Summary
Are you interested in a rewarding and challenging career? Join the U.S. Department of Justice!
These positions will be centrally managed by the Professional Development Office (PDO) of the Civil Rights Division. The incumbent will perform legal and factual research and other closely related duties of a complex nature in support of attorneys engaged in civil rights cases and matters.
Duties
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
If selected as a Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-7, typical work assignments may vary based upon the needs of the individual sections, their practice areas, and a host of other factors. Typical assignments, however, can include:
- Reviews, processes, and prepares documents covering diverse and complex legal issues or problems, such as carrying out case development and documentation activities as a case progresses.
- Prepares correspondence, memoranda, justification, and other written documentation involved in providing information about the researched aspects of the cases or issues.
- Reviews and analyzes investigative reports to determine if a particular case is supported by sufficient evidence to provide a basis for prosecution.
- Conducts legal research of substantial variety and complexity, such as procurement related matters, employee garnishments, jury duty waivers, investigation of claims, litigation, and conflicts of interest.
- Conducts or assists attorneys in conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- Must be a U.S. Citizen.
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
- DOJ uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, by visiting www.e-verify.gov/.
- You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening to initiate your background investigation, which includes a drug screening. Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion and adjudication of your investigation.
- Only experience obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
- This is a term appointment. The initial term appointment will not exceed (NTE) 13 months. The initial term appointment may be extended up to the 4-year limit.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess and demonstrate in their application packages that they meet the following minimum qualifications:
To be eligible at the GS 7 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below:
Specialized Experience Requirements
For the GS-07, you must have one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, public or other private sectors that is directly related to the position as listed above and which has equipped the candidate with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position includes ALL of the following:
-drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence; AND
-assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; AND
-reviewing legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; AND
-verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; AND
-utilizing various computerized database programs to organize extensive documents.
OR
You may substitute education for experience as follows:
Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher level graduate education (18 semester hours or the number of units your school uses to describe one graduate year of academic study) leading to a master's degree; or LL.B. or JD;
OR
A bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. Superior academic achievement is as follows:
(1) standing in the upper third of your graduating class or major subdivision; or
(2) membership in one of the qualifying National Scholastic Honor Societies; or
(3) Grade Point Average. Applicants must have a grade point average of:
(a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
(b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
OR
You may qualify on a combination of education and experience:
Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, a combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education as described above, which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours then divide the total number of your graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your 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%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.)
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, a combination of specialized experience and graduate-level education as described above, which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours then divide the total number of your graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your 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%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.)
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.
A transcript must be submitted to receive consideration.
Note: Current students may apply if they are in the final semester of degree/certificate program. You must include your expected date of graduation on your resume. You must receive your degree prior to appointment. If you are currently a student but cannot provide proof that you expect to graduate by the end of the current semester, you will not receive consideration.
Education
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.
You will need to submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and/or semester hours earned, degree earned and confer dates. Failure to provide this documentation will result in objection to your qualifications, and removal from consideration. You will be required to submit your official college transcript if you are selected.
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Click here to check accreditation.
Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation.
All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement.
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
- Attention to Detail
- Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Stress Tolerance
Please Note: If you meet the qualifications required for the job, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Assessment. The invitation to the USA Hire Assessment will be sent from email address: assessments@USAHire.opm.gov. You must complete the USA Hire Assessment within (48 hours) hours of being sent the email invitation to be eligible for this job. Your results will be kept on record for use when applying for future jobs that require this USA Hire Assessment. You will not be allowed to re-take it for one year.
It is important that you monitor your email daily, after you apply for the job so you don't miss the invitation. If you accidentally delete the invitation to the USA Hire Assessment or otherwise need the information re-sent (e.g., you feel you have not received it due to a SPAM filter), you should immediately contact helpdesk@usahire.opm.gov to request the invitation to be re-sent. Requests to re-send invitations to the USA Hire Assessment must be received by helpdesk@usahire.opm.gov. BEFORE expiration of the (48 hours) window described above. Please also monitor your Spam/Junk email folder to ensure you do not miss the link to take the USA Hire Assessment. If you do not meet the qualifications required for the job, you will not receive an invitation to complete the USA Hire Assessment. If you are found ineligible for the position:
- You will receive an email message notifying you of your ineligibility.
- Your USAJOBS account will be updated to reflect your ineligibility for the position.
- You will not be considered further for the position.
*Note: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if identical vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.
Required Documents
You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes
- Required, Resume - All Applicants: To receive credit for experience contained in your resume, your employment history must include the start and end dates in the month and year format (MM/YYYY), and include the number of hours worked per week. Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Failure to provide details will result in an ineligible rating. (Cover letter optional). Please see - "USAJOBS - What should I leave out of my resume?" for specific information on what to leave out of your resume. Your latest resume submitted for this vacancy announcement will be used to determine qualifications and supersedes previous submissions.
- Required: A complete Occupational Questionnaire
- Required, if qualifying based on education: An unofficial college transcript (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Qualifications" section of this vacancy announcement.
- Required, if you are applying as a Schedule (A) applicant: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). This letter must be separate from any Veterans Preference documentation. If you are selected and your Schedule A letter is more than three years old, you will be asked to provide an updated letter. See "Sample" Letter.
Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as:
Veterans Preference Documentation:
- If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
- If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
- If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF-15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15. You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from www.ebenefits.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000 to establish proof of disability.
If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
Suitability
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test, which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/26/2024 to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59PM (ET) on 09/26/2024.
4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements (https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=USA_Hire_System_Requirements).
6. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.
To update any portion of your application other than the assessment questionnaire at any time during the announcement open period, you may return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12543831
Next steps
If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, you will receive an email from assessments@USAHire.opm.gov with a link to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. This assessment must be completed within 48 hours after the close of this JOA. If you have not received the link to the assessment within 24 hours of the closing date and you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, you should contact HelpDesk@USAHire.opm.gov to request the invitation to be re-sent.
Based on your qualifications and assessment scores, after a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
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