Paralegal Specialist

at Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office in Bangor, Maine, United States

Job Description

Summary For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys’ Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to All U.S. Citizens and Nationals under 26-ME-13005749-DE. Responsibilities The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine has a position available for a Paralegal Specialist in our Criminal Division. The Paralegal Specialist vacancy is in our branch office, located in Bangor, central Maine’s largest city. Bangor is a vibrant, livable small city located on the Penobscot River and less than one hour from Acadia National Park and Maine’s famous rocky coast. As a paralegal, you will have the opportunity to work with federal prosecutors on cases that have a direct impact on the lives of Americans who live in Maine and across the country. Paralegals provide assistance in legal research and writing as well as reviewing evidence in cases involving violent crimes and various aspects of litigation. If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you! You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty, and the property of citizens. For additional information regarding our office, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me.If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing legal and litigative support to the Criminal Division for the District of Maine. The Office has one opening for a Paralegal Specialist in our Bangor branch within the Criminal Division. First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by September 18, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. Thereafter, the applicant list will be reviewed every 30 days. As needed, additional positions may be filled. Typical work assignments will include: Review and organize complex factual material and other documentary data for investigations and trials. Prepare a variety of substantive legal documents to include extradition requests, grand jury and trial subpoenas, interrogatory requests, and documentation relevant to acquiring evidence or testimony. Provide advice on the most efficient method for preparing legal documents. Use tables and citation checking with efficiency. Develop and enter various case material into a computer database. Prepare charts, graphs, and tables to illustrate results. Prepare, develop, compile, or maintain jury instructions in preparing for trial. Prepare exhibits for trial, which typically involve a wide range of visual materials. Provide litigation case management and organize cases for court presentation. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications GS-07: To be eligible at the GS-7 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level. Specialized experience is defined as: drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; reviewing legal documents to extract information related to specific issues; verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; utilizing various computerized database programs to include automated legal research tools and public information to organize extensive documents; conducting research. Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice Law): One full year of graduate level education leading to a Master’s degree or higher; or a completed Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, with Superior Academic Achievement, as defined by the Office of Personnel Management’s Qualification Standards. Superior Academic Achievement is the completion of a full four year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree and meets one of the following provisions: (1) grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher for all completed undergraduate course work or for all courses completed in the last two full years of undergraduate work; (2) GPA of 3.5 or higher for all courses in the major field of study, or those courses in a major completed in the last two full years of undergraduate work; (3) ranking in the upper one-third of a college, university, or major subdivision or (4) membership in a national scholastic honor society. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be more than one full year. GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level. Specialized experience is defined as: examining and processing a variety of legal documents; conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to complex or sensitive requests; drafting briefs, pleadings, litigation recommendations, or other legal documents and correspondence; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; document findings and preparing recommendations; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel. Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice Law): Master’s degree or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.); or two full years of progressively higher-level education leading to such a degree. Applicants with a J.D. are strongly encouraged to apply. GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a Combination of Education and Experience. Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level. Specialized experience is defined as: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing legal briefs, summaries of analysis and decisions, and pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; preparing evidence and documents to support recommendations; assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits; using a variety of electronic or manual filing systems to acquire and store information; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel. Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice Law): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M. Combining Education and Experience at GS-09 and GS-11 Level: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. To qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be more than two full years. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible di