The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides. On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes. The Civil Division further defends the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia.
To be qualified for the GS-11 Paralegal Specialist, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal Service; or possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; or a combination of specialized experience and education. Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized Experience is defined as applying the knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis sufficient to perform assigned case development and documentation assignments covered by established precedents in criminal prosecution proceedings. Examples of specialized experience are: preparing a variety of substantive legal documents; collecting, analyzing, and evaluating evidence in connection with litigation; compiling substantive information on legal subjects; providing case management and organization for cases; preparing exhibits for court presentations in hearings and trials, including visual materials such as charts, diagrams, photographs and models; composing legal correspondence; providing case management by requesting, organizing, and indexing legal documents, information, evidence and exhibits; using databases to perform data searches, report design, and other data retrieval assignments. OR Education: a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M. if related (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law). OR Combination: a combination of specialized experience as described in A and education as described in B which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. 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 2 full years.
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) is recruiting highly-motivated applicants to fill paralegal specialist vacancies in the Superior Court Division (SCD). The SCD has primary responsibility for prosecuting adult criminal cases in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Division handles the highest volume of felony and misdemeanor cases prosecuted by the Office, including homicides, sexual assaults, carjackings, kidnappings, robberies, burglaries, domestic violence, narcotics and weapons possession, and quality of life offenses. If selected, you may be assigned to one of the Division's four litigating Sections: General Crimes, Major Crimes, Homicide, or Sex Offense and Domestic Violence. More information about the work of these sections can be found on USAO-DC's website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/superior-court-division. Typical work assignments will include: - Obtains, reviews, analyzes, and summarizes evidence, including police body worn camera footage, surveillance video, police paperwork, and digital evidence. - Supports AUSAs at hearings, grand jury, and trials, including assisting with exhibits, witness preparation, strategy, and presentation. - Prepares and organizes evidence for discovery utilizing specialized software. - Conducts factual and legal research, drafting legal pleadings and legal process such as subpoenas and warrants. - Corresponds directly with law enforcement, court employees, defense counsel, and other third parties regarding ongoing investigations and cases. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.