Paralegal Specialist

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys•Charleston, WV

About The Position

The Paralegal Specialist serves in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, supporting cases involving financial crimes. The role conducts legal research, organizes and prepares case materials, drafts legal documents, and assists Assistant United States Attorneys in hearings and trials. It also supports pre-trial preparation by participating in witness conferences and identifying deficiencies or issues in case materials that may require further investigation.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or nationality.
Meet the GS-11 qualification requirements through at least one of the following: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09; qualifying graduate education; or a combination of qualifying education and experience.
Specialized experience, if used, includes analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify issues or evidence; conducting legal research on court decisions and precedents; composing legal briefs, summaries, or pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and other individuals; and assisting with trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing evidentiary exhibits.
Qualifying education, if used, includes a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a related field. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the position.
For a combination of education and experience, graduate education must be in excess of two full years.
Degrees and coursework must be completed at an accredited or pre-accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be shown to be comparable to U.S. accredited education, with supporting credential evaluation documentation.
Satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing; continued employment is subject to a favorable background investigation.
Register for Selective Service if applicable.
May be required to complete a one-year probationary period.
Meet all qualification requirements by the announcement closing date.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal research using in-depth knowledge of laws, court or administrative decisions, and interpretations related to financial 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, additional issues, or other matters requiring investigation before trial.