Summary This position serves as a Paralegal Specialist within the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, supporting criminal prosecutions involving narcotics and related federal offenses. The selectee assists Assistant U.S. Attorneys in investigating and prosecuting cases by conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, and supporting litigation activities, including discovery and trial preparation. Responsibilities If selected for this position, you will join a team responsible for assisting Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) by providing a wide variety of paralegal support services related to narcotics and related criminal matters. Typical work assignments will include: Assisting AUSAs in preparing for hearings, grand jury proceedings, and trial involving narcotics and related criminal cases; Conducting legal research using federal and state statutes, regulations, case law, and legal research systems to support investigations, prosecutions, and litigation activities; Drafting legal documents, correspondence, case summaries, and other litigation-related materials such as discovery documents, subpoenas, and exhibit lists for attorney review; Reviewing, summarizing, and organizing investigative materials, testimony, and evidence to support case development; Assisting with discovery by compiling, reviewing, organizing, and producing large volumes of records, and identifying missing or relevant information; Organizing cases for court presentations by preparing and managing exhibits, including documentary and digital evidence; Providing attorneys with legal documents, case materials, exhibits, and witness information during investigations and court proceedings; Maintaining and utilizing case tracking systems, logs, and databases to monitor case progress, assignments, deadlines, and document production; Providing administrative and case management support, including organizing files, managing records, and ensuring accurate documentation; and Supporting attorneys and legal staff in the preparation, organization, and maintenance of case materials to ensure efficient case management and presentation in a fast-paced, high-volume litigation environment. Tracking unit data, creating spreadsheets, and drafting quarterly and annual reports. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing duties such as examining and processing legal documents; conducting legal research using statutes, regulations, case law, and other legal reference materials; and assisting in the analysis and evaluation of information in response to legal matters. Experience includes drafting legal documents, correspondence, and summaries for attorney review, and searching, reviewing, and organizing case files and other legal materials to support criminal investigations or prosecutions involving narcotics or related offenses. Experience may also include assisting with case development by reviewing and summarizing investigative materials, testimony, and evidence; supporting discovery by compiling, reviewing, and organizing large volumes of records; organizing and managing exhibits for hearings or trial; and maintaining case tracking systems, logs, or databases to monitor case progress, assignments, and deadlines in a high-volume litigation environment. Education: One of the following @types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. 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, graduate education must be in excess of 1 full year. Education 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 http://www.ed.gov OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional Information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Selective Service: 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/. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. Political Appointees (Current or Former): 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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
