Paralegal Specialist

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys • Miami, FL

5d

About The Position

The Paralegal Specialist serves in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, providing legal support to Assistant U.S. Attorneys in recurring litigation activities. The position involves researching and analyzing legal issues, preparing legal documents and evidence, and supporting pretrial and trial work. Duties and assignments become more complex as training and experience progress.

The role requires knowledge of laws, court decisions, and interpretations relating to U.S. Magistrate Court proceedings. The incumbent uses online legal systems and other sources to research statutes, legal and factual issues, and information relevant to resolving cases. The position is available at the GS-9 or GS-11 level, with qualification pathways based on specialized experience, graduate education, or a combination of both.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
• Must meet the qualification requirements for the GS-9 or GS-11 level through specialized experience, education, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
• For GS-9 specialized experience: one year equivalent to GS-7 performing paralegal or legal work demonstrating basic legal research knowledge and ability to interpret legal decisions; examples include processing legal documents, conducting research and evaluating data, drafting legal documents, using filing systems, documenting findings, or searching legal references and case files.
• For GS-9 education: a related-field master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience.
• For GS-11 specialized experience: one year equivalent to GS-9 performing analytical paralegal or legal work demonstrating practical knowledge of law, litigation and judicial processes, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; examples include evaluating legal decisions and case files, conducting precedent research, composing briefs and pretrial documents, interviewing witnesses, or preparing evidence and documents.
• For GS-11 education: a related-field doctoral degree, three years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, an LL.M., or a qualifying combination of graduate education and experience.
• Graduate education used to qualify must be in an accredited college or university and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the position.
• Must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the announcement closing date and before placement.
• Federal employees must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the announcement closing date.
• Must complete satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, and tax checks and drug testing; continued employment depends on favorable background adjudication.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
• Academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. accredited education, with documentation in English or accompanied by an English translation.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of legal reference materials and ability to perform extensive legal research specializing in asset forfeiture.

Responsibilities

• Use knowledge of laws, court and administrative decisions, and interpretations relevant to U.S. Magistrate Court proceedings.
• Use online legal systems and research state and federal statutes, legal and factual issues, and other sources relevant to resolving issues.
• Independently conduct extensive legal research into legislative history, precedent cases, decisions, and opinions applicable to legal matters.
• Prepare documents analyzing technical evidence or questions that arise during litigation and reconciling conflicting policies and facts.
• Draft legal documents addressing legislative history, precedent cases, decisions, and opinions relevant to legal matters.
• Prepare and organize voluminous documentation and evidence for discovery production and trial.
• Identify and locate missing information.
• Review administrative records and discovery productions for privileged and other content requiring redaction.
• Participate in pretrial witness conferences and note deficiencies in case materials and additional matters requiring investigation before trial.
• Examine and evaluate case-file information in accordance with agency standards regarding litigation worthiness and applicable titles of law.

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Holidays
• Telework
• Life insurance
• Health benefits
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System
• Potential relocation or recruitment incentive, subject to authorization and applicable conditions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level