Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to individuals who received a bachelor or advanced degree from a qualifying educational institution within two years (or longer for certain veterans) of submitting an application for employment under this authority.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide substantive legal support to the Office's Deputy Solicitors General, Assistants to the Solicitor General, attorneys in the various divisions of the department, and officials and attorneys in other governmental agencies in the preparation of cases for litigation in the Supreme Court or another judicial appellate body before which the Solicitor General decides to participate as an amicus curiae.

At the full performance level GS-11 the duties and responsibilities of this Paralegal Specialist position include but are not limited to:

• Provide high caliber paralegal support; communicate well orally and in writing with individuals and peers, conduct meticulous research of legislative materials and case law.
• Manage and organize multiple assignments with varying deadlines and conflicting priorities.
• Act independently, work closely with attorneys to identify the type of assistance needed on cases; provide timely, responsive assistance.
• Identify the need for additional information, analyses, reviews, and highlights changes in statutory, legislative history, guidance, and case law developments.
• Locate and evaluate official, primary legal sources that are difficult to find, obscure, problematic, antiquated, or archival.
• Use electronic and hardcopy federal and state statutes, electronic or hardcopy federal and state reporter systems to conduct research.
• Conduct research using various resources and legal databases, sherardize citations to determine whether cases cited have been reaffirmed, overturned, cited by later cases or questioned.
• Compile legislative histories to verify the accuracy of citations, quotations, paraphrasing, assertions, and parenthetical information regarding sources cited briefs, court documents, and legal publications.
• Review and edit a variety of briefs: amicus briefs, briefs in opposition, merits briefs, reply to briefs, petitions, appendices, applicable titles of law; jurisdictional statements, implementing laws-and regulations; court decisions, Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States; Uniform System of Citation (Blue Book); and OSG's Rules of Citations and practice.
• Advise attorneys and other officials on the accuracy and relevancy of citations quotations, paraphrasing, parenthetical information, and other references; and propose reliable additions of relevant citations and other references for the improvement of the brief.
• Exercise judgment and discretion in determining what information may be provided and to whom.
• Proofread, distribute, and review page proofs (final document for publication) for accuracy and completeness of legal citations for all briefs; collates all citations to a master copy for final printing before submission to the Court.

Conditions of employment

This vacancy is open to RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree within the last two years (Certain veterans may have up to six years) to apply.

Learn more about the College Graduate Hiring Authority

In addition, you must also meet the specific qualifications requirements for this announcement and the occupational series and grade of this position as described in the Qualifications section below.

Please pay careful attention to the entire announcement to ensure you understand these important requirements.

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You must successfully pass a security/background investigation and drug screening.
• You will be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary or trial period.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• Under Recent College Graduate regulations, you are eligible only if you have received a bachelor or advanced degree within the last two years.
• You must meet all eligibility requirements by the submission date of your application and meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.
• Additional selections may be made from this announcement, at any time, if openings occur in other offices serviced by Justice Management Division, HR Operations.
• Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
• Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
• New employees to the Department of Justice will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-09, you MUST meet the eligibility requirements and possess specialized experience: Your resume must demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service performing duties which include but are not limited to: researching and reviewing legal, policy, or scholarly memoranda, publications, or other comparable documents.

OR

Have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

To qualify for the Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-11, you MUST meet the eligibility requirements and possess specialized experience: Your resume must demonstrate one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service performing duties that include, but are not limited to: advanced legal research and writing (involving sources such as legislative history, judicial decisions, and other legal precedents), or comparable advanced policy research and writing.

OR

Have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/25/2025.

Your resume must support your responses to the questionnaire and 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered.

Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. As vacancies occur, the Human Resources Office will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this flyer.

You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume, along with your supporting documentation. If selected, you may be required to provide additional supporting documentation. If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may be found ineligible/not qualified.

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

All qualification requirements must be met before being considered for any vacancies.