Position Summary
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) seeks an experienced Paralegal Specialist III to support the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program. This role is critical in processing claims for public safety officers' death, disability, and educational assistance benefits, handling approximately 1,500 applications annually.
Annual Workload Context
Death Claims: ~750 applications
Disability Claims: ~150 applications
Educational Assistance: ~600 applications
Hearing Officer Appeals: ~150 applications
BJA Director Appeals: ~65 applications
Required Qualifications
Education:
Paralegal Certificate OR
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution (legal emphasis preferred)
Experience:
Three (3) or more years of paralegal experience
\n
\n$68,000 - $88,830 a year
Essential Functions
1. Claims Review and Analysis:
Review new PSOB death and disability claims
Identify potential claim issues from initial submissions
Document reviews in PSOB 2.0 Portal same-day
Meet with PSOB Director/Specialist within three days of file receipt
2. Technical Analysis:
Review and analyze supporting evidence
Focus on cases involving:
Fatal heart attacks
Strokes
Vascular ruptures
Other medical conditions
3. Data Management:
Capture and track PSOB data
Organize metrics and reports
Support case processing at multiple levels
Maintain accurate documentation
Security Requirements
Must be U.S. Citizen or legal resident
Must meet DOJ Residency Requirement (three of past five years):
1. U.S. residency, OR
2. Overseas work for U.S. in Federal/military capacity, OR
3. Dependent status of Federal/military employee overseas
Must pass Minimum Background Investigation (MBI)
Must qualify for Public Trust Position
Work Environment
Location:
100% Remote/Telework position
Must reside within United States
Must maintain proper home office setup
Schedule:
Monday through Friday
Hours: 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM Eastern Time
8-10 hour workday
Flexible scheduling available after 90 days
Technology Requirements
Government-Furnished Equipment:
Laptop computer
Smartphone
Required Home Office Setup:
High-speed internet connection
Professional telephone service
Secure workspace for confidential work
Federal Holidays Observed
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Washington's Birthday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth National Independence Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Inauguration Day (when applicable)
Key Competencies Required
1. Legal Analysis:
Review complex documentation
Interpret legal requirements
Apply federal regulations
2. Documentation:
Maintain accurate records
Process detailed paperwork
Update case management systems
3. Communication:
Interface with multiple stakeholders
Present findings clearly
Maintain professional correspondence
4. Technical Proficiency:
PSOB 2.0 Portal expertise
Microsoft Office Suite
Case management systems
Application Requirements
Must Submit:
1. Detailed resume highlighting:
Paralegal experience
Claims processing background
Technical competencies
2. Education verification
3. Citizenship/residency documentation
4. Professional references
5. Security clearance information
Benefits Package
Competitive salary
Health insurance options
Life insurance
Retirement benefits
Paid federal holidays
Annual and sick leave
Professional development opportunities
\nAll positions require U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residence and the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance. Candidates must meet DOJ residency requirements, having spent three of the past five years residing in the U.S., working overseas for the federal government, or as a dependent of a federal employee overseas.