Paralegal Specialist

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System•Grand Prairie, TX

20h

About The Position

The Paralegal Specialist serves in a Federal Bureau of Prisons Regional Office and performs legal research and analysis in support of the Regional Legal Office. The role includes preparing draft responses to Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests and tort claims; assisting with litigation preparation; analyzing facts; recommending courses of action; drafting or examining legal documents related to bureau activities; and interpreting statutes, rules, regulations, and new legislation. The specialist determines whether submissions are filed under the correct statute and advises institution staff, Consolidated Legal Center staff, and claimants about alternatives when a claim may be more appropriately filed under another statute. The role independently receives, reviews, and analyzes lawsuits and complaints involving the Federal Tort Claims Act, FOIA/PA, constitutional claims, habeas corpus, mandamus, the Administrative Procedure Act, and other matters related to the custodial environment or bureau operations. The specialist also keeps Regional Counsel, Deputy Regional Counsel, and other employees informed of relevant policy and legal changes. As with other correctional institution employees, the incumbent is responsible for maintaining institutional security. Correctional responsibilities take precedence over other duties and are performed regularly and recurrently.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required.
Meet the applicable education or specialized-experience qualification for the grade level. GL-09 education options include a related master's or equivalent graduate degree, two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.B. or J.D. GS-11 education options include a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or a related LL.M.
Alternatively, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Specialized experience may include legal research and analysis; researching exemptions, case law, regulations, and precedents; preparing investigative reports, position papers, pleadings, and other legal documents; reviewing legal instruments; gathering and evaluating records; and developing responses to FOIA/PA requests and litigation.
Submit legible transcripts through USAJOBS when education is used to meet or substitute for specialized experience; academic degrees and coursework must be from an appropriately accredited institution.
Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation; applicants are also subject to NCIC and credit checks.
For eligibility for secondary law-enforcement coverage, meet applicable service requirements; current federal law-enforcement employees who have not completed ICT Phase I and II must complete those courses after entering the position.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal research using statutes, regulations, and Department of Justice Orders to prepare draft responses to FOIA/PA requests and tort claims.
Assist with litigation preparation, analyze facts, recommend courses of action, and draft or examine legal documents related to bureau activities.
Interpret statutes, rules, regulations, and new legislation.
Determine whether submissions are filed under the correct statute and advise institution staff, Consolidated Legal Center staff, and claimants about alternatives when appropriate.
Independently receive, review, and analyze suits and complaints under the Federal Tort Claims Act, FOIA/PA, and other applicable legal authorities, including constitutional complaints, habeas corpus, mandamus, and the Administrative Procedure Act.
Update and alert Regional Counsel, Deputy Regional Counsel, and other employees to relevant changes in policy and law.
Maintain institutional security and carry out correctional responsibilities, which take precedence over other duties and are performed regularly and recurrently.