Paralegal

Overview of the Position The Federal Public Defender, Western District of Texas, is accepting applications for the position of paralegal to be stationed in Austin, Texas. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel.

The paralegal performs legal and administrative duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents that include researching legal issues, drafting motions and orders, and maintaining electronic case files and databases. Paralegals support the assistant federal public defenders by performing duties that include assisting with case file management, gathering, organizing, summarizing, and indexing of electronic and paper documents and other discovery materials. Paralegals also assist attorneys at hearings and trials;

with client contact; with expert and witness interviews; with litigation support services using advanced software programs; and other duties as assigned. The full position qualifications statement with position description is available upon request.

The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of law office operations, legal practices, methods and techniques, and an understanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence. Spanish-language fluency and prior federal court litigation experience are preferred. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check.

To qualify for the position of paralegal, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or have a paralegal certificate from an accredited paralegal program. The position requires occasional travel. Candidates must also possess:

• A strong legal, administrative, or paralegal background.
• Excellent organization, communication, and administrative skills.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, Excel, word processing, legal research tools using Westlaw and Lexis, and database coding, search, and maintenance.
• Excellent command of English grammar and spelling.
• Three to five years of relevant experience, preferably managing complex litigation and/or voluminous case files.
• Experience as a paralegal performing progressively responsible paralegal duties.

The starting salary of a paralegal will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, within a range from JSP-11, Step 1, to JSP-14, Step 1, and currently yielding $76,777 to $129,311 per annum. The position is in the excepted service and does not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. This position offers federal government employment benefits, including participation in health and life insurance, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).

The paralegal performs legal and administrative duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents that include researching legal issues, drafting motions and orders, and maintaining electronic case files and databases. Paralegals support the assistant federal public defenders by performing duties that include assisting with case file management, gathering, organizing, summarizing, and indexing of electronic and paper documents and other discovery materials. Paralegals also assist attorneys at hearings and trials;

with client contact; with expert and witness interviews; with litigation support services using advanced software programs; and other duties as assigned. The full position qualifications statement with position description is available upon request.

The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of law office operations, legal practices, methods and techniques, and an understanding of criminal law, procedure, and evidence. Spanish-language fluency and prior federal court litigation experience are preferred. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check.