Paralegal Specialist

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, Swanton Sector, Law Enforcement Operational Programs, located in Swanton, VT.

• Review and evaluate investigative reports and case records.
• Develop and evaluate all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases, and make determinations or decisions and recommendations as appropriate.
• Receive, examine, and evaluate original petitions, supplemental petitions, and appeals.
• Review and make decisions as to the acceptability of evidence in fraud cases and significant seizure cases.

• 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.
• You may be required to pass a background investigation.

You qualify for the GS-09 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Reviewing case materials to become familiar with questions under consideration.
• Searching for and summarizing relevant articles in trade magazines, law reviews, published studies, financial reports, and similar materials.
• Summarizing findings for use by attorneys in the preparation of opinions, briefs, and other legal documents.

You qualify for the GS-11 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Analyzing and evaluating case files against worthiness standards.
• Noting and correcting case file deficiencies.
• Reviewing and analyzing available precedents relevant to cases.
• Performing statistical evaluations as supporting data for cases.
• Interviewing a variety of individuals to gather information.

GS-9: You may substitute a Master's degree or 2 full years of graduate education in any field or a L.L.B. or J.D. degree for the experience required at the GS-9 grade level.

GS-11: You may substitute a Ph.D. or an equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field, or L.L.M for the experience required at the GS-11 grade level.

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.

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.