Paralegal Specialist (ACE)

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) is seeking a highly qualified Paralegal Specialist to support the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program within the Civil Division.

As a GS-12 Paralegal Specialist, you will serve as a senior litigation support professional providing advanced legal research, investigative support, case development, and program management assistance to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs).
This position requires extensive independent judgment, advanced legal research and writing skills, and the ability to coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies throughout all phases of litigation.

Duties:

As a Paralegal Specialist (Affirmative Civil Enforcement), you will:

• Conduct advanced legal research and analysis involving federal statutes, regulations, case law, and legislative history to support complex civil litigation.
• Analyze investigative findings, documentary evidence, and legal issues, providing recommendations to Assistant United States Attorneys regarding case development and litigation strategy.
• Develop and evaluate Affirmative Civil Enforcement referrals by identifying evidentiary gaps, recommending additional investigative steps, and assessing litigation readiness.
• Prepare legal documents, including complaints, motions, briefs, memoranda, settlement agreements, and other litigation-related pleadings.
• Organize, analyze, and manage large volumes of documentary and electronically stored evidence, coordinating discovery and preparing trial exhibits for hearings and trial.
• Conduct witness and investigator interviews, summarize testimony, and assist attorneys in preparing for depositions, hearings, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to support investigations, litigation, and enforcement activities.
• Monitor ACE program activities, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to litigation support processes and program operations.
• Provide technical guidance and training to attorneys and legal support staff on ACE procedures, litigation support systems, and case management practices.
• Utilize litigation support technology and automated systems to manage case information, develop reports, and support courtroom presentations.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See http://www.sss.gov/.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
• You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Specialized Experience

To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing substantive paralegal work in support of complex affirmative civil litigation or investigations and includes conducting advanced legal research using statutes, regulations, case law, and automated legal research systems. Drafting legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, settlement agreements, or discovery-related documents. Analyzing investigative findings and documentary evidence to support litigation, fraud investigations, or enforcement actions. Managing complex litigation files, including electronic discovery, trial exhibits, and large volumes of documentary evidence. Coordinating with attorneys, investigators, and client agencies throughout the litigation process, including trial preparation. Preparing analytical reports, summaries, or recommendations that support litigation strategy, investigations, or program operations.