Paralegal Specialist

Please see announcement on USAJOBS for available locations.

Organizational

Location:

This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Buffalo Field Office, Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Staff, located in Buffalo, New York. Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

This position starts at a salary of $93,598.00 (GS‑12, Step 1) to $ (GS‑12, Step 10). GS Salary:
Visit this link to view the locality pay tables. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. In this Paralegal Specialist position you will become a key member of a team of homeland security professionals providing legal support for the law‑enforcement duties at the port level.

Typical work assignments include:

• Reviewing and adjudicating seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages within the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) Officer’s authority through to solution.
• Reviewing and making determinations as to the presence of probable cause and/or the acceptability of evidence in order to ensure the sufficiency of cases within the jurisdiction of the FPF Officer.
• Applying risk‑management principles and techniques to effectively manage, prioritize, and complete the daily workload.
• Composing written correspondence and briefings to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

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.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position. Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service. Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years is required. All pre‑employment processes will be conducted in English. 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 expected to adhere to all government ethics standards and CBP‑specific ethics rules, including obtaining approval for outside employment. DHS uses E‑Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.

NOTE:

Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible.

Experience:

You qualify for the GS‑12 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:

• Developing and evaluating all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases and making determinations and recommendations within the requirements of mitigation guidelines, laws, and regulations.
• Preparing clear and concise statements of fact and exercising sound judgment in arriving at decisions.
• Reviewing and making decisions as to the acceptability of evidence in fraud cases, significant seizures cases, and cases involving penalties and liquidated damages.
• Preparing and issuing final decision letters stating findings of fact and conclusions of law.

There is no education substitution at the GS‑12 grade level for this occupation. Experience includes paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work through National Service programs such as Peace…