Lead Paralegal Specialist

Summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia mission is to enforce the criminal laws of the United States and the District of Columbia, represent the interests of the United States in civil litigation, and respond to the public safety needs of the community by leading an effective, well-coordinated law enforcement effort that contributes to the overall goal of improving the quality of life in the District of Columbia.

Duties

• This Lead Paralegal Specialist provides support in the analysis of criminal matters, case preparation, investigation support, and case charges. The incumbent is also responsible for the flow of accurate case information to Matrix, Superior Court Division (SCD) computerized case management system, as well as overall management of case jackets and files. On a daily basis, the incumbent will monitor the case flow and assignments of cases ready for indictment, assisting with retrieval and preparation of cases in the Investigations Unit. If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team responsible for providing support in the analysis of criminal intake matters, case preparation, trial support and case disposition in the Grand Jury Unit in the General Crimes Section in Superior Court Division (SCD) in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. Typical work assignments will include: Plans and organizes the functions, work, and projects assigned to paralegal and legal support staff, by communicating the organizations' goals, objectives, procedures and methodology when assigning work and projects to the unit staff. Prepares, organizes, and maintains a variety of substantive legal documents to include motions, Findings of Fact, warrants, indictments and unindicted referrals. Maintains inventory of materials produced pursuant to subpoena or search warrant and prepares an outline or other summary of substantive documents/materials produced pursuant to grand jury subpoena or search warrant. Reviews assignments for completeness and accuracy and performing any appropriate redactions, based on a thorough understanding of requirements of the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the local rules, any protective orders, and any relevant court ruling. Secures evidentiary material and documents throughout the Grand Jury process. Initiates and completes a variety of legal tasks in support of the grand jury and court processes.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying: To qualify at the GS-12 level, you must possess: Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (4) of the (5) duties: Researching or analyzing case files and legal material in preparing substantiative legal documents (such as presentations, motions, or plea agreements); Communicating with co-workers, attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement, court personnel, victims or other agencies during the criminal process; Providing advice on work methods, practices, or procedures to provide on-the-job training; Evaluating work to improve process, effectiveness, workflow or performance in reaching the sections goals, objectives, and procedures as determined by management; Preparing, monitoring or reviewing documents for accuracy and timeliness in organizing case files. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. 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. 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. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-11 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-12 level. You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases). All applicants will be reviewed to ensure they meet minimum qualification and eligibility requirements before carrying out the rating and ranking process. Applicants will not be further considered who will not meet within 30 days after the closing date of the vacancy announcement all qualification and eligibility requirements.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Click on this: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application. If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Staff Acquisition Applicant Support at [email protected] or to obtain an alternative application.