The mission of the National Security Division (NSD) is to coordinate the Department's efforts in carrying out its core mission of combating terrorism and protecting national security. NSD is responsible for supervising the enforcement of all federal criminal laws related to counterterrorism and counterespionage, except those specifically assigned to other divisions.

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. The Office of Justice for Victims of Overseas Terrorism (OVT) mission is to support U.S. victims of terrorism overseas by helping them navigate foreign criminal justice systems and by advocating for their voices to be heard around the world. OVT advocates for U.S. victims and their families to obtain information, be present during foreign terrorism prosecutions, and have a voice during the proceedings, as permitted by foreign law. We further provide policy advocacy on overseas terrorism victims' issues both within the U.S. Government and throughout the world. The purpose of this position is to serve as a Paralegal Specialist (National and International), providing support to one or more NSD attorneys engaged in efforts to assist U.S. victims of overseas terrorist attacks to access foreign criminal justice systems. Paralegal support and legal research assignments require significant ability to perform international legal research online and through various databases, to include constitutions, criminal laws, criminal procedural codes, and victim's rights laws. ***This unique opportunity does not include e-Discovery or filings, or drafting and creating traditional pleadings/exhibits/trial binders for use in litigation. OVT is not a traditional litigating component, and are seeking candidates with strong interests in national and international research, writing, and oral briefings. We also work directly with U.S. victims of overseas terrorism, and an understanding of our mission is vital to a candidate's success in the role.*** The duties of this Paralegal Specialist (National and International) position include but are not limited to: Utilizing a variety of automated legal research tools as well as public information databases and other automated resources to research case or program specific legal matters, and participate in assigned areas of legal proceedings, including victim outreach and travel planning. Researching and verifying citations and references contained in legal documents using sources such as The Bluebook, Lexis/Nexis, Westlaw, and federal or international statutes. Evaluating informational requests from Attorney Advisors and the Victim Outreach Specialist and plans a comprehensive approach to obtain this information. Assisting attorneys by preparing, scheduling, reviewing, and organizing victim meetings (both in-person, via phone or virtually). Assisting in identifying training opportunities for federal, state, and local agencies and international counterparts, preparing international literature and presentations, etc. Assists with identifying funding opportunities from various sources. Performing extensive analysis of international and national statutes, legislative intent and history, judicial precedents, decisions and opinions, agency rules and regulations, and law review and other open source articles as they relate to assigned cases to include those of an especially complex nature. Keeping abreast of international and national case law and decisions on appeals to ensure legal research reflects current status. Studying court precedents and international legislative history to determine appropriate sources for research and to form recommendations. Reviewing existing national and international case documents via electronic means or outreach to interagency and international colleagues to ensure complete records in coordination with the applicable Attorney Advisor. Ensuring documents conform to OVT standards. Drafting correspondence for attorney's signature and legal research memos for attorney use with minimal or no errors. Supporting attorney in foreign court proceedings by briefing attorney and OVT staff on pertinent facts, issues, and case law. Using established databases, perform data searches, report design, and other data retrieval assignments. Reports may be of a recurring nature or of a special, one-time nature based on user information requirements.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary or trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• Additional selections may be made from this announcement, at any time, if openings occur in other offices serviced by Justice Management Division, HR Operations.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist (National and International), (GS-0950-9/11), you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below AND possess the required specialized experience specific to the series and grade you are applying to. To qualify for the GS-950-09, your resume MUST demonstrate the following specialized experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector conducting legal research of defined scope and complexity by using electronic databases in support of victims' rights. -OR- Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. -OR- A combination of Education and Experience. To qualify for the GS-950-11 your resume MUST demonstrate the following specialized experience: one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence in support of victims' rights. -OR- Successful completion of a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related. -OR- A combination of Education and Experience. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 12/19/2023. Your resume must support your responses to the questionnaire and qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement (12/19/2023) to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application. ***Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.***

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be reviewed and certified by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be creditable toward your qualifications. Therefore, you should provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

For more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation.

All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

You MUST provide Transcripts if you are using Education as a substitution for Experience. Transcripts MUST show the Date and Degree conferred.

Contacts

• Address National Security Division 2 Constitution Square 145 N Street NE Room 9W.300 Washington, DC 20530 US
• Name: Randall Williams
• Email: [email protected]