Duties

PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE YOU APPLY.

This vacancy is also being announced concurrently at the GS-09/11 grade level with Announcement TAX-PARALEGSPAST-23-RC-14MP for employees with Federal status or eligibility and applicants eligible for special appointment authorities. Please review that announcement to determine if you are eligible to apply. NOTE: Applicants must apply separately for each announcement.

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 (Special Assistant) GS - 0950 - 9/11, your typical work assignments may include the following:

• assists an attorney who is blind or visually impaired by performing a range of paralegal duties that include preparing for and assisting the attorney during telephone calls, meetings, depositions, trials, court hearings, meditation/settlement conferences, describing proceedings to the attorney, and associated travel;
• prepares and edits written products, correspondence, and court documents ensuring accuracy, proper format, spelling, punctuation, and grammar;
• conducts legal research of defined scope and complexity as well as referencing and citing sources, applicable precedents, transcripts, legislative history, and other relevant documents;
• manages the logistical aspects of trial/hearing/deposition/mediation or settlement conference and relays events that typically would be picked up only visually;
• responsible for travel both locally and otherwise, may be required to drive to meetings and other appointments if public transportation is not readily available.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• You may be required to serve a one year probationary period.
• 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.
• Must meet eligibility and qualification requirements by closing date
• 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.
• This is NOT a remote position. You will be required to work in person at our Washington, DC offices. However, some Telework may be authorized.

How You Will Be Evaluated

• Benefits

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Review our benefits

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.

  Resume: All applicants must submit a detailed resume. Your resume must contain detailed information about your past employment, education, and qualifications. You should also include unpaid work experience (volunteer work) as well, because we may be able to credit you for this experience. If you're unsure about what to include in your resume, please review the USAJOBS Resume Writing Tutorial on YouTube. Your resume should include: 1) position title, 2) employer name and contact information, 3) start and end dates (including month and year), 4) the number of hours worked per week (or indicate full time), and 5) a detailed list of duties performed, accomplishments. If you are a current or former federal employee, include the highest grade/step achieved in each position. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. You are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder, as this will ensure you're including everything that is required.
  
  Transcript: An unofficial transcript if you are using education to qualify. (If you are selected for a position, you must provide an official, sealed transcript before your hiring date can be established to include the date your degree was conferred.)
  
  If you are claiming a Veterans Preference eligibility:

  • When claiming VEOA eligibility or a Veteran's Preference, you must submit your last DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) form, specifically the Member #4 Copy, indicating dates and character of service and discharge type.
  • If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more, you will need to additionally submit the SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veterans Preference) and a copy of your VA Letter stating your disability rating.
  • If you are the qualifying parent or spouse of a disabled, deceased, or deployed Veteran, and are seeking a derived preference eligibility, you must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as the Veterans DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, and/or Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. See Veteran Family Preference for more information.
  • If you are currently on active duty, please provide an official statement of service from your command certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the certification is submitted. The certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service.
  • For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.

  If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP :

  • You must submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency.
  • If you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force.
  • See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

  More Info: USAJOBS - What documents might I need to provide?
  Application Manager Help - Documents

• How to Apply

  Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include the initial online assessment and submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

  • To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.

  • Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.

  • Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.

  • After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you via email notification. The email may be routed to your "Spam" or "Junk" folder.

  • If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Click here for Computer System Requirements.

  • Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re- use the URL sent to you via email and also found in your USAJOBS account under the "Track my application" link for the corresponding application.

  To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account (https://usajobs.gov). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
  
  To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account at https://usajobs.gov . On the Home page, scroll down and locate your job application. Once the job has been located, click the "Track this application" link on the right under the application date. The page will refresh to display the Agency's Application Information page where you can scroll down and review any notifications the agency has sent you. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
  
  If you need help with the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help Site (for everything on the USAJOBS-side), or the Application Manager Help Site (for everything on the DOJ-side). Regrettably, the Department of Justice cannot assist you with USAJOBS account issues. If you contact us for assistance and the problem is related to your USAJOBS account, we will have to direct you to USAJOBS to remedy the issue.

  Agency contact information

  Romaine Chase

  Phone

  202-514-4661

  Email

  romaine.e.chase@usdoj.gov

  Address

  Civil Trial Section, Western Region
  c/o 150 M Street, NE
  , Washington, DC 20530
  US

  Next steps

  If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, you will receive an email from assessments@USAHire.opm.gov with a link to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. This assessment must be completed within 48 hours after the close of this JOA. If you have not received the link to the assessment within 24 hours of the closing date and you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, you should contact USASHelp20@opm.gov to request the invitation to be re-sent.
  
  Based on your qualifications and assessment scores, after a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
  
  Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.
  
  Applicants selected for further consideration will be required to complete a reading aloud exercise and a document proofing and formatting exercise during the hiring process.
  

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens; Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) eligibles.