The United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, is seeking highly motivated individuals to fill entry-level, trainee Paralegal Specialist positions in our Technology and Financial Services Section in the Washington, DC Office. The Paralegals who are selected will perform legal duties in support of attorneys engaged in matters involving the Department of Justice's review of the business practices of market-leading online platforms
Summary
The United States Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, is seeking highly motivated individuals to fill entry-level, trainee Paralegal Specialist positions in our Technology and Financial Services Section in the Washington, DC Office. The Paralegals who are selected will perform legal duties in support of attorneys engaged in matters involving the Department of Justice's review of the business practices of market-leading online platforms
The Incumbent serves as Paralegal Specialist for Digital Markets with a focus on the business practices of companies competing in online markets, and as such:
Performs factual research using evidentiary files, library reference materials, corporate records, private and governmental studies, computer databases, internet resources, and other pertinent sources to supply needed factual information for inclusion in memoranda, briefs, and similar documents.
Assists Attorneys in preparing for and conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses; assists attorneys in preparation for depositions, including working with court reporting agencies, preparing exhibits, and attending on-site depositions.
Takes accurate notes during witness interviews and promptly prepares reliable, concise memoranda from those notes.
Performs screening and substantive analysis of significant electronic productions and hard copy materials prior to review by attorneys; codes electronic documents and categorizes hard copy documents in accordance with case priorities.
Assists technical support staff with the preparation and organization of electronic document review databases; works with technical support staff to resolve issues with incoming productions.
Organizes and maintains tracking logs for all incoming and outgoing case-related material.
Prepares and organizes charts, graphs, and other materials to be used for internal memoranda and presentations as well as exhibits in court.
Prepares tables of content, indexes, and tables of authorities for legal briefs, memoranda, and other such documents; reviews and researches citations, footnotes, textual references, and other entries for accuracy.
Prepares routine correspondence.
Travels to any on-site trials or discovery locations and while there provides similar paralegal support as described above.
You must be a US citizen to be considered for this position.
You must undergo a pre-employment security investigation.
You may be required to take and successfully clear a drug test.
You must submit a complete application package by closing.
You must meet all qualification requirements by closing.
SELECTIVE SERIVCE: All male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service (see http://www.sss.gov/). If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.
DIRECT DEPOSIT: All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
This is a full time, term appointment in the competitive service, eligible for inclusion in the bargaining unit.
This is a non-supervisory appointment, subject to a one-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR 316.304.
The Antitrust Division participates in the E-Verify program.
When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
Applications mailed using government postage and/or internal federal government mailing systems are in violation of agency and postal regulations and will not be accepted.
Please Note: Additional selections may be made from this announcement. Also, a writing sample may be requested of individuals identified as best qualified, to be forwarded to the selecting official along with your application package, upon referral.
Qualifications
To qualify at the GS-07 level, applicants must demonstrate the qualifications listed below:
A. One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Examples of specialized experience include: developing, authorizing or examining claims or applications that required resolving conflicting data and interpreting a body of laws, rules, regulations and policies; preparing or reviewing contracts or other legal instruments for legal sufficiency and conformance with applicable laws; selecting and analyzing information to determine the intent of statutes, treaties, and executive orders or legal decisions, opinions, and rulings; or investigating and analyzing evidence of alleged or suspected violations of laws or regulations; OR
B. One (1) full year of graduate level education; OR
C. A combination of education and experience; OR
D. Meet one of the following superior academic achievement provisions:
A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for all completed undergraduate course work or for all courses completed in the last two full years of undergraduate work;
A GPA of 3.5 or higher for all courses in the major field of study, or those courses in a major completed in the last two full years of undergraduate work;
Rank in the upper one-third of a college, university, or major subdivision; or
Membership in a national honor society or successful completion of one full year of graduate level study.
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. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/.
Additional details regarding Superior Academic Achievement can be found online.
Applicants using any education to qualify MUST submit copies of college transcripts or a list of college courses taken that identify for each course the college or university, semester or quarter hours earned, grade and grade-point received. An unofficial transcript is acceptable to qualify, but it must include your full name. If selected, you may be asked to submit an official transcript prior to appointment.
Please Note: Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position as described below, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Additional information
Application Requirements/Additional Information: The Career Transition Assistance Plan (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 rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category (80 and above) using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is online.
