Summary The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York's mission is to investigate, prosecute and deter violations of federal statutes, enforce and represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, uphold civil, constitutional and victims' rights, and foster partnerships with other federal, state and local government agencies and community groups. Responsibilities This Paralegal Specialist provides assistance to attorneys in the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing Paralegal Specialist support in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York, located in Brooklyn, New York, focusing in the areas of legal research, drafting briefs and pleadings, and assembling exhibits for trial. Typical work assignments will include: Participating and assisting in preparation for trial. Performing legal research. Communicating both orally and in writing to interview witnesses and responding to inquiries. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Pathways Recent Graduate Eligibility Requirements: You must be a recent graduate who has completed within the last two (2) years of the close date of this announcement, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying education institute. Veterans who were unable to apply within two (2) years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, may be extended up to six years. Note: You must submit transcripts (unofficial or official) and/or a letter from an education institute stating that you have meet all degree requirements to be considered eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate Program. Official transcripts will be required prior to an official job offer, if selected for this position. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: To qualify at the GS-07 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (3) of the (4) duties listed below: Performing legal research and/or legal analysis; Preparing legal briefs, summaries and/or correspondence by gathering and/or analyzing data; Utilizing automation resources and/or technology (i.e. digital imaging applications, graphic design software, audio visual equipment, trial presentation program); Performing legal duties such as reviewing case materials, summarizing witness testimony, maintaining due date calendars and/or arranging Court appearances. OR one full year of graduate level education or a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement; or a combination of the required experience and education for this grade level. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here. Education Pathways Recent Graduate Eligibility Requirements: Applicants MUST MEET the following eligibility requirements to participate in the Pathways Recent Graduate Program: Have completed, within the last two (2) years as of the closing date of this announcement, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying education institute. Veterans who were unable to apply within two (2) years of receiving their degree, due to military service obligation, may be extended up to six (6) years. If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. 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. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/ Special Instructions for 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. Failure to provide such documentation with your application will result in lost consideration. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.In addition, when reviewing applicant's transcripts, assumptions will not be made. Applicants MUST state which coursework is relevant. Additional Information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Justice requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for a clearance as a condition of placement in this high-risk position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility, click here. The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. Additional information about CTAP eligibility, click here. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments: Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
