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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Paralegal Specialist - FOR (Open to Current FBI Employees) - All Field Offices

Lenexa, KS

Who May Apply

Job Posting Title: Paralegal Specialist - FOR (Open to Current FBI Employees) - All Field Offices

Are you interested in a career with the FBI supporting investigative and intelligence operations at America's premier national security and law enforcement agency? Do you have experience or the desire to work with supporting the legal functions carried out by an FBI field office?

As a Paralegal Specialist - Forfeiture (FOR) you will work with providing administrative, research, and analytical support for forfeiture related cases/matters. You will provide opinions and/or analysis of continuing investigations where there are potential forfeitures; performing analysis of seizures during the processing of cases and assessing findings to prepare statement of probable case in support of forfeiture.

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking for Paralegal Specialists - FOR for all 56 FBI Field Offices .

All qualified candidates within the United States and its territories may apply.

This posting will close on October 1st, 2020 at 11:59 PM EST.

Questions regarding this posting should be addressed to FBI_FOStaffing@fbi.gov .

About Us

The mission of the FBI is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

FBI Field Offices

The FBI has 56 field offices (falling within a Division of the same name) centrally located in major metropolitan areas across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. They are places where the Bureau carries out its investigations, assesses local and regional crime threats, and works closely with partners on cases and operations. Each field office is overseen by a Special Agent in Charge, except for the offices in Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C., which are headed by an Assistant Director in Charge due to their large size.

Working Hours: May vary depending on Field Office needs

Travel: Some may be required; dependent on Field Office needs

Salary & Benefits

GS 07: $37,301.00 - $48,488.00

GS 09: $45,627.00 - $59,316.00

GS 11: $55,204.00 - $71,764.00

GS 12: $66,167.00 - $86,021.00

NOTE: The salaries listed above are the Base rate of pay for federal employees on the General Schedule (GS) pay scale. A complete list of Pay Tables factoring in locality pay (based on the geographical area) can be found on OPM.gov .

The FBI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Full Performance Level: GS 12

Key Requirements
  • Must be a current, permanent FBI employee.
  • Must be able to obtain an SCI clearance.
  • Some travel may be required.
  • Must have (or be able to obtain) a valid driver's license.
  • Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
Major Duties

As a Paralegal Specialist - FOR you will:
  • Performs assignments involving the analysis, evaluation, and development of forfeiture cases and assists in case preparation for litigation and the in the execution of search warrants.
  • Determines the identity of persons requiring legal notice and obtains supporting documents and records.
  • Prepares documents relating to seized property and initiates action to accomplish the seizure, forfeiture, and disposition of property, as well as follow-up correspondence.
  • Coordinates disposition of property with various levels/agencies and ensures accounting of costs and classification of expenses.
  • Drafts subpoenas when necessary to obtain documents, records, or testimony; prepares search/seizure warrants and affidavits to include identifying assets that can be seized and items of evidentiary value on the forfeiture portion of the investigation.
  • Appears in court as a witness to testify concerning civil/criminal forfeiture actions.
  • Reviews information in case files to identify potentially forfeitable assets in accordance with prospective guidelines and appropriate titles of forfeiture law.
Qualification Requirements

Applicants can qualify for GS level based on Specialized Experience (SE), Education, or a combination of both as outlined below.

Your application will be evaluated for Specialized Experience (SE) and/or Education and will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements for each GS level. If you meet all qualification requirements, and are deemed Competitive, you will be referred for further consideration. Self-assessment that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents, will eliminate you from Competitive status.

Applicants must meet ALL posting requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience (SE)

In order for you to qualify based on Specialized Experience (SE) alone, you must possess the SE listed below in order to qualify for the various GS levels. Please ensure all specialized experience can be identified in your resume.

GS 07: Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 05 level, as defined below:
  • Assisted in assignments involving administrative matters.
  • Conducted database research in order to ensure proper entry and utilization of information.
  • Researched various sources in order to evaluate routine requests.
  • Communicated orally with various individuals in order to provide information and the status of a case.
  • Prepared drafts of documents relating to administrative matters.
GS 09: In addition to the above, applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 07 level, as defined below:
  • Processed administrative claims and other litigation matters.
  • Researched various legal and regulatory sources in order to evaluate routine requests.
  • Analyzed case information to identify relevant issues related to administrative claims, civil or criminal complaints and/or litigation.
  • Prepared documents relating to seized property.
  • Orally communicated to obtain additional information and/or evidence.
GS 11: In addition to the above, applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 09 level, as defined below:
  • Analyzed, evaluated, and developed a variety of complex forfeiture cases.
  • Assisted in forfeiture case preparation for litigation.
  • Performed extensive title searches to determine true ownership of real property.
  • Prepared written recommendations regarding forfeiture matters.
  • Orally communicated the substance of cases with others involved in proceeding with forfeiture matters.
GS 12: In addition to the above, applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 11 level, as defined below:
  • Researched and analyzed documentation and evidence in support of forfeiture cases which range from conveyances and money to large tracts of real property.
  • Based on researched and analysis, provided written evaluation and recommendation as to potential forfeiture matters.
  • Orally communicated the substance of cases with others involved in proceeding with forfeiture matters.
Education

All degrees must be from an accredited college or university. Education may be substituted for specialized experience as follows:

GS 07: Applicant must have a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or one (1) full year of graduate level education. Superior academic achievement is the completion of all the requirements of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, which is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average of 3.0 or higher as recorded on an official transcript, or as based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum, or (3) honor society membership.

