The Tax Division is seeking highly skilled candidates with significant experience to serve as Paralegal Specialists. The incumbents will perform legal research, manage electronically stored information, and provide direct support to attorneys, including trial preparation and in-court presentation of electronic evidence through databases, including Trial Director and/or Sanction. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE YOU APPLY.

Duties

This vacancy announcement is to fill positions within various sections of the Tax Division. 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 Tax Division is seeking paralegal candidates with strong organizational and written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, ability to use various software programs associated with a litigation practice and a willingness to learn to work in civil and criminal sections of the Division. As a Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-9/11, you will be responsible for performing duties which include, but are not limited to the following: Conducting legal and factual research using various databases, records, and other sources; Conducting investigations into the location of people and assets; Organizing and maintaining digital and paper files; Using a variety of case-related software programs, including IPRO, Relativity, CaseMap, Sanction, and other eDiscovery platforms; Drafting and editing legal and non-legal documents; Creating case-related presentations using various software programs, including Trial Director, Sanction and/or PowerPoint; Synthesizing case information into charts, spreadsheets, and graphs using programs such as MS Excel; Supporting attorneys in court, including doing courtroom presentations and coordinating trial logistics; Reviewing documents for privileges, redacting using programs such as Adobe Acrobat, and creating privilege logs; Compiling, collating, and organizing trial binders; and exhibit and witness lists; and/or Interacting with witnesses for investigation and trial appearances. The incumbent will be expected to travel as needed to assist attorneys with trials and other case related duties.

Requirements

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will need to successfully complete a pre-employment background security process pending completion and adjudication of the background investigation before you can be appointed to the position.
• You may be required to complete a one-year trial/probationary period.
• You may need to submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test result before you can be appointed into this position.
• A Background Investigation, Drug Test and Credit Check required.
• If you were born male, on or 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. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-9/11, you must possess the required specialized experience specific to this series and grade. To be eligible at the GS-09 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: To qualify for the Paralegal Specialist at the GS-09 level, you must have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or the equivalent in the private sector. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Performing factual research on public databases and in public records; Using commercial databases, such as Lexis/Nexis and/or Westlaw, to perform legal research; Establishing and maintaining digital case files containing case related documents, such as administrative files received from the client, discovery, exhibits, court filings, and general correspondence; Researching, developing, and checking the accuracy of information from a wide range of sources; Drafting and/ or editing legal correspondence; Analyzing and gathering pertinent information; determining the most logical and effective use of the information; Preparing a table of authorities for legal memoranda; Preparing and arranging for service of subpoenas, and summonses and complaints; Organizing and maintaining deposition and trial exhibits; Coordinating trial logistics; and/or Compiling and organizing information by preparing summary charts and spreadsheets of voluminous information using MS Excel or similar software. OR- Education: a Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law); a LL.B. or J.D.; or two 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; OR- Combination of 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 one full year. To be eligible at the GS-11 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: To qualify for the Paralegal Specialist at the GS-11 level, you must have one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service or the equivalent in the private sector. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Searching publicly available databases or records to locate parties, witnesses, court proceedings, facts, and financial information necessary for case development; Using commercial databases, including Lexis/Nexis and/or Westlaw, to perform legal research, locate cases, and check legal citations; Cite-checking briefs and preparing tables of authorities for legal memoranda; Establishing and maintaining digital case files containing various case-related documents; Digitally tagging and retrieving documents by issue, topic, or witness in case management databases such as Relativity or IPRO; Interviewing individuals to collect facts and information related to cases; Preparing and arranging for service of subpoenas, and summonses and complaints consistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and local court rules; Using presentation software, such as Sanction or PowerPoint, and synthesizing information in charts or graphs in preparation for trial or at trial; Presenting evidence electronically in preparation for trial or at trial; Reviewing documents for privilege and privacy, preparing privilege logs, and performing electronic redactions in Adobe Acrobat or similar software; Organizing and maintaining deposition and trial exhibits; and/or drafting and retaining legal correspondence, including case-specific reports, appendices and exhibits, arrangements for special staffing needs, and tracking documents. Conducting detailed analyses of information requests and preparing or coordinating the preparation of responses based upon the information requirements needed. OR - Education: a LL.M, a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law); OR 3 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;OR - Combination of 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 two full years. Time in Grade Requirement: Current government employees on a permanent appointment in the competitive service must demonstrate one year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the occupational series and grade. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/11/2024 . 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.

Education

If qualifying based on education or combination of experience and education, you must submit unofficial transcripts or list of courses that includes school attended, school address, course titles, grades earned, completion dates, department, and quarter/semester hours earned. NOTE: Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; if you are selected, you must provide official transcripts before you start work.

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.

Contacts

• Address Tax Division - Multiple Sections c/o 4 Constitution Square 150 M Street NE Washington, DC 20002 US
• Name: Danielle Williams
• Phone: 202-305-8341
• Email: [email protected]