Paralegal Specialist (Indian Country)

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys•Helena, MT

About The Position

The Paralegal Specialist serves in the Indian Country Department of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana. The role organizes and prepares research materials, identifies information relevant to cases, and drafts legal documents addressing legal or factual issues, relevant precedents, and supportable conclusions. The specialist may assist Assistant United States Attorneys in court during hearings and trials, and participates in pre-trial witness conferences to identify deficiencies in case materials and issues requiring further investigation. The role also determines which statutes, regulations, cases, procedures, and policies need to be researched and assembled, prepares initial summaries, and recommends whether the gathered information is appropriate. Responsibilities and assignment complexity increase with training and experience. The position is announced at GS-09 and GS-11. Qualification may be met through specialized experience, qualifying graduate education, or an applicable combination of education and experience. The position requires U.S. citizenship or nationality, satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, and continued favorable adjudication of a background investigation. Fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks are part of the initial adjudication. Selective Service registration is required where applicable, and a one-year probationary period may be required. The Department of Justice offers a benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. A recruitment or relocation incentive may be considered based on qualifications; relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Requirements

U.S. citizen or national.
Meet GS-09 or GS-11 qualification requirements through specialized experience, education, or a qualifying combination of education and experience.
For GS-09 specialized experience: one year equivalent to GS-07 performing paralegal or legal work demonstrating basic legal research knowledge and the ability to interpret legal decisions; alternatively, qualifying graduate education in a related field or an eligible combination of graduate education and experience.
For GS-11 specialized experience: one year equivalent to GS-09 performing analytical paralegal or legal work demonstrating practical knowledge of law, litigation and judicial processes, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; alternatively, qualifying graduate education in a related field or an eligible combination of graduate education and experience.
Graduate education used to qualify must be from an accredited college or university and demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties.
Successfully complete pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks; continued employment is subject to favorable background investigation adjudication.
Register for Selective Service if applicable.
Complete a one-year probationary period if required.
Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.
Academic degrees and coursework must be from an appropriately accredited or pre-accredited institution; foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. accredited education, with required documentation in English or accompanied by an English translation.

Responsibilities

Organize and prepare research materials and determine information pertinent to cases.
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, as needed.
Participate in pre-trial witness conferences and identify deficiencies in case materials and issues requiring investigation before trial.
Determine which statutes, regulations, cases, procedures, and policies need to be researched and assembled; prepare initial summaries and recommendations about the appropriateness of the information.
As training and experience progress, take on more complex assignments.