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.
Note: In order to be considered "qualified" for this position, your specialized experience must be described in your resume. Please be sure that your resume clearly states any and all of the specialized experience that you may have. If your specialized experience is not clearly stated in your resume, you will not be considered for this position. To be qualified for the GS-09 Paralegal Specialist, you must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal Service; or a master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 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 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 applying the knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and analysis sufficient to perform assigned duties related to criminal prosecution proceedings. Specialized Experience is defined as preparing and composing a variety of substantive legal documents and correspondence; collecting analyzing and evaluating evidence in connection with litigation; preparing exhibits for court presentations in hearings and trials, including visual materials such as charts, diagrams, photographs and models; providing case management by requesting, organizing and indexing legal documents, information, evidence and exhibits; performing data searches utilizing databases. OR Education: a master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.B. or J.D, if related (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law). 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 Combining Education and Experience: a combination of specialized experience and education 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 1 full year. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
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. - Researches relevant legal issues and preparing a variety of substantive legal documents. - Interacts with law enforcement, court personnel, victims and witnesses in preparing for court proceedings. 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.