Paralegal Specialist

Quick Facts

• Role: Paralegal Specialist (career ladder opportunity; full performance level GS-11)
• Focus: Legal support for criminal prosecutions and grand jury investigations

Description

As a Paralegal Specialist in the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, you will provide legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys handling federally cognizable criminal cases. The role includes drafting substantive legal documents, conducting witness/agent interviews, performing legal research and analysis, and managing litigation and court presentation materials. Responsibilities increase in complexity as training and experience progress.

Responsibilities

• Prepare substantive legal documents for criminal cases
• Conduct interviews of agents and potential witnesses
• Research and analyze relevant legal precedents; summarize applicability to assigned cases
• Provide legal assistance and technical work requiring specialized knowledge
• Provide litigative case management and organize cases for court presentation
• Monitor progress of pending cases
• Serve as contact person for assigned cases
• Compile, organize, and index discovery and evidence exhibits for trial
• Provide advice to attorneys and other legal support staff
• Use personal computer-based software systems

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or National
• Satisfactory pre-employment adjudication (fingerprint, credit and tax checks, drug testing) and continued favorable background investigation
• Selective Service registration as applicable
• Meet qualification requirements at the closing date
• May be required to complete a one-year probationary period

Qualifications (GS-09 or GS-11)

• GS-09: 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 OR qualifying J.D./LL.B./master’s OR two years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a relevant field OR a combination totaling 100% of requirements
• GS-11: 1 year specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 independently performing analytical paralegal/legal work OR qualifying LL.M./Ph.D. OR three years of progressively higher-level graduate education OR a combination totaling 100% of requirements

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal benefits package including paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System
• Relocation expenses not authorized