Job Opening: 57337

Open to ALL U.S. Citizens

Opening Date: September 25, 2024

Closing Date: October 9, 2024 11:59 pm (EST)

Questions regarding this opening should be directed to mblong2@fbi.gov.

Job Summary

Position: Paralegal Specialist - Forfeiture, GS 7/9/11/12

Division: Seattle Field Office

Location: Seattle, WA

Working Hours:

Monday - Friday

8:15 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Hours may vary depending on the needs of the office. 

Salary:

GS 7 - $54,896.00 - $71,366.00

GS 9 - $67,147.00 - $87,291.00

GS 11 - $81,242.00 - $105,612.00

GS 12 - $97,376.00 - $126,585.00

Full Performance level: GS 12

Number of Positions Available: 1

Duration: Full Time/Permanent

Additional selections may be made from this announcement to fill positions within the same division when the position includes substantially the same duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.

Key Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be able to obtain a Top Secret-SCI clearance
• Some travel may be required
• Selectee will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450 annually 
• Selectee will be required to complete form FD-887, Request for Access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) 

Mission Statement:

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

Major Duties:

• Performs assignments involving the analysis, evaluation, and development of forfeiture cases and assists in case preparation for litigation and 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.

Qualifications and Evaluations

Please make sure your specialized experience/requirement(s) can be identified in your resume. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Your application will be evaluated and rated under the FBI’s Candidate Rating Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement and will be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire. High self-assessment in the vacancy questions that is not supported by information in your resume, and/or supporting documents may eliminate you from Most Competitive status.

Your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Most Competitive, Competitive, or Least Competitive. Names of candidates in the Most Competitive category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Veterans’ preference will be applied.

All applicants will be rated on the following Competencies:

• Administrative/Organizational Policies and Procedures
• Analytic Thinking
• Communication
• Governance and Legal Jurisprudence
• Organizing and Planning

Specialized Experience (SE):

GS 7:  Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 5 grade level, as defined below:

• Assisted in assignments involving administrative claims and/or litigation matters.
• Conducted database research in order to ensure proper entry and utilization of forfeiture information.
• Researched various legal and regulatory 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 legal documents as it relates to forfeiture cases.

GS 9:  Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 7 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:  Applicant must possess at least one (1) year of SE equivalent to the GS 9 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:  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 7: 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 9: 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: Education 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.  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

To apply to this position, interested applicants must provide a complete application package by the closing date which includes:

1. Your resume, specifically noting relevant work experience and associated start and end dates
2.  A complete assessment questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents (if applicable):

• College transcripts, if qualifying based on education or if there is a positive education requirement
• Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Memorandum for Record (MFR), Please see Additional Information
• Most recent Performance Appraisal; not applicable to current FBI employees
• Veterans: DD 214; Disabled Veterans: DD 214, SF-15, and VA letter dated 1991 or later

Documents that were uploaded one or more years ago will need to be uploaded again. Although an applicant may see these documents within their current profile, the HR Specialists may not have access to view them. All applicants are being asked to upload another copy (if applicable) to ensure the staffing units can review the complete application.

You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of this announcement. If applying online is a hardship, please contact the HR Specialist listed in the vacancy announcement prior to the closing date for assistance.

What to Expect Next

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The Most Competitive candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified of your status throughout the process.

Additional Information

• Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols. Positions with fitness for duty requirements or those that require international travel may require proof of certain vaccinations.
• The FBI is in the Executive Branch of the federal government. It is one of the components of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The FBI is the principle investigative arm of the DOJ. All FBI positions are in the excepted service.
• As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens and consent to a complete background investigation, urinalysis, and polygraph. You must be suitable for Federal employment; as determined by a background investigation.
• 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. Your 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.
• If you are hired, you will be required to serve a two-year probationary period. Probationary employees are precluded from being considered for all job opportunities until 12-months of their 24-month 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.
• Memorandum for Record: 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 for Record):

        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 for Record 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.”

Veterans' Preference

If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming on your resume and application. Your veterans' preference entitlement will be verified by the employing agency.

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 endorse 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_ACCOMMODA@fbi.gov, telephone at 202-324-2158, 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. Unless explicitly authorized by law, selection will be made without regard to, and there will be no discrimination because of, color, race, religion, national origin, marital status, parental status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (40 or over), sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, gender identity, and sexual orientation), or on the basis of personal favoritism, or any other non-merit factors.

Benefits

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.

This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees:  http://www.opm.gov/insure/new_employ/index.asp