Paralegal Specialist

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (3) of the (5) duties listed below: Supporting attorneys with criminal investigations, grand jury proceedings, case preparation, and trial activities. Researching legal and factual issues and preparing warrants, subpoenas, motions, complaints, and other legal documents for attorney review. Reviewing, organizing, redacting, and maintaining discovery materials and evidence in accordance with court rules and procedures. Using automated litigation systems to manage electronic case information, prepare exhibits, track deadlines, and maintain case files. Assisting, under general supervision, with witness interviews, trial preparation, courtroom presentation materials, exhibit management, case tracking, and the closure and archiving of litigation case files for routine or moderately complex cases using established procedures. OR Education: Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR LL. B or J.D., in a related field of study to the position (e.g., Paralegal Studies, Political Science, Law, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies). Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position OR Combination of Experience and Education: Graduate level education can be used if, when combined, are equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate level education in excess of the first full year can be used in this calculation. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of specialized experience, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors) performing (4) of the (5) duties listed below: Providing legal and technical support to attorneys handling complex criminal investigations, grand jury matters, or prosecutions. Conducting legal and factual research and preparing substantive legal documents, such as motions, subpoenas, complaints, indictments, search warrants, arrest warrants, or other court filings. Preparing, reviewing, organizing, redacting, and maintaining discovery materials in accordance with federal laws, court rules, protective orders, and established procedures. Using automated litigation support systems to search, analyze, organize, retrieve, and present large volumes of electronic evidence and case information. Independently coordinating and providing advanced litigation support for complex or sensitive cases involving witness interviews, trial preparation, courtroom presentation materials and technology, exhibit management, case tracking, and the closure and archiving of litigation case files, including resolving unusual procedural or case-management issues. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR an LL.M., in a related field of study to the position (e.g., Paralegal Studies, Political Science, Law, Criminal Justice, Forensic Studies). Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR Combination of Experience and Education: Graduate level education can be used if, when combined, are equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years can be used in this calculation. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 36 semester hours (or your school's definition of two years of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of specialized experience, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases).