For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 23-DC-12123265.

Duties

This position is located in the Paralegal Support Section, Appellate Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC). The incumbent provides substantive legal support to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in a variety of specialized litigative activities related to civil and/or criminal appeals. The incumbent performs a variety of complex paralegal support assignments relating to appellate practice, which includes providing paralegal services to one or more supervisory/non-supervisory Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Appellate Division. The work requires a specialized knowledge of the procedures and practices related to defending the criminal convictions or civil judgments obtained by the USAO-DC and bringing affirmative appeals to higher courts in response to rulings adverse to the United States. The incumbent will apply specialized knowledge of particular laws, regulations, precedents, and agency practices that directly affect the outcome of USAO-DC cases. Typical work assignments include: Performs substantive research and analysis of a variety of specialized legal topics and points of law. Assists in the preparation of briefs and the presentation of oral arguments before the Court of Appeals. The work is further complicated due to the variety of courts in which appeals may be heard and the associated special legal processes and practices of each. Uses multiple online databases to research state and federal statutes, legal and factual issues, and information pertinent to the resolution of an issue; and independently performs extensive and thorough legal research into the legislative history, and case precedent that may be applicable to particular legal matters. Performs substantive legal analysis; organizes and prepares research material; reconciles conflicting facts and gathers additional information when necessary; and prepares initial summary and makes recommendations. Prepares indices of legal and administrative material; independently develops appropriate conclusions and justifications; and acquires information to develop facts and points of law in support of appellate AUSAs. Drafts initial legal and administrative briefs, motions, oppositions to defense motions and correspondence for review. Drafts initial legal documents and correspondence which summarize and explain case files, depositions and/or interrogatories. Drafts correspondence and legal documents that coordinate actions with other Federal agencies or State and local jurisdictions that are associated with litigative activities. Supports case development and documentation requirements as litigation progresses. Coordinates production of administrative records and responses to requests for discovery. Prepares and organizes voluminous material for production as discovery and for use on appeal. Reviews administrative records and discovery production for privileged content and other content for redaction. Effectively organizes data and develops appellate record material such as statistical charts, graphs, and timelines to be presented in court as corroborative evidence. Manages discovery and evidence in electronic and hard copy formats and prepares for the use of it in each stage of litigation. Maintains evidence such as paper documents, PDF files, image files, audio files, video files, bank records, forensic reports, and other file types. Provides automated litigation assistance to attorneys as needed for the appeal. Utilizes various software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters. Provides technical support, such as enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits. Examines materials to locate any deficiencies (e.g., missing documents, conflicting statements). As required, prepares and organizes exhibits, documents, memoranda, reports, and correspondence relating to cases for review by AUSAs. Selects and interprets the pertinent guidelines and policies that govern work assignments. May assist AUSAs in court during hearings. Compiles case files for AUSAs and coordinates with appropriate points of contact to obtain copies of all documentation pertinent to the case or claim. Maintains current and historical files and preparing any necessary correspondence; receives written and oral requests for assistance from individuals from both USAO-DC staff and from other governmental agencies. Interacts with opposing counsel regarding the correctness of factual information, technical issues, or procedural requirements. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

• 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 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 requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, OR Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 level work in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that has equipped you with the competencies needed to perform the job duties. Examples of specialized experience are: conducting independent legal research to verify citation and statutory references and prepare legal documents; applying knowledge of the litigation process, court rules and procedures to determine action needed and forms to be completed, time limits and processing requirements; using information technology to develop, prepare and monitor reports and the status of projects and assignments; communicating with management, office personnel, court staff, law enforcement and the public as a liaison for the division; using online databases to research information, legal research and case data; managing discovery and evidence in electronic and hard copy formats; provides automated litigation assistance to attorneys as needed for the appeal; using software applications and graphics hardware such as scanners and plotters; provides technical support, such as enlarging charts and photographs, duplicating tapes and videos, and marking exhibits. OR Education: One of the following types of education in a related field: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree: OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university. OR 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 3 full years.

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.

Contacts

• Address US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia 601 D Street NW Washington, DC 20002 US
• Name: Ann Lawrence
• Phone: (202) 252-6695
• Email: [email protected]