Paralegal Specialist
Job Location:
Baltimore, MD - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security within U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations Baltimore Field Office Port of Washington DC Fines Penalties & Forfeiture located in one of the following locations:
Baltimore Maryland
Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Dulles Airport Virginia
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 CBPs mission core values and careers at is a Recent Graduate appointment in the Pathways Program. Selected individuals are placed in a dynamic one year development program in the excepted service designed to lead to a competitive civil service career in the Federal government. At the successful conclusion of this program the agency may non-competitively convert individuals to a term (position lasting 1-4 years with an extension up to 120 days) or permanent position within the competitive service. Conversion to a Federal competitive service position will be at the discretion of the agency and is neither guaranteed nor implied.
This position starts at a salary of $50460.00 (GS-07 Step 1) to $80243.00 (GS-09 Step 10) with promotion potential to $133142.00 (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.
Salary: Salary listed reflects the rest of U.S. scale and if applicable will be adjusted to meet the locality pay or cost of living expenses of the duty location upon selection.
In this Paralegal Specialist position you will become a key member of a team of Homeland Security professionals providing key legal support for the law enforcement duties at the port level. Typical work assignments include:
Additional selections may be made to include other organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.
After CBP completes its hiring the resumes of the remaining candidates referred for selection consideration may be shared with other DHS Components and other federal agencies. During the application process you may choose to opt-in if you would like your name application material and assessment results to be shared. There is no guarantee of further consideration and you can continue to explore other job opportunity announcements.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this position
- Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service
- Primary U.S. residency for at least three of the last five years (additional details below)
- All pre-employment processes will be conducted in English
- You may be required to pass a background investigation
- CBP follows the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan for drug testing procedures
- As an employee of CBP you will be joining a workforce that is dedicated to accomplishing our mission while maintaining the trust of our Nation by strictly adhering to all government ethics standards. Your conduct will be subject to the ethics rules applicable to all Executive Branch employees and to CBP employees specifically as well as the criminal conflict of interest statutes. Once you enter on duty these rules include obtaining approval for outside employment or business activity to ensure such employment or business activity is not prohibited and does not interfere or conflict with performance of your official duties. Please review further details via the following link.
Bargaining Unit: This is a bargaining unit covered position represented under the National Treasury Employees Unions - NTEU. For local chapter contact information see Chapter Websites - National Treasury Employees Union - NTEU - DHS uses E-Verify an internet-based system to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify including your rights and responsibilities.
- Working for the U.S. Government as a federal civilian or as a member of the military
- A dependent who was authorized to accompany a federal civilian or member of the military who was working for the U.S. government
- Participation in a study abroad program sponsored by a U.S. affiliated college or university
- Working as a contractor intern consultant or volunteer supporting the U.S. government
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:
- Assisting in reviewing legal documents to extract selected data and information relating to specified items
- Assisting in reviewing and summarizing legal information in prescribed format on case precedents and decisions
- Searching for and extracting legal references in libraries and computer data banks
- Communicating effectively orally and in writing
- Assisting in reviewing and processing cases through to solution
- Assisting in assuring that all due process considerations are met and that the elements necessary to establish a violation are present and are supported by appropriate documentation
- Receiving and examining petitions filed by individuals corporations or attorneys seeking relief from seizures penalties fines or liquidated damages
- Reviewing acceptability of evidence in some seizure fines and penalty cases and all liquidated damages
GS-07: 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 skills necessary to do this job. 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
A bachelors 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 for additional information.
GS-09: Successful completion of a Masters or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in any field or a L.L.B. or J.D. from an accredited college or university may substitute for the experience required at the GS-09 grade level. Check with your school to determine how many credit hours comprise a year of graduate education. If that information is not available use 36 semester or 54 quarter hours.
Combining Experience and Education: 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 the applicants total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicants 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 an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grade GS-9. 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 by 08/14/2026.
You are eligible for this appointing authority if you are an individual who: Completed within the previous two years by 08/14/2026 a qualifying associates bachelors masters professional doctorate vocational or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or completed a qualifying career or technical education program (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs Job Corps AmeriCorps and Peace Corps) . Review Recent Graduates for additional eligibility information. If you are a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your degree due to military service obligation you have as long as six years after degree completion to apply. You must submit a copy of your transcripts showing type of degree received and date degree was addition if you are a veteran who was unable to apply within two years of receiving your degree due to military service obligation please provide a copy of your DD-214 or a written statement from the armed forces certifying your dates of service and your rank expected type of discharge and anticipated date of separation.
To be eligible for conversion Recent Graduates must:
- Successfully complete at least year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the program;
- Meet the qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted;
- Meet agency-specific requirements and expectations as specified in the Participants Agreement; and
- Perform their job successfully.
- Orientation program for Recent Graduates hired for the program;
- Mentorship throughout the program;
- Individual Development Plan to create and track Recent Graduates career planning professional development and training activities;
- At least 40 hours of formal interactive training each year of the program;
- Positions offer opportunity for career advancement.
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 political Schedule A Schedule C Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agencys core values of vigilance service to country and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges the use of illegal drugs (e.g. marijuana cocaine heroin LSD methamphetamines ecstasy) and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation possession sale receipt manufacture cultivation production transfer shipping trafficking or distribution of controlled substances.
For additional information on the preemployment process review the following link: Applicant Resources CBP Careers
Please see the Qualifications and Required Documents sections for more information.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicants criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of accordance with 5 U.S. Code 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act may submit a written complaint to .
View common definitions of terms in this announcement.In order to be considered for this position you must complete all required steps in the addition to the application and application questionnaire this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. This agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
Positions with known promotion potential do not guarantee promotion nor is the promise of promotion implied.
Training: This position has a training requirement. Selectee(s) are required to attend and successfully complete 3 weeks of Fines Penalties and Forfeiture Basic training Charleston SC. You may be required to successfully complete the training requirement as a condition of employment. Failure to successfully complete the required course(s) of training in accordance with CBP standards and policies will result in placement into either a former or different position demotion or separation as determined by management and appropriate procedures.
Selectee(s) may be required to attend FOIA/PA training or must have previously attended FOIA/PA training.
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: view the video Protecting America 24/7 to learn more about CBPs Office of Field Operations.
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply to include persons with intellectual severe physical or psychiatric disabilities as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u) and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents experiences and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation click on the links above or contact the Servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
