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Paralegal Specialist

Department of Justice
Justice, Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
12/19/2025 to 12/23/2025
Salary
$64,815 to - $98,653 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09 - 11
Location
Florence, CO
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - Travel may be required for training and/or work related issues.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
FLC-2026-0032
Control number
852970800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

• BOP Employees nationwide • DOJ Surplus and Displaced (CTAP) Employees in the local commuting area. • Duty Location: FCC Florence, CO •NOTE: A RETENTION INCENTIVE UP TO 13% MAY BE OFFERED TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION INCENTIVE.

Duties

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Assists in the preparation for litigation, analyzes facts and legal questions, and performs similar functions.

Evaluates and prepares proposed disposition letters for more complex claims submitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Civilian Employee's Claims Act, and Section 3722 of Title 31, United States Code.

Research and analyze legal issues involved, conduct a supplemental investigation if the initial investigation of the claim so warrants.

Prepares difficult interrogatory responses, litigation reports, requirements for government attorneys, and compiles records in response to Requests for Production pursuant to Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures.

Responsible for locating new sources of information which may involve contact or correspondence with other departments and agencies, interviews staff and investigation of facts and allegations.

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position, and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.

Career Transition Programs (CTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

  • 1. Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
  • 2. Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
  • 3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility.

NOTE: Applicants claiming CTAP eligibility must complete all assessment questions to be rated under the established ranking criteria.

Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.

Education


GL-09: 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.

GS-11: 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.

Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Experience

GL-09 and GS-11

You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Some examples of this qualifying experience are:

GL-09:

  • Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation.
  • Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures.
  • Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record pursuant to FOIA/PA in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and/or other litigation.
  • Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, selecting and compiling substantive information, applying statues and appropriate legal precedents, and preparation of responsive legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, and/or requests for representation).

GS-11:

  • Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation, and substantiating rationale in the event of appeal.
  • Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to variety of complex legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures.
  • Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, conducting supplemental investigation/witness interviews for development of facts, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and other litigation.
  • Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, applying statutes and other legal precedents, selecting and compiling substantive information, recommending action/response, and following required procedures in the preparation and submission of legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, requests for representation, others).

OR

Combination of Education and Experience

GL-09 and GS-11: Have a combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.

If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.

**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**

Education

See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). 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, Click Here.

Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.

Additional information

In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution

The representative rate for this position is $83,478 per annum ($40.00 per hour).

Special Conditions of Employment Section:

Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit checks.

All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.

The Core Value Assessment (CVA) is an in-person assessment that must be facilitated at a Bureau of Prisons Human Resource Servicing office. On the day of the scheduled interview, a CVA will be administered. The applicant assessment must be completed within a 70 minute time period and a passing score of 68 must be obtained. Further employment consideration will not be extended if the applicant fails to complete the examination or fails to achieve a passing score. Note: The Core Value Assessment will not be administered to current BOP employees.

Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques," three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.

The addresses listed on the USAJOBS account/resume must be the primary residence at the time of application. You may be required to provide proof of residence.

Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.

Although competitive and non-competitive applications are being accepted, the selecting official may elect to have only one group reviewed.

NOTE: A RETENTION INCENTIVE UP TO 13% MAY BE OFFERED TO SELECTEE(S) WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR RETENTION INCENTIVE.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

  • your performance and conduct;
  • the needs and interests of the agency;
  • whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
  • whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Exceptions may apply. See 5 CFR part 11.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

If your composite score exceeds the average score for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your online assessment responses and utilized to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement.  If your selections are not supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

There are several parts of the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application:

  • Your resume, which is part of your USAJOBS profile;
  • Your responses to the eligibility questions;
  • Your responses to the online assessment;
  • Your supporting documentation, if required.

Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements for consideration. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

If you applied to more than one grade level, BE ADVISED that you may be selected at ANY grade level for which you applied and are found qualified (i.e., if the job is announced at the 9/11 grade levels and you apply for the GS/GL-9 and the GS-11,and you are found qualified at BOTH grade levels, you may be selected at either grade level).

What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position?

The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required:

GL-09:

  • Ability to communicate orally.
  • Ability to communicate in writing.
  • Ability to research, analyze and evaluate information.
  • Knowledge of legal and general reference materials.

GS-11:

  • Ability to communicate orally.
  • Ability to communicate in writing.
  • Knowledge of correctional issues.
  • Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate information.

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