Paralegal Specialist

Offices, Boards and Divisions • Washington, DC

9d

About The Position

This position is in the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. The Paralegal Specialist performs legal and factual research and related work in support of attorneys handling civil rights cases and matters. Assignments may vary according to the needs of individual sections and their practice areas. At the GS-7 level, work may include researching and analyzing data, issues, and information to support recommendations or the work of higher-grade specialists; interacting with colleagues and supervisors to complete assignments; presenting facts and positions with appropriate diplomacy and emphasis; and applying relevant regulations and style manuals when preparing written materials.

This is a term appointment initially not to exceed 13 months, with the possibility of extension up to a four-year limit. A one-year probationary period may be required. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and meet the stated qualification requirements by the announcement closing date. The resume must not exceed two pages.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• For GS-7 specialized-experience qualification, one year of experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to GS-5, including all of the following: reviewing legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; assisting with trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing evidentiary exhibits; and verifying citations and statutory references in legal documents.
• Alternatively, qualify through one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master’s degree (18 semester hours or the school’s equivalent), an LL.B. or J.D., or a bachelor’s degree with superior academic achievement.
• Alternatively, a combination of qualifying specialized experience and graduate education may be used when it totals 100% of the requirements; only graduate education beyond the first full year may count toward the combination.
• Applicants relying on education must submit transcript documentation. Degrees and coursework must be from an appropriately accredited college or university; foreign education must be evaluated as equivalent or receive full credit at a U.S.-accredited institution.
• All qualifications and education requirements must be met by the announcement closing date and documented in the resume. Experience used for qualification must include the month and year each position began and ended.
• The resume cannot exceed two pages.
• A pre-employment security screening, including drug screening, may be required; continued employment depends on successful completion and adjudication of the investigation.
• A one-year probationary period may be required.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Applicants must complete any required degree before submitting an application.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze data, issues, and information to support project recommendations or the work assignments of higher-grade specialists.
• Interact regularly with colleagues and supervisors to complete work assignments.
• Present facts, issues, and positions clearly, using appropriate diplomacy and emphasis.
• Interpret and apply relevant regulations and style manuals when preparing written materials.
• Support attorneys engaged in civil rights cases and matters through legal and factual research and related duties.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed