This position is located in the Indian Resources Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division. The Indian Resources Section's suits include seeking to establish tribal water rights, protecting treaty hunting and fishing rights, remedying trespasses on tribal lands, and establishing reservation boundaries and rights to land. The incumbent will provide paralegal support to the Section's attorneys.

Duties

This vacancy is also being announced concurrently with Ann# ENRD-25-010-DE for applicants who DO NOT have Federal status. Please review that announcement to determine if you are eligible to apply. Applicants must apply separately for each announcement. Routine and ad hoc telework options are available in accordance with agency policy. This is not a remote position. 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 the following: Performing research in various databases including Westlaw, PACER, and Lexis; performing cite checks pursuant to The Bluebook, compiling legislative histories; drafting, proofreading, and editing legal briefs and memoranda prior to filing in court; and ensuring conformance of documents to applicable court rules. Assisting in litigation involving objections to water rights claims and litigation of affirmative water rights claims on behalf of Indian tribes and allottees. Drafting stipulations and abstracts associated with water right claims. Researching and identifying expert witnesses and litigative consultants by evaluating and assessing the knowledge, skill, and experience of the potential expert to assist in case development and litigation. Drafting statements of work and managing contracts for experts. Assessing expert reports and preparing submissions for administrative proceedings in state and federal courts. Communicating with other government agencies and private institutions to gather information to develop and corroborate findings and testimony. Coordinating litigation logistics, including travel and use of site facilities with tribes, states, and United States Attorney's Offices and other government agencies. Preparing exhibits, charts, graphs, maps, procedural histories, case statements, and other records for presentation in court. Providing assistance at hearings and/or trials. Performing document management, including creating and maintaining litigation databases. Organizing and writing synopses of factual materials; summarizing depositions; preparing, organizing, and indexing administrative records; and preparing non-legal memoranda. Performing case docketing; maintaining filing deadline calendar and coordinating with attorneys on each court filing; and preparing and filing all documents using PACER (ECF) and/or other relevant court filing systems.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or national
• Must complete a Background Investigation to include pre-employment drug testing
• Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable
• Must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by closing date
• You will be required to serve a one year probationary period, if not already served.

Qualifications

To qualify for GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-7 Federal grade level or above utilizing automated legal databases to verify legal citations and statutory references; analyzing and organizing factual, legal, and archival records; providing assistance to attorneys in preparation for hearings and/or trials; and creating and maintaining litigation databases for management of case materials; OR have a Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR two (2) full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D.; OR a combination of graduate education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. To qualify for GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-9 Federal grade level or above preparing summaries of depositions and other documents; performing factual, legal, and archival research; compiling and researching a variety of sources to verify, support, or dispute case information; and resolving problems in line with established policies, precedents, directives, and practices; OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three (3) full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related; OR a combination of education and experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. Note: Experience with water rights adjudication is highly desirable. Qualifying education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Time in Grade: In addition to the specialized experience or other requirements described above, Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements (one year at the next lower grade) by the closing date of announcement. You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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 www.ed.gov.

Contacts

• Address Indian Resources Section 150 M Street NE Washington, DC 20002 US
• Name: Carmen Browne
• Phone: (202) 616-3127
• Email: [email protected]