Paralegal Specialist (GS-05/07) - SkillBridge Internship Opportunity
IMPORTANT: This opportunity is only open to SkillBridge participants on active duty who are AT LEAST 13 months from separation.
LOCATION: New York Field Office, Port of New York (Jamaica, NY) and Port of JFK International Airport (Newark, NJ)
SALARY: DoD SkillBridge interns are paid by DoD while they intern as volunteers with CBP. The salary range below reflects the pay scale if hired at the end of the SkillBridge internship. There is no guarantee of employment, however, if CBP hiring managers are able to hire interns at internship conclusion, the salary range is: $33,878-53,138 (GS-5 Step 1 to GS-7 Step 10)
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· 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 regard 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.
· Compose written correspondence and briefings to both internal and external stakeholders.
· Tailor correspondence to the appropriate audience to formulate a clear and complete written response to the relevant issues after conducting a thorough analysis.
· Communicate 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.
HOW TO APPLY: Email Jeffrey.R.Jack@cbp.dhs.gov with SUBJ: CBP – SkillBridge – Paralegal Specialist – DESIRED LOCATION.
Include the following documentation:
Your resume will enable us to determine the grade level for which you qualify; therefore, align it to the specifics as described in the Duties and Qualifications sections above. Provide details of your education, background, and experience so we can accurately assess your qualifications, and be sure to highlight any superior proficiencies that uniquely qualify you.
Your DD214 (SSN redacted) or Statement of Service with all campaign medals contained therein (SSN redacted), VA Disability Rating Letter and/or Schedule A Letter is also required.
With more than 60,000 employees, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, CBP, is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade.
As the United States’ first unified border entity, CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity