Paralegal Specialist (ACE)

Clarification from the agency

This recruitment is open to employees of the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Missouri.

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) is seeking a highly qualified Paralegal Specialist to support the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program within the Civil Division.

As a GS-12 Paralegal Specialist, you will serve as a senior litigation support professional providing advanced legal research, investigative support, case development, and program management assistance to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs).
This position requires extensive independent judgment, advanced legal research and writing skills, and the ability to coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies throughout all phases of litigation.

Duties:

As a Paralegal Specialist (Affirmative Civil Enforcement), you will:

• Conduct advanced legal research and analysis involving federal statutes, regulations, case law, and legislative history to support complex civil litigation.
• Analyze investigative findings, documentary evidence, and legal issues, providing recommendations to Assistant United States Attorneys regarding case development and litigation strategy.
• Develop and evaluate Affirmative Civil Enforcement referrals by identifying evidentiary gaps, recommending additional investigative steps, and assessing litigation readiness.
• Prepare legal documents, including complaints, motions, briefs, memoranda, settlement agreements, and other litigation-related pleadings.
• Organize, analyze, and manage large volumes of documentary and electronically stored evidence, coordinating discovery and preparing trial exhibits for hearings and trial.
• Conduct witness and investigator interviews, summarize testimony, and assist attorneys in preparing for depositions, hearings, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to support investigations, litigation, and enforcement activities.
• Monitor ACE program activities, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to litigation support processes and program operations.
• Provide technical guidance and training to attorneys and legal support staff on ACE procedures, litigation support systems, and case management practices.
• Utilize litigation support technology and automated systems to manage case information, develop reports, and support courtroom presentations.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
• You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience

To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing substantive paralegal work in support of complex affirmative civil litigation or investigations and includes conducting advanced legal research using statutes, regulations, case law, and automated legal research systems. Drafting legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, settlement agreements, or discovery-related documents. Analyzing investigative findings and documentary evidence to support litigation, fraud investigations, or enforcement actions. Managing complex litigation files, including electronic discovery, trial exhibits, and large volumes of documentary evidence. Coordinating with attorneys, investigators, and client agencies throughout the litigation process, including trial preparation. Preparing analytical reports, summaries, or recommendations that support litigation strategy, investigations, or program operations.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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 Occupational Questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

You will be rated on the following Competencies (see The OPM Website for definitions):
Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

-Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).

- Required: Your resume cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements. Include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job:

• Official position title (if Federal, include series/grade),
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (for full consideration you must include month, day, and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

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.

-Required if you are a current or former Federal employee: a recent copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing title, series, grade, and full performance level (FPL); AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note your SF-50 must include your FPL in the remark section (e.g., appointment, reassignment, promotion actions), pay adjustments and awards do not include this information so they are not acceptable.

-Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility) for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Next steps