PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

Summary

You will serve as a PARALEGAL SPECIALIST within NLSC.

Duties

• You will research relevant state and federal regulations, codes, DON Directives, DON Instructions, DON Manuals, Department of Defense (DoD) Directives, DoD Instructions, DoD Manuals, regulations, case law, and other legal precedents, and, as needed.
• You will prepare legal pleadings, case summaries, legal memoranda, and written correspondence in compliance with the DON Correspondence Manual (or other requested format).
• You will conduct client intake and check-in.
• You will maintain a centralized appointment calendar for attorneys and independently schedule appointments to ensure deadlines are met.
• You will use electronic databases such as, but not limited to, LEXIS, WESTLAW, VTA, to perform legal research.
• You will create and maintain database spreadsheets using tools such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access for internal statistical purposes.
• You will coordinate and process all incoming and outgoing mail for the supported attorneys.
• You will ensure timely processing of all purchase requests, equipment maintenance and service requests and timely coordinate travel and logistics arrangements of clients, attorneys, and witnesses.
• You will respond to telephonic inquires, correspondence, and electronic mail and messages.

Qualifications

GS-09 Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-07 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate performing duties such as the following: 1) Using electronic databases such as LEXIS, WESTLAW, and VTA to perform legal research; 2) Interpreting and applying technical material, rules, regulations, and instructions to a given situation; 3) Performing substantive legal analysis, communicating the issue(s), and applying the legal research in clear and concise oral and written form; 4) Interviewing clients and witnesses and preparing summary interview reports for attorney's review; and 5) Applying knowledge of administrative or legal adjudicative processes and timelines to provide assistance. GS-07 Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate performing duties such as the following: 1) Using a case management system (CMS), database, or other software to schedule and maintain calendars, manage cases, organize files, and track clients and deadlines; 2) Conducting client intake to ascertain client needs and collect relevant case documents; 3) Reviewing legal case materials to identify key issues and become familiar with questions under consideration; and 4) Preparing and organizing case documentation. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

Education

Education Substitution for Experience at the GS-09 Level: In lieu of specialized experience, you may qualify with the following education or combination of both education and experience: Successful completion of a master's or equivalent graduate degree OR Successful completion of two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree OR Possession of an LL.B. or J.D. that is related to this position being filled. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students/federal-occupations-by-college-major/ OR A combination of experience and graduate education as described above that equates to one year of experience A transcript must be submitted with your application if qualifying using education. See Required Documents for additional information. Education Substitution for Experience at the GS-07 Level: Education Substitution for Experience at the GS-07 Level: In lieu of specialized experience, you may qualify with the following education or combination of both education and experience: Successful completion of a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement OR Successful completion of one full year of graduate level education leading to a master's degree; OR A combination of education and experience as described above that equates to one year of experience A transcript must be submitted with your application if qualifying using education. See Required Documents for additional information. How You Will Be Evaluated

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to be clear and specific when describing your experience. When the application process is complete, we will review your resume to ensure you meet the hiring eligibility and qualification requirements listed in this announcement. You will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and application package, along with your supporting documentation to determine your ability to demonstrate the following competencies: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork PROBLEM SOLVING READING AND INTERPRETING REGULATIONS COMPUTER LITERACY LEGAL SUPPORT ORAL COMMUNICATION PARTNERING This recruitment will utilize the following technical assessment tools: USA Hire and Structured Interview. The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment. You should list any relevant performance appraisals and incentive awards in your resume as that information may be taken into consideration during the selection process. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. All eligibility, qualifications, and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Other Information

This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program. Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments. During the application process you will have the ability to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions in the local commuting area. Depending on the hiring organization and the position being filled, job requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure filing, bargaining unit status, etc.) may vary. Other hiring managers filling similar positions may offer relocation expense reimbursement and/or may offer recruitment incentives for new employees, depending on funding availability and in accordance with policy. If you opt-in and are referred on a certificate, your resume will be available to other hiring managers for 180-days from the date the job announcement closes. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation. ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application: 1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/ Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position. Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees. A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.