Paralegal Specialist (Appellate)
What you'd do
Serving in the Northern District of Indiana means being part of a mission-driven federal team dedicated to justice across a dynamic region. Our district spans vibrant communities from Northwest Indiana through South Bend and eastward to Fort Wayne, offering both metropolitan access and a strong sense of local connection. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.
Major duties
We are currently accepting applications for a Paralegal Specialist within the Appellate Division of the Northern District of Indiana. This position can be located in Fort Wayne, Hammond or South Bend. At the full performance level, you will support Appellate Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) by providing a variety of paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Typical work assignments will include: Conduct legal research on cases and issues identified by AUSAs, utilizing statutes, case law, regulations, court rules, legal treatises, legal periodicals, and policy documents. Prepare drafts on a variety of legal documents, such as pleadings, memoranda of law, trial briefs, appellate briefs, summonses, complaints, indictments, answers, motion papers, and stipulations. Review and organize complex factual material and other documentary data for appellate briefing. Provide advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents. Generate tables, proofread drafts, and check citations in drafts with efficiency. Develop and enter various case material into a computer database. Maintain calendars and track deadlines for court filings. Provides advanced case support to AUSAs by reviewing witness materials, identifying deficiencies, and coordinating needed investigative follow-up. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. This position has promotion potential to the GS-11 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, the continuing need for the higher-level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.
What you need to qualify
GS-7: To be eligible at the GS-7 level, you must meet at least ONE (1) of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence. Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: assists in the preparation and organization of documentation and evidence for production as discovery and for use in trial; compiles, organizes, and indexes evidentiary exhibits for use at hearings or trial; prepares draft list of exhibits to be offered at trial; review legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; and utilizing various computerized data base programs to organize extensive documents. -OR- Education: Successful completion of one (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education (18 semester hours or the number of units your school uses to describe one graduate year of academic study) in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Paralegal Studies, Law) leading to a master's degree OR completed bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement. See education section for superior academic achievement definition. -OR- Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on combined education and experience, candidates must demonstrate a combination of specialized experienced and graduate-level education that equals 100% of the requirements. GS-9: To be eligible at the GS9 level, you must meet at least ONE (1) of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing legal research using statutes, case law, regulations, court rules, treatises, policy documents, and electronic databases such as Westlaw and Lexis. Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: summarizing findings into memoranda, annotated references, bibliographies, and organized research packages to support appellate litigation; drafting pleadings, memoranda, briefs, motions, and other legal documents by incorporating legal references, analyzing precedents, proofreading, and citation checks for accuracy; assisting with oral-argument preparation by gathering and indexing briefs, case law, and record materials under established procedures. -OR- Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): a Master's or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. 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: 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. GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE (1) of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. Specialized Experience is defined as experience performing a variety of analytical paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Examples of specialized experiences may include the following: performing research, evaluation, and analysis of specialized legal topics and points of law involving defending criminal convictions and civil judgments, bringing affirmative appeals, preparing briefs, and assisting in the presentation of oral arguments before appellate courts; working on matters that require coordination with higher-level legal offices on potential appeals, petitions for rehearing, and litigation before higher appellate courts; identifying emerging legal issues and adjusting research strategies. -OR- Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law): 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. 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: 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 complete Qualification Standards used for this position may be found at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=GS-ADMIN. 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/.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.