Legal
Paralegal Specialist
Candidates for this and every DoD SkillBridge internship opportunity with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are able to intern for 180, 120, and 90 days and MUST be at least 11 MONTHS away from (outside of) separation. Why 11 months? We are able to host SkillBridge interns for their final 180, 120, and/or 90 days on active-duty depending on the individual service-member’s situation. We use the time prior to their finite internship dates to complete our required HR actions to include getting them in front of hiring managers, having interviews conducted, selection decisions being made, “Qualifications Reviews” successfully completed on their resumes clearly demonstrating that they have the required experience, etc. for the positions for which they are being considered, along with a 3 to 5 month (on average) full CBP Background Investigation (BI) that MUST be completed prior to internship start dates.MAJOR DUTIESReviews 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 andExpertise (Centers), and Drawback Specialists, as well as Immigration and CustomsEnforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigations (ICE/HSI). Applies statutesand regulations for other government agencies. Assures that all due process considerationsare met, the elements necessary to establish the legal sufficiency of the violation arepresent, and supporting documentation is provided. Reviews and evaluates investigativereports 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-interestimpacted by enforcement actions, telephonically, by email, in person, and bycorrespondence, in order to provide information and guidance, and to resolve disputes ordisagreements. Collaborates with a variety of internal components, such as the Office ofChief Counsel, Office of Regulations and Rulings, Headquarters program offices, NationalFinance Center, Regulatory Audit, as well as ICE/HSI and others.Develops and provides guidance, training, and feedback to CBP and ICE/HSI fieldpersonnel in regards to seizures, penalties, fines and liquidated damages case processing,in order to increase effectiveness of enforcement actions. The incumbent has significantexpertise 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 ashigher-level officials in an effort to bolster future enforcement efforts, enhance operationaleffectiveness, efficiency, and productivity for substantive mission-oriented programs.Composes written correspondence and briefings to both internal and external stakeholders.Tailors correspondence to the appropriate audience to formulate a clear and completewritten response to the relevant issues after conducting a thorough analysis. Communicates in a professional manner, recognizing the audience, the appropriate level ofcomplexity, and the appropriate information to be conveyed. Interprets the Privacy Actand Trade Secrets Act in response to specific disclosure requests, and ensures thatinformation restricted from public disclosure is released only in accordance with theserequirements. May be required to process Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.
