Paralegal Specialist

Summary

Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.

Duties

Assists in the preparation for litigation, analyzes facts and legal questions, and performs similar functions. Evaluates and prepares proposed disposition letters for more complex claims submitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Civilian Employee's Claims Act, and Section 3722 of Title 31, United States Code. Research and analyze legal issues involved, conduct a supplemental investigation if the initial investigation of the claim so warrants. Prepares difficult interrogatory responses, litigation reports, requirements for government attorneys, and compiles records in response to Requests for Production pursuant to Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures. Responsible for locating new sources of information which may involve contact or correspondence with other departments and agencies, interviews staff and investigation of facts and allegations. Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position, and are performed on a regular and recurring basis. Requirements

Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility: A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter), Most recent performance appraisal, and Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location. See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: U.S Department of Justice - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Key Requirements: U.S. Citizenship is Required. See Special Conditions of Employment Section. Selective Service Requirement Qualifications

To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements. Education GL-09: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or J.D., if related. GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Experience GL-09 and GS-11: You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Some examples of this qualifying experience are: GL-09: Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation. Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures. Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record pursuant to FOIA/PA in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and/or other litigation. Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, selecting and compiling substantive information, applying statues and appropriate legal precedents, and preparation of responsive legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, and/or requests for representation). GS-11: Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation, and substantiating rationale in the event of appeal. Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to variety of complex legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures. Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, conducting supplemental investigation/witness interviews for development of facts, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and other litigation. Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, applying statutes and other legal precedents, selecting and compiling substantive information, recommending action/response, and following required procedures in the preparation and submission of legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, requests for representation, others). OR Combination of Education and Experience GL-09 and GS-11: Have a combination of education and experience. This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above. If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities. Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.

Education

ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement. Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, Click Here. Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.S. Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications. If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.e. basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty. How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to the responses you provided on the online assessment. Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Based upon your responses to the assessment questions during the application process, your application will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Applications will be reviewed from the top quality category. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement. If you are found qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to the responses you provided on the online assessment. NOTE: Candidates within the top-quality category and who are eligible for veterans' preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. If you are entitled to veterans' preference, you should indicate the type of veteran's preference you are claiming on your resume. Although veterans' preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated", veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest qualified category as defined by category rating procedures. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). As noted above, an agency may not select a non-preference eligible in lieu of a preference eligible in the same category unless there are grounds for a passover and the agency has complied with the passover procedures at 5 U.S.C. § 3318(b). To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13115036 Other Information

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION INFORMATION: This announcement is for a specific duty location. While your selection of a preferred duty assignment indicates your interest, final duty assignments depend on the Bureau's staffing needs, available positions, and funding. By applying, you acknowledge that you may be offered employment at a duty station within an approved Bureau of Prisons worksite other than the listed location, if required to support the Bureau's nationwide mission. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution. If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you MUST submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage. Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. Please refer to the Required Documents Section for the appropriate documentation to submit to validate veteran eligibility. Special Conditions of Employment Section: This position IS included in the bargaining unit. Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation. All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check. All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm. Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques", three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required. Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)