Paralegal Specialist

Summary

The Library of Congress shares its vast collections of books, manuscripts, photographs, maps, audiovisual materials, and priceless artifacts to cultivate curiosity and spark imagination. We engage, inspire, and inform Congress and the American people with a universal and enduring source of knowledge and creativity. We seek highly talented professionals to join a vibrant and collaborative community. Your work here will have lasting impact on the Library and its users well into the future.

Duties

Copyright protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other creative works. The U.S. Copyright Office, a component of the Library of Congress, administers the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), and provides copyright registration and other services to those with an interest in the U.S. copyright system. The Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2020 (CASE Act) created chapter 15 of title 17 of the United States Code and “establish[ed] an alternative dispute resolution program for copyright small claims.” This program is overseen and operated by the Copyright Claims Board, comprised of three Copyright Claims Officers who manage proceedings before the Board and render determinations on eligible claims filed with the Board. The Copyright Claims Board is supported by Copyright Claims Attorneys and other staff. This position performs legal research and analysis; collects, analyzes, and prepares documents Copyright Claims Board proceedings or in response to litigation challenging the Board's decisions; drafts documents and materials; administers and monitors dockets and filings; plans and assists in the running of certain public events; and maintains legal files. The position also serves as a public contact to answer inquiries and provide information regarding access to Copyright Claims Board program files and provides administrative services to the Copyright Claims Board. As a Paralegal Specialist, you will: Use a working knowledge of copyright law, civil procedure, and the procedures and practices of the Copyright Claims Board and the Copyright Office more generally, performs legal research and analysis of legal decisions, opinions, rulings, and memoranda and regulations, selecting from these materials pertinent principles of law before preparing memoranda or digests of the points of law at issue. Work with attorneys to assist in drafting, review, and finalization of proposed Copyright Claims Board decisions and Copyright Claims Board policies and procedures, including cite-checking, blue-booking, proofing, and formatting materials. As directed by the Copyright Claims Officers or Attorneys, administer the Copyright Claims Board docket, including administration of the online docket management system and scheduling public hearings and other events, coordinating logistics, working with other departments on procuring resources, and other related administrative duties Prepare Copyright Claims Board rulings and other public records in coordination with the Copyright Claims Officers and Attorneys, administrative assistants, and others in the U.S. Copyright Office, including the Offices of the Register and Office of General Counsel. Perform other duties as assigned. The position description number for this position is 413589. The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement. Requirements

Library of Congress employees are prohibited from using illegal drugs, including marijuana. The Library is part of the Federal Government and abides by federal law, so regardless of individual state or District of Columbia laws, marijuana use is illegal, considered criminal activity, and can affect your employment at the Library. In addition, past or current drug use and activities (e.g., selling or distributing) may deem you ineligible for employment. Qualifications

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision. Ability to perform legal research and analysis for civil procedures involving copyright law.** Ability to communicate effectively in writing.** Knowledge of civil procedure related to legal proceedings.** Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships and interact collaboratively with others. Ability to plan, organize and execute work. Ability to utilize technology to support legal professionals. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

Education

There are no education requirements for this posting. How You Will Be Evaluated

The Library of Congress evaluates applicants through an applicant questionnaire and a structured interview. Applicants may also be screened for some jobs through licensing, certification, and/or education requirements, a narrative/application review, and/or a preliminary telephone interview. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are marked with a double asterisk (**) in the vacancy announcement and the applicant questionnaire are considered the most critical for a position. To be considered for final selection, applicants must demonstrate fully acceptable experience in these designated KSAs in the narrative/application review, preliminary telephone and/or full structured interview. The various assessment tools listed above are designed to verify or explore applicants' experience, knowledge, and training directly related to the job in order to identify the best qualified applicants for selection. You may preview questions for this vacancy. Other Information

Although it is the Library's policy to afford the maximum pay benefit to employees when setting rates of pay, a new appointee who has had no previous Federal service will generally be paid at step one of the grade. The Library of Congress is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants must submit a complete application package that is received by the closing date of this announcement. Appointment/retention is subject to a favorable evaluation of an appropriate personnel security/suitability investigation. For more information, please see: Vetting Process This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please email [email protected]. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Applicants with disabilities may be considered under special hiring procedures and must submit an appropriate certificate of eligibility when applying for this position. The proof or disability/certification may be issued by the State Vocational Rehabilitation Office, Disability Services or Career Services office of the applicant's college or university, or the Department of Veterans Affairs. The letter must verify that the applicant has a severe disability and must be dated within three years of the date of the application. Certification from health care providers are not accepted. For more information contact the Library's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202-707-6024 or email [email protected]. FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATION WILL CAUSE YOUR APPLICATION TO NOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT PROGRAM. The Library of Congress is the national library of the United States and is part of the Legislative Branch of the Federal government. As such, all positions are in the excepted service. The Library reserves the right to fill a lesser or greater number of vacancies indicated during the life of this vacancy announcement. Initial permanent appointments to the Library of Congress require completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods served at other Federal agencies do not count toward this requirement. The Library of Congress may offer repayment for all or part of federally insured student loans. However, not all service units within the Library of Congress participates in the repayment of federally insured student loans. Therefore, determination to repay a federally insured student loan is subject to approval by the appropriate service unit. A “Not to Exceed" (NTE) status is used to identify an appointment with a specific ending date. However, the Library has the right to separate a NTE employee at any time due to either performance issues or budget constraints. Are you a veteran? Please indicate the type of veterans' preference you are claiming in your application materials and/or applicant profile and provide the appropriate supporting documentation to validate your claim. Those applying for 5-point preference must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD 214. Those applying for 10-point preference must fill out an SF-15 (click here for the form) and provide the required documentation listed on the back of the form. If required supporting documentation is not attached, Veterans' Preference will not be considered in the application process.