Paralegal Specialist

Duties

ICE OPLA is the largest legal department within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with more than 3,000 attorneys and 500 support staff working nationwide in 143 offices located within nine Regions throughout the United States. Pursuant to statute, OPLA serves as the exclusive representative of DHS in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review litigating cases involving criminal aliens, terrorists, human rights violators, and other priority aliens. OPLA also provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices. District Court Litigation Division (DCLD) paralegals assist OPLA attorneys who serve as agency counsel before the DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review, in federal litigation, and on a robust and diverse client services portfolio. DCLD attorneys serve as the exclusive representatives of the U.S. Government in immigration proceedings before the 73 immigration courts and three adjudication centers nationwide, as well as the Board of Immigration Appeals. DCLD attorneys and paralegals support the U.S. Attorney's Offices nationwide in handling federal litigation pending in the U.S. District Courts, including petitions for writs of habeas corpus, motions for injunctive relief, and class action lawsuits. At the full performance level, OPLA DCLD paralegal responsibilities include:

• Collecting, organizing, reviewing, and summarizing for OPLA attorneys the facts, law and special circumstances relating to administrative tort claims filed against ICE.
• Performing complex legal research using generally accessible sources and commercial databases.
• Applying law to facts to make recommendations to ICE attorneys and supervisors with respect to the adjudication of federal tort claims.
• Maintaining assigned reporting and electronic recordkeeping systems that tracks the progress of admin claims and litigation cases.
• Processing payments of vouchers billing to the appropriate specific programs in HSI, ERO or other funding sources using the Treasury system for claimants.
• Processing fees to be paid from Equal Access to Justice claims.
• Assisting ICE attorneys with civil discovery including collection, review and production of agency records, medical records, depositions and other litigation documents.
• Other duties as assigned.