Paralegal Specialist (Recent Graduate) | Department of Justice

 

Paralegal Specialist (Recent Graduate)
Location: Washington, DC
Announcement Number:
Salary: $68,405 - $88,926
Closing Date: July 17, 2024

This position is located in the Appellate Section which is responsible for handling most Environmental and Natural Resources Division cases in federal and state appellate courts, for preparing appeal recommendations, and for preparing drafts for the Office of the Solicitor General of petitions and briefs in these cases if they go the U.S. Supreme Court. The incumbent will provide paralegal support to the Section's attorneys.

Duties

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 (Recent Graduate) your responsibilities may include:

• Conducting cite checks pursuant to The Bluebook; proofreading and editing legal briefs and memoranda prior to filing in court; and ensuring conformance of documents to applicable court rules.
• Performing document management, including creating and maintaining litigation databases.
• Providing assistance in preparation for court appearances, including managing exhibits, documents, and logistics.
• Organizing and writing synopses of factual materials; summarizing depositions; preparing, organizing, and indexing administrative records; and preparing non-legal memoranda.
• Performing research in various legal databases including Westlaw, Pacer, and Lexis.
• Reviewing referrals, memoranda, informal email, and other documents; extracting a host of information; and accurately filling numerous data fields in the Case Management System (CMS).
• Monitoring section documents to assure the quality of data in CMS, and resolving any discrepancies discovered.

Position MAY be converted to a term or permanent appointment if the following are met:

1. Successful completion of at least 1 year of continuous service,
2. Completion of at least 40 hours of formal interactive training, and
3. Demonstration of successful job performance.

A recent graduate converted to a term appointment may be subsequently converted non-competitively into a permanent position. Recent Graduates are on a trial period for the duration of the program. An Individual Development Plan (IDP) must be completed and approved by the supervisor within 45 days of appointment and a mentor must be assigned within 60 days of appointment.