SAA you must have one of the following. 1. A standing in the upper third of your college class or major subdivision at the time you apply. 2. A grade point average of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed; (a) at the time of application; or (b) during the last two years of undergraduate curriculum. 3. A "B+" (3.5 on a 4.0 scale) or its equivalent for all courses completed in a qualifying major field of study, either; (a) at the time of application; or (b) during the last 2 years of your undergraduate curriculum. 4. Election to membership in one of the national honorary societies (other than freshman societies). 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. GS-9: To be eligible for the GS-9, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized experience, education, OR a combination of education and experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal service. Examples of qualifying experience include performing the following types of duties: examining and processing a variety of legal documents; conducting research, analysis, and evaluation of data in response to requests; drafting legal documents and correspondence; using automated legal research tools and public information databases to research case-specific legal matters; managing discovery; and using automated litigation support technology to organize case information for retrieval, prepare computerized trial presentations, and index digital evidence. Education: Possess one of the following types of education in a related field: a J.D. or LL.B; OR a Master's or equivalent graduate degree or higher; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. (Only graduate education in excess of 1 full year is creditable.) 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/.
If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team in the Civil Division providing a variety of legal support services. The position supports the civil litigation functions of the USAO, including but not limited to state court and federal foreclosures, financial litigation, and defensive and affirmative litigation. Typical work assignments will include: As a Paralegal Specialist in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), you will: Assist Assistant United States Attorneys in developing legal strategy to recover debts on behalf of crime victims and the United States. Review, summarize and outline enforcement action regarding criminal and civil debts and make recommendations on appropriate legal action. Maintain contact and conduct interviews with debtors, state and local personnel, court personnel, and agency officials. Conduct financial investigations and analyze data and information to determine appropriate legal action. Draft a variety of substantive documents to include correspondence, motions, and other legal documents necessary to effect pre-judgment and post-judgment actions regarding debts owed to the U.S. government. Make decisions for debt viability and referral of claims to the originating agency. Monitor progress of pending court cases and assist Assistant United States Attorneys to ensure legal pleadings, forms, reports and other documents are prepared and submitted within deadlines. Review the output of various databases and automated tracking systems to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the office's overall debt collection operation. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.