Immigration Paralegal Specialist

As a Paralegal Specialist in our Civil Division handling immigration enforcement issues and foreign litigation, you will: Prepare draft legal and administrative pleadings and various other correspondence and legal documents as it relates to immigration enforcement issues and foreign litigation.

Review and organize complex factual material and other documentary data. Perform substantive legal research using a variety of research tools. Provide advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents. Use tables and citation checking with efficiency.

Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents to include answers, responses to dispositive motions, and petitions for turnover of surplus funds. Develop and enter various case material into a computer database. Prepare charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results. Provide litigation case management and organize cases for court presentation.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

GS-12: To be eligible at the GS-12 level, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing a variety of analytical paralegal or legal work which demonstrates an extensive knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures as it relates to immigration enforcement issues and foreign litigation; analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting thorough legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; drafting legal documents; composing legal briefs, summaries of analyses and decisions, and pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; and preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.

If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the 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 proof of eligibility to receive selection priority.

Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

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/.