Job Details for Paralegal or Assistant Paralegal
| Court Name/Organization: | Texas Western Federal Public Defender |
| Overview of the Position: | The Federal Public Defender, Western District of Texas, is accepting applications for the position of paralegal or assistant paralegal to be stationed in Alpine, 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. |
| Location: | Alpine, TX |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 06/26/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade: | JSP-9, Step 1, to JSP-14, Step 1 |
| Salary: | $59,966 - $122,198 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://txw.fd.org |
| Announcement Number: | 24-13 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Requirements. 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. Spanish-language fluency is required. Candidates must also possess:
- A strong legal, administrative, or paralegal background
- Excellent organization and communication 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
To qualify for the position of assistant paralegal, candidates must be a high school graduate or the equivalent and have at least two years of paralegal or comparable experience, or an educational substitute. Candidates must also possess:
- A working knowledge of law office operations, legal practices, methods and techniques, mental health issues, and legal system
- An understanding of paralegal and secretarial duties in a legal environment
- The skill and judgment in the analysis of assignments
- A general understanding of office confidentiality issues, such as attorney/client privilege
- An understanding of criminal law, criminal procedure, and evidence
- Experience as an assistant paralegal performing progressively responsible paralegal duties
- The skills and ability to execute the duties of the position
- The ability to work collegially
- Integrity, character, and good judgment
Duties. The paralegal or assistant 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.
Selection Criteria. 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. Prior federal court litigation experience is preferred. Employment is subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check.
Benefits
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 $72,553 to $122,198 per annum. The starting salary of an assistant paralegal will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, at JSP-9, Step 1, currently yielding $59,966 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).
How To Apply
Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest (mentioning announcement 24-13), a résumé, references, and representative writing sample. Experience should be described in detail. Send all required documents in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-Announcement 24-13 Paralegal/Assistant Paralegal” by email to TXW_Employment@fd.org. Electronic submissions sent directly to the Defender will not be considered. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at 210-981-2081. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Position announced June 26, 2024, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.