Summary
The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch Civil Division is seeking highly skilled candidates with significant experience to serve as Paralegal Specialists. The incumbents will perform legal research, manage electronically stored information, and provide direct support to attorneys, including trial preparation and in-court presentation of electronic evidence through databases, including Sanction.
Duties
NOTE: The closing date on this vacancy has been extended until Tuesday, August 25, 2026 The duties and responsibilities for a GS-0201-09/11 Paralegal Specialist generally include, but are not limited to, the following: GS-09: Conducts basic and legal research for assigned cases. Reviews and analyzes prior case materials to become familiar with questions under consideration. Uses electronic databases and other electronic means to perform various litigation support tasks, including organizing, indexing, and summarizing documents, files, and other material. Utilizes the court's electronic case filing program and applies knowledge of the applicable local court rules and procedures for preparing and filing legal documents, including preparing documents for and running tables of contents, tables of authorities, and other required elements. Retrieves cases and searches legal reference files for information and dates required. Uses LEXIS and WESTLAW cite-checking features to verify citations and legal references in prepared Assists with preparing, editing, and updating office reports on litigation status. and other topics. Drafts and revises other non-legal memoranda and reports. Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority. GS-11: Conducts factual and legal research in a variety of legal and non-legal reference sources and databases and provides information in response to questions of moderate variety and complexity. Drafts memoranda and comprehensive written reports that serve as the basis for developing critical legal arguments, recommendations, or opinions. Independently conducts legal research on statutes, legislative history, regulations, and administrative and judicial precedents, including research in specialized areas requiring examination of esoteric sources and issues of first impression. Provides technical support to attorneys during deposition and trial. Ensures that pleadings, exhibits, trial notebooks and similar materials are prepared and ready for trial and evidentiary hearings. Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority. Supports attorneys in developing and managing evidence pertaining to all aspects of litigation, including investigations, pre-trial discovery, and interviews with investigative sources and witnesses. Prepares and organizes evidence for production in discovery and for use in trial. Codes and indexes discovery documents using legal case management software such as Relativity, Concordance, and Summation. Drafts discovery requests, subpoenas, stipulations, and affidavits and other documents necessary for evidentiary development. Prepares witness binders and for use during investigations, depositions, hearings, and trial. Prepares trial exhibits such as statistical charts, graphs, timelines, and maps to be presented in court. Provides technical assistance and logistical support to trial attorneys and witnesses in preparation for evidential hearings and trials and in the courtroom. Utilizes the court's electronic case filing program and applies knowledge of the applicable local court rules and procedures for preparing and filing legal documents, including preparing documents for and running tables of contents, tables of authorities, and other required elements. Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.
Education
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below. Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, in order for it to be creditable towards your qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from accredited institution. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
How you will be evaluated
Once the announcement closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. This information will be compared against your responses to the application questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position. If a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible. BASIS OF RATING: DOJ's Merit Promotion Procedures will be used to evaluate candidates. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and other characteristics): Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. Qualified applications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the highest qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Applicants must receive a cut score of 85 to be considered. If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13030094