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over candidates from other agencies 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 over other applicants who are not employees of the Department of Justice if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP 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 rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category (80 and above) using established category rating criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application 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 online.
Veterans Preference: If you claim Veterans Preference, please indicate on your résumé the type of preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming. To determine your eligibility you can find additional information online. NOTE: To verify your veteran preference entitlement, please submit a Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) showing your military service was performed under honorable conditions. (1) If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of the SF-15, Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference. (2) If you are claiming 10-point DERIVED PREFERENCE as a relative you must submit Member Copy 4 of the veteran's DD-214, and an SF-15, in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of this form. If you fail to do so, you will receive consideration as a non-veteran.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the basic qualifications for the position listed in this announcement. Please Note: Basic qualifications will be determined based on a comparison of your resume against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in the position requirements.
If you are found to be minimally qualified for this position, your resume and supporting documentation will be further assessed and compared to the responses of your occupational/assessment questionnaire. The rating you receive will be based on your responses to the Questionnaire. The rating is a measure of the degree to which your background matches the competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position, and will determine the rank in which you place (Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Best Qualified). The "Best Qualified" candidates may be contacted to submit a job market paper or relevant writing sample prior to being referred for selection
Candidates within the "Best Qualified" category who are eligible for veteran preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
Your application will be further assessed based upon the following competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities:
Educational Experience (ACWA)
Mathematical Skills (ACWA)
Rating (ACWA)
Social Organizations (ACWA)
Work Experience (ACWA)
Using Category Rating procedures, we will determine the "Best Qualified" candidates, who will then be referred for selection. Candidates within the "Best Qualified" category who are eligible for veteran preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
If, after reviewing your resume and or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score can and will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities. Please follow all instructions carefully as errors or omissions may affect your rating.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
Cover Letter (optional).
Résumé or equivalent - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume and cover letter. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences, as represented in their résumé, clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position, and the competencies and technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Completed Assessment Questionnaire.
Transcript - If you are qualifying for this position based on education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript.
Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples Include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc.
If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member Copy-4), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it online or call 1-800-827-1000.
RESUME REQUIREMENTS:
ALL APPLICANTS: you must submit a résumé supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire. The federal government has very specific résumé requirements. If you have not written a federal résumé before, you may want to watch this Resume Writing Tutorialvideo on the USAJOBS YouTube channel, or read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your résumé. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements.
Your résumé should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of each employer.
For all types of work experience, you should indicate the start and end date (include month and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that your worked.
Your résumé should also include any education and training you have complete (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/11/2020 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Note: If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Karen Jung at Karen.Jung@usdoj.gov or (202) 514-8885 to obtain an alternative application.
Antitrust Division
450 5th Street, NW
Washington
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the announcement closes, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications based on the application we receive. Ranking will be determined based on responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 to 60 days of the closing date of this announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package which includes:
Cover Letter (optional).
Résumé or equivalent - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume and cover letter. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences, as represented in their résumé, clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position, and the competencies and technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Completed Assessment Questionnaire.
Transcript - If you are qualifying for this position based on education, or a combination of education and experience, you must submit a copy of your transcript.
Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples Include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc.
If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member Copy-4), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it online or call 1-800-827-1000.
RESUME REQUIREMENTS:
ALL APPLICANTS: you must submit a résumé supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire. The federal government has very specific résumé requirements. If you have not written a federal résumé before, you may want to watch this Resume Writing Tutorialvideo on the USAJOBS YouTube channel, or read through a helpful Resume Writing FAQ on the USAJOBS Help Site to learn what details you should, and should not, include in your résumé. A CV (curriculum vitae) may not contain enough information to meet these resume requirements.
Your résumé should list all work experience (paid and unpaid); you must list the full name and address of each employer.
For all types of work experience, you should indicate the start and end date (include month and year); you must also list the average number of hours per week that your worked.
Your résumé should also include any education and training you have complete (list the program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 02/11/2020 to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Note: If you are unable to apply online, you must request an alternative application which is available from the Human Resources Office. Please contact Karen Jung at Karen.Jung@usdoj.gov or (202) 514-8885 to obtain an alternative application.
Antitrust Division
450 5th Street, NW
Washington
Washington, DC 20530
US
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. After the announcement closes, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications based on the application we receive. Ranking will be determined based on responses to the Assessment Questionnaire. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 30 to 60 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
