Affirmative Civil Enforcement Paralegal Specialist

Overview

This posting seeks Paralegal Specialist applicants for the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) Unit. The ACE unit investigates and litigates affirmative civil fraud actions on behalf of the United States, including healthcare fraud, procurement fraud, and violations of the False Claims Act (FCA). The role supports Civil Division Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) throughout all phases of the civil litigation process.

Additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

This announcement is also being issued to all U.S. citizens and nationals under 27-ILN-13084828-DE.

Responsibilities

At the full performance level, duties include providing legal assistance and office support to AUSAs. Training (formal and/or on-the-job) will be provided as needed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Performs substantive legal research using a variety of research tools.
• Prepares draft legal and administrative pleadings and various other correspondence and legal documents.
• Reviews and organizes complex factual material and other documentary data related to affirmative civil enforcement.
• Utilizes investigative tools to research allegations detailed in complaints or active investigations.
• Analyzes large sets of data to identify trends and prepares concise summaries.
• Provides assistance with Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs).
• Interviews witnesses and individuals who can provide insight into cases under review.
• Develops and enters case material into a computer database/e-discovery platform.
• Prepares charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results.
• Prepares, develops, compiles, or maintains jury instructions in preparing for trial.
• Prepares exhibits for trial that typically involve a wide range of visual materials.
• Provides litigation case management and organizes cases for court presentation.

Assignments and complexity increase with training and experience.

Requirements / Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing.
• Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• If selected, 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.
• Must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

Eligibility is based on grade level. Applicants must meet at least ONE of the conditions listed for the specific grade.

GS-07

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level, including drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing and indexing evidentiary exhibits; reviewing legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; verifying citations and statutory references; and using computerized database programs to organize extensive documents.
• Education: One full year of graduate level education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law, Business Administration, Accounting, Healthcare) leading to a Master's degree OR completed bachelor’s degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA).
• Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of graduate education and experience may be used; graduate education must be more than one full year.

GS-09

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level, including paralegal or legal work demonstrating basic knowledge of legal research and ability to interpret legal decisions. Examples include examining and processing legal documents; conducting research, analysis, and evaluation of data for complex or sensitive requests; using statistical charts/graphs for trial data; assisting in case/PowerPoint presentations; assisting in writing reports for witness interviews; drafting briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence; using electronic or manual filing systems; documenting findings and preparing recommendations; and searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources.
• Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law, Business Administration, Accounting, Healthcare): 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.
• Combining Education and Experience: Combinations may be used; graduate education must be in excess of 1 full year.

GS-11

Applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level, including analytical paralegal or legal work demonstrating practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Examples include 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; drafting civil correspondence/legal documents pertaining to civil health care fraud, procurement fraud, or other frauds against the government; preparing case/PowerPoint presentations and summaries of analyses; interviewing witnesses; 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, Business Administration, Accounting, Healthcare): 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.
• Combining Education and Experience: Combinations may be used; graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.

Education (Degree/Accreditation Requirements)

• All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• OR education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used if the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
• Applicants are responsible for timely providing evidence that the education is comparable via proof of creditability evaluated by a credentialing agency with application materials.
• Documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Superior Academic Achievement (SAA)

SAA is defined as one of the following:

• Standing in the upper third of the graduating class or major subdivision
• Membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies
• Obtaining a sufficient grade point average as follows:
  • A GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 ("B" or better), as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
  • A GPA of 3.5 or higher out of 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

Compensation & Benefits

• Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.
• The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part: paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
• Additional federal benefits eligibility depends on the type of position held and whether it is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.

Additional Information

• 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.
• Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
• The U.S. government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.
• Political appointees (current or former): OPM must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office.

Location

Not specified in the provided job description.