Paralegal Specialist

Candidates for this and every DoD SkillBridge internship opportunity with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are able to intern for 180, 120, and 90 days and MUST be at least 11 MONTHS away from (outside of) separation. Why 11 months? We are able to host SkillBridge interns for their final 180, 120, and/or 90 days on active-duty depending on the individual service-member’s situation. We use the time prior to their finite internship dates to complete our required HR actions to include getting them in front of hiring managers, having interviews conducted, selection decisions being made, “Qualifications Reviews” successfully completed on their resumes clearly demonstrating that they have the required experience, etc. for the positions for which they are being considered, along with a 3 to 5 month (on average) full CBP Background Investigation (BI) that MUST be completed prior to internship start dates.MAJOR DUTIESServes as a paralegal specialist in the Office of Chief Counsel. Assists higher-level journeyman specialists with selection, assembly, summary, and compilation of substantive information by use of statutes, regulations, department orders, digests, commentaries, legal instruments, and other legal reference material. Assists in case preparation for litigation and with research and analysis of facts and legal questions. In this capacity the DoD SkillBridge intern:• Supports the Office of Chief Counsel and Department of Justice trial attorneys as necessary in gathering, assembling, and preparing CBP documents in support of CBP’s position with respect to cases to be litigated in administrative processes and in the Federal Court system• Under the direction of a higher-level journeyman specialist, the incumbent receives and assists with analyzing, investigating, and making recommendations of action on submissions in connection with administrative and judicial cases• Examines and evaluates requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, and determines if documents ore segregable portions of them can be released under the supervision of a higher-level journeyman paralegal• Analyzes, searches, and forwards administrative court pleading records to appropriate parties in compliance with requests for information, including discovery regarding pending or completed cases• Collects facts from internal and external sources and assists with the preparation of litigation reports in connection with lawsuits filed against CBP• Assists with the search of administrative and court pleadings records for submission by the senior paralegal to the appropriate parties in compliance with requests for information• Works closely with the office personnel at headquarters and in the field in support of the office caseload and processing needs to ensure that all information that may have an effect on current cases is made available to office personnel and assists with the organization and recording of a high volume of litigation case records, support documentation (i.e., exhibits, evidence), and correspondence and legal reference material• Consults with other Federal and state agencies regarding the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act regulations and related cases. Requests and coordinates related lawsuits with staff and field attorneys, Department of Justice trial attorneys, and numerous personnel of other departments under the direction of a higher-level journeyman specialist.• Performs other duties as assigned, such as: general or specific administrative support functions as required in areas such as: information systems, procurement, security, training, and travel.

JOB LOCATIONS (3)

ABOUT THE JOB

MAJOR DUTIES Reviews and adjudicates seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages within the FPF Officer's authority through to resolution. Serves as the lead coordinator for enforcement actions generated by CBP field personnel, to include CBP Officers, CBP Agricultural Specialists, the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (Centers), and Drawback Specialists, as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI). Applies statutes and regulations for other government agencies. Assures that all due process considerations are met, the elements necessary to establish the legal sufficiency of the violation are present, and supporting documentation is provided. Reviews and evaluates investigative reports and case files. Requests additional information from appropriate officers and special agents within DHS. Evaluates all evidence, facts, and circumstances relating to cases and makes determinations and recommendations as appropriate within the requirements of the mitigation guidelines, policies, laws and regulations, and violators’ participation in partnership programs. Evaluates the facts of the case in consultation with the Seized Asset Management Enforcement Procedures Handbook (SAMEPH), mitigating and aggravating factors, and other policy directives, in order to reach legally sufficient decisions and recommendations to mitigate, cancel, or deny cases within the FPF Officer’s delegated authority. Actively monitors the applicable statute of limitations for all assigned cases and solicits waivers when necessary in order to ensure CBP retains enforcement authority. Participates in hearings in a professional and impartial manner, analyzes complex issues, applies agency laws and regulations, prepares clear and concise statements of facts, and exercises sound judgment in arriving at decisions. In cases where the violator claims benefit of prior disclosure, makes recommendations on final determination as to whether the disclosure is valid pursuant to the FPF Officer’s delegation authority. Engages with members of the trade and travel communities, and parties-in-interest impacted by enforcement actions, telephonically, by email, in person, and by correspondence, in order to provide information and guidance, and to resolve disputes or disagreements. Collaborates with a variety of internal components, such as the Office of Chief Counsel, Office of Regulations and Rulings, Headquarters program offices, National Finance Center, Regulatory Audit, as well as ICE/HSI and others. Develops and provides guidance, training, and feedback to CBP and ICE/HSI field personnel in regards to seizures, penalties, fines and liquidated damages case processing ,in order to increase effectiveness of enforcement actions. The incumbent has significant expertise in all aspects of FPF case processing and provides guidance to junior employees. Shares expertise by providing useful feedback and intelligence to colleagues as well as higher-level officials in an effort to bolster future enforcement efforts, enhance operational effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity for substantive mission-oriented programs. Composes written correspondence and briefings to both internal and external stakeholders. Tailors correspondence to the appropriate audience to formulate a clear and complete written response to the relevant issues after conducting a thorough analysis. Communicates in a professional manner, recognizing the audience, the appropriate level of complexity, and the appropriate information to be conveyed. Interprets the Privacy Act and Trade Secrets Act in response to specific disclosure requests, and ensures that information restricted from public disclosure is released only in accordance with these requirements. May be required to process Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports the Office of Chief Counsel and Department of Justice trial attorneys in gathering, assembling, and preparing CBP documents for litigation.
• Assists with analyzing, investigating, and making recommendations on administrative and judicial cases.
• Examines and evaluates requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act.
• Collects facts and assists with the preparation of litigation reports for lawsuits filed against CBP.
• Consults with other Federal and state agencies regarding the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act regulations and related cases.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must complete a 3 to 5 month full CBP Background Investigation prior to internship start dates.
• Ability to support and assist higher-level journeyman specialists in legal tasks.
• Capability to handle high volume of litigation case records, support documentation, and legal reference material.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY

Candidates for this and every DoD SkillBridge internship opportunity with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are able to intern for 180, 120, and 90 days and MUST be at least 11 MONTHS away from (outside of) separation. Why 11 months? We are able to host SkillBridge interns for their final 180, 120, and/or 90 days on active-duty depending on the individual service-member’s situation. We use the time prior to their finite internship dates to complete our required HR actions to include getting them in front of hiring managers, having interviews conducted, selection decisions being made, “Qualifications Reviews” successfully completed on their resumes clearly demonstrating that they have the required experience, etc. for the positions for which they are being considered, along with a 3 to 5 month (on average) full CBP Background Investigation (BI) that MUST be completed prior to internship start dates.

ELIGIBLE SERVICE BRANCHES

All Services

PROGRAM COST

0.00

OTHER

Candidates for this and every DoD SkillBridge internship opportunity with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are able to intern for 180, 120, and 90 days and MUST be at least 11 MONTHS away from (outside of) separation. Why 11 months? We are able to host SkillBridge interns for their final 180, 120, and/or 90 days on active-duty depending on the individual service-member’s situation. We use the time prior to their finite internship dates to complete our required HR actions to include getting them in front of hiring managers, having interviews conducted, selection decisions being made, “Qualifications Reviews” successfully completed on their resumes clearly demonstrating that they have the required experience, etc. for the positions for which they are being considered, along with a 3 to 5 month (on average) full CBP Background Investigation (BI) that MUST be completed prior to internship start dates.