Duties
The Paralegal Specialist provides administrative and legal support services requiring specialized knowledge in bankruptcy, including title 11, United States Code (U.S.C.), and specifically, Chapter 7 (Liquidation), Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts), and Chapter 11 (Reorganization). Serves as a paralegal in a region or field office of the United States Trustee Program (USTP), supports the United States Trustee (UST), Assistant United States Trustee (AUST), attorneys, and associated investigative, audit, and administrative staff by performing legal research, analysis, and case-related administrative services.
In this position, the successful candidate will:
- Perform a variety of paralegal support assignments relating to bankruptcy cases filed under title 11, U.S.C. Assignments require significant specialized knowledge in bankruptcy law.
- Provide legal assistance and technical work requiring specialized knowledge of processes, procedures, and practices in connection with Chapters 7, 11, and 13 cases.
- Support assignments of this nature generally involve the form, content, and processing of legal documents and the procedures involved in storing and retrieving case information.
- Provide trial and deposition support to include the organizing and creation of exhibits. Perform detailed legal research, including legislative history.
- Conduct factual research related to public corporations and corporate grievances. Verify citations and legal references. Format, edit, and proofread documents.
- Review bankruptcy petitions, schedules, and statements to identify fraud or abuse.
- Draft pleadings in cases that follow established precedents and attend/participate in case review meetings.
- Monitor the progress of pending cases and initiate action to ensure that legal pleadings, forms, reports, correspondence, and other documents are prepared.
- Draft simple motions and complaints objecting to discharge.
- Perform administrative duties supporting attorneys and auditors by maintaining and organizing multiple case-management systems.
- Perform administrative duties as needed for the field office or Region. Periodic travel is required, depending on work assignments and training.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- Employment is contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Security clearance may be required.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable.
- A two-year trial period will be required.
- Conversion to permanent position is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a probationary period and appointment by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management (OARM).
- Qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
- Moving and Relocation Expenses are not authorized.
Qualifications
Selective Placement Factor
Applicants must be eligible for an Excepted Service appointment under Schedule B, 213.3210 (e). This appointment authority requires that the selectee possess knowledge of the bankruptcy process. This knowledge may have been acquired through a combination of professional experience, academic coursework, internships or externships, volunteer service, or similar activities.
Failure to demonstrate knowledge of the bankruptcy process in the resume will result in disqualification.
You may qualify at the GS-09 level if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service or public/private sector that includes experience in all the following:
- Performing legal research;
- Providing support in the preparation of legal correspondence (e.g., motions, routine pleadings, letters, etc.); and,
- Performing a variety of administrative duties in support of the assigned attorneys or other legal staff.
-or-
B. A master's or equivalent graduate degree in an accredited or pre-accredited college or university; or two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.B. or J.D degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position, examples of qualifying fields include Criminal Justice and Law.
-or-
C. A combination of education and experience as listed above.
You may qualify at the GS-11 level if you fulfill one of the following qualification requirements:
A. One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service or public/private sector that includes experience in all the following:
- Monitoring the progress of pending cases and initiating action to ensure that legal pleadings, forms, reports, correspondences, and other documents are prepared and submitted within established timelines;
- Reviewing and collecting documentary evidence and arranging case files for use in a variety of legal proceedings. This may include experience evaluating data to determine its utility in resolving procedural issues and presenting findings; and,
- Performing administrative duties in support of the assigned attorneys, including maintaining files, conducting research and analysis, drafting, reviewing, and editing documents.
-or-
B. A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M. degree, if related. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. Examples of qualifying fields include Criminal Justice and Law.
-or-
C. A combination of education and experience as listed above.
Additional information
Salary and Benefits
This position is on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale. Salary and grade level are determined by incumbent's duty location, years, and type of experience. To review the current GS salary table and our comprehensive list of benefits, please click here.
Travel
Periodic travel is required depending on work assignments and training.
Relocation Expenses
Relocation expenses are not authorized.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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.
A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to determine how well a candidate meets the minimum position qualifications outlined above. If a candidate is deemed qualified, they will be contacted via email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee and those who fall into the best-qualified category will be considered for the position.
The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to public service to hiring managers and agency leadership. Although responses are optional and will not be scored, applicants are encouraged to address each question thoughtfully. Please limit each response to 200 words or fewer. At the beginning of your submission, please certify that the responses are your own work and that you did not use a consultant or any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Copilot.
- How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
- In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
- How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
- How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.