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Paralegal Specialist

Location
Newark, NJ
Work type
Full Time · On-site
Posted
2026-08-30

Job description

Duties
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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.

Joining the Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will allow you to use your expertise to provide legal support of those executing the law enforcement duties at the port level. Apply for this exciting opportunity to strengthen homeland security by performing paralegal activities such as reviewing and finalizing claims, preparing cases, and coordinating the work of a paralegal team.

This position starts at a salary of $59,465.00 (GS-07, Step 1) to $94,563.00 (GS-09, Step 10) with promotion potential to $137,128.00 (GS-12 Step 10).

In this Paralegal Specialist position, you will become 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:

Reviewing and adjudicating seizures, penalties, prior disclosures, immigration carrier fines, and claims for liquidated damages within the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FPF) Officer's authority through to resolution.
Evaluating the facts of the case in consultation with the Seized Asset Management Enforcement Procedures Handbook (SAMEPH).
Monitoring the applicable statute of limitations for all assigned cases and soliciting waivers, when necessary, in order to ensure Customs and Border Protection (CBP) retains enforcement authority.
Formulating a concise written response to petitions which include a summary of the arguments, analysis, and the conclusions of law supporting the decision.
Ensuring uniform and consistent approach to accomplishing CBP's mission as it relates to the adjudication of civil liabilities stemming from enforcement actions.
Requirements

Conditions of employment

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.
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.
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

Qualifications
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 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:

Reviewing routine program, administrative, or case-related documents to identify basic facts, issues, dates, missing information, and required supporting materials.
Using established sources, such as policies, procedures, manuals, regulations, case files, and computer databases, to locate information related to assigned work.
Preparing routine written materials, such as notes, summaries, correspondence, memoranda, or reports, using established formats and procedures.
GS-09 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:
Reviewing and processing legal, administrative, or civil enforcement case files to determine whether required facts, evidence, documentation, and due process elements are present and adequately supported.
Analyzing petitions, claims, investigative reports, case records, or other submissions to identify legal and factual issues and recommend appropriate action consistent with laws, regulations, policies, or guidelines.
Conducting legal research using statutes, regulations, agency manuals, directives, precedent decisions, court decisions, or other legal reference materials to support case analysis and recommendations.

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