This position is located in the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Headquarters (HQ), Office of Counsel. This position(s) primary purpose is to serve as a technical authority on the full range of legal matters, work closely with attorneys to prepare files, reports, and documents for the most complex cases, and handle a diverse workload and work cooperatively and efficiently with the organization staff members.

Duties

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service. As a Paralegal Specialist, your typical work assignments may include: Assists attorneys with handling litigation to include, but not limited to, administrative tort claims arising out of car accidents with Official Government Vehicles and other incidents, Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests, Touhy requests, Affirmative and e-litigation, Diversion and Giglio requests. Reviews various personnel records and reports from internal DEA offices and evaluates content for existence of violations of DEA's Standards of Conduct. Accompanies litigating attorney as requested into the court or hearing for the purpose of assisting with the documentation being presented in cases. Serves as a technical authority performing work that is characterized by a depth and variety of problem-solving analyses, interpretation, and evaluation associated with the resolution of unusually complicated legal matters. Independently performs extensive legal research for legal precedent in indices and computerized legal reference systems and analyzes their applicability to individual cases and prepares summaries of research findings.

Requirements

• U. S. Citizenship Required
• You must submit to a pre-employment drug test
• Employment is subject to the successful completion of a background investigation, verification of qualifications, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, and any other job-related requirement before or after appointment.
• Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
• You may be required to successfully complete a probationary period
• DEA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• Paralegal Certificate or degree from a four-year college or university (or equivalent).
• Incumbent is required to submit a Financial Disclosure Statement, OGE-450.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Specialized Experience requirements as noted below. Qualification claims will be subject to verification. GS-9: Education:Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B or J.D., if related. NOTE: Graduate education must provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position; OR Experience:You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progress for the occupation GS-07. In order to qualify you must possess one year of specialized experience performing duties in the following specialty areas: (Giglio inquiries, FOIA requests, Tort Claims, Employment Discrimination, MSPB cases, Diversion Investigations) 1) Assists senior paralegals with complex research related to the specialty areas; 2) Writes legal memos, letters, formal responses in the specialty areas; 3) Assists with legal investigations and factual issues of claims presented in the specialty areas. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. GS-11: Education:Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree NOTE: Graduate education must provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Experience: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level in the normal line of progress for the occupation GS-09 performing the following duties: 1) Conducts complex legal research to evaluate relevance and brief attorneys on findings; 2) Independently drafts legal memos, writes synopses, and prepares briefings for attorneys actions; 3) Investigates and researches legal and factual issues of claims presented. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying specialized experience. Specialized 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. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

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.

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/.

Contacts

• Address Drug Enforcement Administration Do Not Send Postal Mail Springfield, VA 21310 US
• Name: Joanselle Montalvo
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]