Paralegal Specialist (Criminal)
What you'd do
There is one Paralegal Specialist (Criminal) position that will be located Plano, or Sherman, TX. This announcement is open to current or former federal employees and specific hiring authorities. This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-TXE-13034404-Delegated Examining (DE). 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 documentary data for investigations and trials. Independently performs legal research, and legal writing. Prepares and organizes trial exhibits, documents, memoranda, reports and correspondence relating to cases. Provides automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentation. Manages discovery and evidence in electronic and hard copy formats. Select and interpret pertinent guidelines and policies that govern work assignments. Participates in pre-trial witness conferences, noting any deficiencies in case materials (e.g., missing documents, conflicting statements) and additional issues or other matters requiring investigation prior to trial. Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents to include extradition requests, grand jury and trial subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony. Develop and enter various case material into a computer database. Prepare charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results. Prepare, develop, compile, or maintain jury instructions in preparing for trial.
What you need to qualify
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. To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist (Criminal), at GS-0950-9/11, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below. You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 09/02/2026 of this announcement. GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions: specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing paralegal or legal work which demonstrates a basic knowledge of legal research and the ability to interpret legal decisions. Examples of specialized experience may include the following: routinely examining and processing a variety of legal documents such as complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, subpoenas and libels for completeness of information; 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. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 1 full year. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate level 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 specialized experience, divide the 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%. GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. 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: 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 advisory opinions and findings, and pre-trial documents; evaluating previous fact-finding and problem-solving methods to resolve conflicting statements; 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 L.L.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 the position. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of specialized experience as described and graduate-level education 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). Your resume must support your responses to the application 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 this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 09/02/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment 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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