Paralegal Specialist

Summary

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Miami Field Office, Fines Penalties and Forfeitures Staff, located in Miami, FL. Additional selections may be made for other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.

Duties

This position starts at a salary of $53,740.00 (GS-07, Step 1) to $85,460.00 (GS-09, Step 10) with promotion potential to $123,927.00 (GS-12 Step 10). GS Salary: Visit this link to view the locality pay tables by geographic area. If you do not see your geographic area listed, select the "Rest of United States" pay table. Some positions fall under a special pay rate depending on the series, grade level and location of the position. Please visit this link to view special pay rate charts. GS-07 duties include: Assisting in the initiation and adjudication of civil liabilities arising from seizures, penalties, and claims for liquidated damages. Reviewing investigative reports and case records to ensure all due process considerations are met. Examining petitions filed by individuals, corporations, or attorneys seeking relief from enforcement actions. Organizing own work to ensure the timely performance of a satisfactory amount and quality of work. Participating in on-the-job training to gain practical application of classroom instruction regarding FPF procedures. GS-09 duties include: Initiating and adjudicating civil liabilities arising from seizures, penalties, and liquidated damages under Title 19 and Title 8 (Aliens and Nationality). Evaluating evidence, facts, and circumstances related to cases to make recommendations. Analyzing petitions and appeals for relief from penalties or seizures. Advising supervisors on problems and solutions involving the relationship of FPF work to broader operations. Testifying in court concerning relevant data and enforcement actions. CBP employees demonstrate the highest level of commitment to protect and serve the United States of America and to exemplify the CBP Core Values of Vigilance, Service to Country and Integrity. Learn more about CBP's mission, core values and careers at https://www.cbp.gov/about Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as: Providing administrative support in a legal or regulatory environment. Researching and applying basic laws, regulations, and agency policies. Reviewing documents for accuracy and completeness. Communicating effectively with internal staff and stakeholders. Organizing and prioritizing daily tasks under close supervision. Experience: 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: Processing civil liability cases and applying relevant statutes. Evaluating investigative reports and resolve conflicting statements. Drafting correspondence and recommendations for legal decisions. Working with stakeholders on contested matters regarding illegal immigration or customs violations. Applying Title 8 and Title 19 statutes to enforcement actions. NOTE: Your resume must explicitly indicate how you meet this requirement, otherwise you will be found ineligible. Please see the "Required Documents" section below for additional resume requirements. GS-07 Education Substitution: Graduate Education: Successful completion of one year of full-time graduate education from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 18 semester or 27 quarter hours. OR Undergraduate Education: A bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) may also substitute for the experience required. It is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average (i.e., GPA 3.0 or higher of a possible 4.0, excluding pass/fail credits. Pass/fail credits cannot be more than 10% of total credits), or (3) honor society membership. Review Superior Academic Achievement (SAA) to see if you qualify under this provision. Please see www.opm.gov for additional information. GS-09 Education Substitution: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree, two years of full-time graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at this level. This education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise two years of graduate education. If that information is not available, use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining your total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining your education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify for positions at GS-9 grade level. More information on this qualification standard is located here Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. You must: Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 10/01/2026. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a polit