Paralegal Specialist (Civil Immigration)
What you'd do
There is one Paralegal Specialist (Civil Immigration) position that will be located in Beaumont, Plano, Sherman, or Tyler, TX. This position is also being announced via Merit Staffing under 26-TXE-13028489-MS As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Major duties
Please note: This is a term position not-to-exceed September 30, 2029, subject to availability of funds. This position may be extended, or made permanent, without further advertising. The duties and responsibilities for a GS-0950-Paralegal Specialist, 09/11, in the United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Texas, generally include, but are not limited to, the following: Review and organize complex factual material and other documentation data for investigations and trials. Preparing a variety of substantive legal documents to include initial legal and administrative briefs, motions, oppositions to defense motions, grand jury and trial subpoenas, discovery requests, technical correspondence and other documentation relevant to the prosecution of cases. Analyze reports, testimonies, interviews and files. Cite-checking legal briefs to ensure validity or cited authority and accuracy of legal citations. Preparing and organizing voluminous documentation and evidence for production of discovery and for use in trial. Develop and enter various case material into a computer database Performing specialized legal research in support of immigration cases. Prepare charts, graphs, timelines, audio and video recordings and tables to be presented in court. Prepare exhibits which typically involve a wide range of visual materials. Provide litigation case management and organize cases for court presentations. Develop and prepare jury instructions and related pleadings in preparation for trial. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
What you need to qualify
To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist (Civil Immigration), at GS-0950-9/11, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below. Please note: This is a term position not-to-exceed September 30, 2029, subject to availability of funds. This position may be extended, or made permanent, without further advertising. GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing paralegal work which demonstrates a basic knowledge of legal research and ability to interpret legal decisions. My qualifying experience involved performing the following types of duties: examining and processing a variety of legal documents; conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to complex or sensitive requests; drafting briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; document findings and preparing recommendations; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel. 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. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate-level education as described in B which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation.) GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as independently 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 experience may include the following: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; 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. 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. 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 Paralegal Specialist. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. A combination of specialized experience as described in A and graduate-level education as described in B which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate hours that exceed 36 semester hours (or your school's definition of two years of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first two years may be used in this calculation.) You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 09/02/2026 of this announcement. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating. See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume. After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 09/02/2026 to complete the assessment which is part of your application.
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.
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