GS 09: Applicant must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

GS 11: Applicant must have a Ph.D. OR equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related.

GS 12: Specialized experience may not be substituted for specialized experience at this grade level.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above requirements provided you can show foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

How to Apply

For detailed instructions related to applying, uploading documents, withdrawing an application or updating your application, please review instructions on How to Apply . You must complete this application process and submit all required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please use the contact information listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

Required Documents

The required documents include:
  1. A resume (noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates)
  2. A complete online assessment questionnaire
  3. College transcript(s) (if qualifying based on education)

For current or former federal employees:
  • Notification of your most recent Personnel Action, SF-50 (showing current grade level and salary).
  • Most recent Performance Appraisal (if available). Please Note: This does not apply to current FBI employees.
Additional Information
  • Failure to provide necessary and relevant information required by this vacancy announcement may disqualify you from consideration. Additional information will not be requested if your application is incomplete. You application will be evaluated solely on the basis of information you have submitted.
  • Management may select any grade for which this position has been announced.
  • Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for an actual assignment and performance of higher-level duties.
  • Limited Movement: Policy has been implemented wherein support employees entering a position through a competitive OR non-competitive action may be precluded from moving to another position within the Bureau by means of reassignment or change to lower grade for a minimum of 12 months. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their two-year probationary period has concluded. Probationary employees may be considered for competitive vacancies that are advertised within their respective division or field office after serving 90 days within the FBI. HRD will waive this limited movement policy for qualified employees, who have received an official notification letter that their current position is being relocated to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama by 2021, so those employees can compete for a position elsewhere.
  • Candidates will not be considered if currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP); a Letter of Requirement (LOR); or have failed a PIP or LOR and are currently awaiting the final action by HRD.
a. A Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is a 90-day written developmental plan for an employee whose performance on one or more critical elements is rated "Unacceptable."

b. A Letter of Requirement (LOR) is issued when a supervisor identifies leave abuse and/or when frequent absences negatively impact operations of an office.
  • Relocation expenses will be borne by the selectee, except FBI employees returning from LEGAT assignment. Employees returning from LEGAT assignments must advise the Staffing and Administrative Unit / International Operations Division of their application for this position.
  • On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This law may impact your transfer. This legislation made previously non-taxed moving expense reimbursements taxable as of January 1, 2018. Please see HR Link for a list of the FBI's current understanding of the applicable tax changes. However, this may change upon receipt of official guidance from GSA and DOJ.
  • Current law provides the FBI with the authority to compensate employees for much of the tax burden caused by a transfer through the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) process. At this time, it is unclear whether this authority addresses the full impact of the recent change in the tax law. GSA and DOJ are currently reviewing the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR), including the RITA process, in an effort to identify ways to minimize the additional tax burden on transferring employees.
  • Candidates receiving a transfer of physical location, whether at the expense of the FBI or not, will be required to complete a one year commitment to the assignment, prior to moving to a new position at the FBI. The 12-month waiting period begins the day an employee reports for duty at the new location.
  • Employees selected for positions where a transfer of location is required, will be processed through the name check program prior to being notified of their selection.
  • Memorandum of Understanding: Work performed outside assigned duties (that would not normally be documented on an SF-50, i. e., back-up duties), has to be documented in detail by an immediate supervisor in order to receive full credit for amount of time worked in that position. If no documentation is furnished no credit will be given for time worked in that position. The following notations must be specified in the documentation (Memorandum of Understanding):
a. Percent of time worked in the particular position (cannot conflict with main duties)
b. The month/year work began
c. Frequency worked (i.e., daily, monthly, etc.)
d. Specific duties performed

Attach the Memorandum of Understanding to your application in the "Cover Letters and Attachments" section of My Career Tools on the Careers Home page. Please upload the attachment as type "Other."

Nepotism

Nepotism is the act of favoring relatives in the hiring process, and is prohibited by law. Public officials are prohibited from hiring or promoting relatives, or relatives of officials in their chain of command, as well as actively or indirectly endorsing a relative's appointment or promotion. During the hiring process, all selected candidates and FBI hiring managers will be required to certify they are not related to anyone involved in the hiring process.

Reasonable Accommodation Request

The FBI provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please notify the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Affairs (OEEOA) Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Program by either e-mail at REASONABLE_ACCOMMODATIONS@ic.fbi.gov , telephone at 202-324-4128, or FAX at 202-324-3976. Your request will receive an individualized assessment.
This e-mail address is only for reasonable accommodation requests. Please do not submit your application and/or any questions unrelated to reasonable accommodations. Should any applications be received, they will not be forwarded for consideration during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The FBI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for this vacancy. Except where otherwise prohibited by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age, sex, sexual orientation, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Job ID: fbi-33076
Employment Type: Other

Perks and Benefits

  • Health and Wellness

    • Health Insurance
    • Health Reimbursement Account
    • Dental Insurance
    • Vision Insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • On-Site Gym
  • Parental Benefits

    • Birth Parent or Maternity Leave
    • Non-Birth Parent or Paternity Leave
  • Work Flexibility

    • Flexible Work Hours
  • Office Life and Perks

    • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Vacation and Time Off

    • Paid Vacation
    • Paid Holidays
    • Personal/Sick Days
    • Sabbatical
    • Leave of Absence
  • Financial and Retirement

    • 401(K)
    • Pension
    • Relocation Assistance
  • Professional Development

    • Tuition Reimbursement
    • Learning and Development Stipend
    • Internship Program
    • Leadership Training Program
    • Access to Online Courses
    • Promote From Within
  • Diversity and Inclusion

    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program

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