Paralegal Specialist

Customs and Border Protection•Selfridge ANG Base, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Detroit Sector, Law Enforcement Operations, at Selfridge ANG Base, Michigan. The Paralegal Specialist assists a supervisor and Asset Forfeiture Officers in developing, evaluating, analyzing, and interpreting program management policies to resolve complex problems of national and international significance and impact. The position is advertised at GS-11 through GS-12, with a salary range of $82,372 to $128,350 and promotion potential to GS-12, Step 10. The selectee must attend and successfully complete three weeks of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Basic training in Charleston, South Carolina; successful completion may be a condition of employment. This is a bargaining-unit position represented by the National Border Patrol Council.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
Applicants not currently employed by CBP generally must have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years; qualifying exceptions may be considered.
All pre-employment processes are conducted in English.
May be required to pass a background investigation and drug testing.
Meet the GS-11 or GS-12 specialized experience requirements, or applicable education substitution and/or combination of education and experience; GS-12 has no education substitution.
GS-11 specialized experience: one year equivalent to the next lower grade, including reviewing and evaluating investigative reports and case records; evaluating petitions and evidence and determining grounds for relief; preparing final decision letters; and providing technical direction to lower-graded employees.
GS-12 specialized experience: one year equivalent to the next lower grade, including evaluating case evidence and circumstances to make determinations and recommendations; identifying defects, deficiencies, and trends in cases; using automated case-management systems; and developing guidance, training, and feedback for field personnel.
A resume must explicitly show how the applicant meets the experience requirement; resumes may not exceed two pages.
Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements by November 2, 2026, if applicable.
Successfully complete the required three-week Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Basic training if required as a condition of employment.
Employees new to the federal government must serve a one-year probationary period; current or former federal employees may also be required to serve or complete one.

Responsibilities

Review and adjudicate seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages within the Asset Forfeiture Officer's authority through resolution.
Ensure due-process considerations are met and that the elements necessary to establish a violation are present and supported by appropriate documentation.
Identify all parties with an interest or potential liability, ensure timely notice is provided, and ensure due-process requirements are met.
Compose written correspondence and briefings for internal and external stakeholders.
At the GS-11 level, review and evaluate investigative reports and case records; examine and evaluate petitions, assess evidence, determine grounds for relief, prepare final decision letters stating findings of fact and conclusions of law, and provide technical direction to lower-graded employees.
At the GS-12 level, evaluate evidence, facts, and circumstances in cases to make determinations and recommendations; identify case defects, deficiencies, and trends and refer defective or improperly documented cases for correction or cancellation; use automated systems to track case-management progress; and develop guidance, training, and feedback for field personnel on seizures, penalties, and fines.