Paralegal Specialist

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys • Fargo, ND

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About The Position

The Paralegal Specialist provides substantive legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in specialized litigation related to investigations and prosecutions of Indian Country crimes, including cases involving unique and novel legal issues. The work requires discretion and independent judgment in applying specialized knowledge of laws, regulations, precedents, and agency practices, and can directly affect the outcome of USAO cases. Responsibilities increase in complexity as training and experience progress.

The position requires either one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in analytical paralegal or legal work, qualifying graduate education in a related field, or an allowable combination of graduate education and experience. The appointment is subject to pre-employment checks and a favorable background investigation; a one-year probationary period may be required. Relocation expenses are not authorized, though a recruitment or relocation incentive may be considered. The Department of Justice offers a federal benefits package.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or nationality.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level performing analytical paralegal or legal work demonstrating practical knowledge of law, litigation and judicial processes, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; or qualifying graduate education in a related field; or an eligible combination of graduate education and experience.
• Qualifying education must be completed at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. accredited education.
• Meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
• Meet time-in-grade requirements if a current federal employee, and meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within the stated deadlines.
• Satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks, and a favorable background investigation for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research on laws, court or administrative decisions, and interpretations related to Indian Country crimes.
• Organize and prepare research materials and determine which information is pertinent to a case.
• Draft legal documents identifying legal or factual issues, locating precedents, and developing legally supportable conclusions.
• Assist Assistant United States Attorneys in court during hearings and trials.
• Participate in pre-trial witness conferences and identify deficiencies in case materials and other matters requiring investigation before trial.
• Determine which statutes, regulations, cases, procedures, or policies need to be researched and assembled; prepare an initial summary and recommend whether the data is appropriate.

Benefits

• Paid vacation
• Sick leave
• Holidays
• Telework
• Life insurance
• Health benefits
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be considered, as appropriate, based on qualifications

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree