Paralegal Specialist

Customs and Border Protection•Washington, DC

18d•$102,415 - $158,322

About The Position

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Trade, Trade Remedy Law Enforcement Directorate (TRLED), in Washington, DC. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions or units at the listed duty location. The position may be eligible for situational telework, consistent with agency policy. Under the supervision of the Branch Chief, the Paralegal Specialist performs legal and analytical work applying knowledge of legal principles and concepts of CBP and general law. The role involves analyzing complex issues, applying agency rules and regulations, preparing clear and concise statements of fact, and exercising sound judgment in reaching decisions. Duties include assessing allegations against regulatory and statutory requirements for investigations; establishing and maintaining electronic administrative records; documenting meetings and decisions in memorandums to the file; and providing legal analysis informed by case law, government policies, federal regulations, legal texts, and state and federal statutes. The position is offered at the GS-12 or GS-13 grade level. The stated salary range is $102,415.00 (GS-12, Step 1) to $158,322.00 (GS-13, Step 10), with pay potentially varying by locality or special pay rate. Selectees must successfully complete three weeks of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Basic training in Charleston, South Carolina, as required by CBP.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
For applicants not currently employed by CBP, physical residence in the United States or its protectorates for at least three of the last five years, unless eligible for a residency waiver.
Ability to complete all pre-employment processes in English.
Ability to pass a background investigation; CBP conducts a thorough investigation and asks about felony convictions or charges and illegal or non-prescribed controlled-substance use and related conduct.
Compliance with federal government ethics standards, including obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity after entering on duty when applicable.
GS-12: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, including conducting legal research; assisting with case preparation; analyzing and interpreting laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and precedent decisions; recommending case actions; and reviewing investigative reports, records, evidence, and related documentation.
GS-13: One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, including analyzing complex cases and applying agency rules and regulations to prepare clear, concise legal statements; developing and evaluating evidence, facts, and circumstances; reviewing and evaluating complex investigative reports and case records; and analyzing and interpreting laws, regulations, and CBP policies and procedures to provide authoritative advice to supervisors.
Resume must explicitly demonstrate how the applicant meets the applicable specialized-experience requirement.
Meet all qualification requirements and applicable time-in-grade requirements by October 19, 2026; current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band.
New federal government employees must serve a one-year probationary period; current or former federal employees may also be required to serve or complete a probationary period.
Submit the supporting documents listed in the announcement's Required Documents section.
Selectees may be required to successfully complete the required training as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

Intake and assess allegations for completeness against regulatory and statutory requirements for investigations.
Establish and maintain electronic administrative records for investigations.
Create memorandums to the file documenting meetings and decisions.
Provide legal analysis based on detailed knowledge of case law, government policies, federal regulations, legal texts, and state and federal statutes.
Conduct legal research using statutes, regulations, agency guidance, precedent decisions, court decisions, and other legal references to support case development and program operations.
Assist with case preparation by evaluating, organizing, and summarizing relevant legal and factual information, while ensuring sensitive or investigative information is lawfully released or withheld.
Analyze and interpret laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and precedent-setting decisions to identify applicable requirements and support case-action recommendations.
Recommend case actions to the supervisor, including cancellation or closure when analysis indicates no violation exists or further action is unsupported.
Review and evaluate investigative reports, case records, evidentiary materials, and related documentation to identify relevant facts, resolve inconsistencies, and support case determinations.
Develop and evaluate evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases.
Review and evaluate complex investigative reports and case records.
Provide authoritative advice to supervisors on laws, regulations, and CBP policies and procedures.
Attend and successfully complete three weeks of Fines, Penalties, and Forfeiture Basic training in Charleston, South Carolina, if required.