Supervisory Paralegal Specialist

Summary Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, located in Detroit, MI. Responsibilities In this position as a Supervisory Paralegal Specialist, you will serve as a first line supervisor in the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) office and may be delegated full authority to act for the FPF Officer (FPFO), performing and supervising administrative and operational work of the FPF Program. This position starts at a salary of $114,031.00 (GS-13, Step 1) to $148,245.00 (GS-13, Step 10). Major Duties for this position include, but are not limited to: Providing technical and administrative guidance and assignments to subordinates. Establishing work schedules, priorities, deadlines, and standards for acceptable work, coordinating and integrating with others that interface with the work process. Effecting minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action to the FPFO. Assigning work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments and the capabilities of employees. Developing performance standards and evaluating the work performance of subordinate employees. Receiving, examining, and evaluating petitions and supplemental petitions filed by individuals, attorneys, corporations, or other legal entities seeking relief from forfeiture of seizures, penalties, and liquidated damages. Reviewing and making decisions as to the acceptability of evidence in fraud cases, significant seizure cases, and in any case of unusual circumstances and complexity. Preparing responses and overseeing the processing of the Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act (FOIA/PA) requests. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below) You may be required to pass a background investigation CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures. As an employee of CBP, you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees, and to CBP employees specifically, as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty, these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity, to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link. DHS uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities. Financial Disclosure is required. Bargaining Unit: This position is not covered under the bargaining unit. Qualifications Experience: You qualify for the GS-13 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Reviewing and processing all cases within their area of authority through to final adjudication and solution Assuring that the elements necessary in order to establish a violation are present and are supported by substantiated documentation Developing and evaluating of evidence, facts, and circumstances and all other incidents and information relative to the case, Identifying ways to improve work processes to improve productivity and quality of work performed. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 06/07/2024. The Office of Personnel Management (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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information, review the following links: Background investigation and the e-QIP process. Residency: There is a residency requirement for all applicants not currently employed by CBP. Individuals are required to have physically resided in the United States or its protectorates (as declared under international law) for at least three of the last five years. If you do not meet the residency requirement and you have been physically located in a foreign location for more than two of the last five years, you may request an exception to determine if you are eligible for a residency waiver by meeting one or more of the following conditions: Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university Working as a contractor, intern, consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government Probationary Period: All employees new to the federal government must serve a one year probationary period during the first year of his/her initial permanent federal appointment to determine fitness for continued employment. Current and former federal employees may be required to serve or complete a probationary period. Supervisory Probationary Period: You may be required to serve an 18 month probationary period upon appointment. Education Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information if education is applicable to this position. Additional Information Incumbent may be required to carry an electronic communication device. Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete the following paid training: Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Basic Training; 3 weeks, Charleston, SC. Custody and Management of Seized Property Alternate Class; 2 weeks, Charleston, SC. Designated Agency Representative: Treasury Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture webinar. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position, demotion, or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures. Leadership Training: All newly appointed first-time CBP Supervisors are required to complete mandatory training. The training will be scheduled by the Office of Training and Development within the first 90 days of appointment. The duration of the training will include 3 weeks of in residence training in Harpers Ferry, WV. Note: This training may be waived if previously completed. Please view the video "Protecting America 24/7" to learn more about CBP's Office of Field Operations. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.