PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

Summary

If you are seeking an opportunity to become familiar with the legal, and economic methodology used by attorneys at the Federal Trade Commission during the course of various investigations and litigation and want to play an integral role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining one of the various Bureaus or Offices at the Federal Trade Commission! For more information visit, www.ftc.gov.

Duties

If you are selected for this position you may be performing some or all of the following duties: Performs research using library references, corporate records, private and governmental studies, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources, to supply factual information for inclusion in memoranda, briefs, and similar documents. Uses electronic databases to assist in factual and/or legal research; encodes substantive case materials; retrieves and analyzes materials through data searches. Collects and preserves various types of evidence including websites, social media posts, blog posts, and audio and video recordings. Drafts declarations detailing investigative steps for use in court proceedings. Writes and/or edits interview reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, citations, etc., discovered during the course of research. Prepares table of contents, indexes and table of authorities for legal briefs, memoranda, and other such documents; reviews and researches citations, footnotes, textual references and other entries for accuracy. Digests substantive materials or transcripts of testimony from investigational hearings and/or depositions; indexes documents in accordance with legal categories determined by the attorney to whom assigned. Assists attorneys in conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses to gather information. Organizes, maintains and/or archives files (interrogatories, document requests, requests for admission, objections, motions, affidavits, general correspondence, exhibits, etc.) for case team members throughout the course of an investigation or litigation. Tracks materials to be used as exhibits in administrative proceedings and federal court trials. Coordinates various support services as required by attorneys assigned to a case (i.e. requesting court reporters, shipping materials, coordinating with litigation support, etc.). Assists in court proceedings, traveling to trial site (when necessary), investigational hearings, depositions, etc., in support of attorneys and case team during the course of investigation and/or litigation. Performs research using library references, corporate records, government policy, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources and collects and analyzes agency data to supply factual information to agency leadership, aids in the drafting of new policy, and informs through memoranda, briefs, and other documents. Drafts/edits weekly report to the Executive Director/Chairman; creates and manages dashboards. Plans and attends agency-wide and office training events; learns about risk management strategies and resources and uses various tool sets to resolve risk-related issues. Coordinates various support services or projects in collaboration with bureaus and offices across the agency, to include the Chairman's office and the Commissioner offices. Drafts and/or edits reports, memos, policies, announcements and other communications Writes and/or edits briefing reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, and citations discovered during the course of research; assists in responding to recommendations made by the Office of the Inspector General; takes minutes of meetings. Drafts and/or edits weekly report to the Chairman; creates and manages dashboards. Analyzes, presents, and makes recommendations about data. Qualifications

To qualify for a Paralegal Specialist at the GS-07 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: such experience may include assisting in investigation and/or litigation; conducting legal and relevant industry research; database development and use; review and analysis of documents and data during the discovery process; interviewing investigational sources; producing written and oral reports based on interviews, research and data analysis. OR Have 1 full year of graduate education OR Have Superior Academic Achievement S A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.ORHave equivalent combinations of graduate education and experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official job offer. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION BUREAUS and OFFICES. How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category. Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies. Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies. Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies. Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Other Information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: VETERANS GUIDE Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see SELECTIVE SERVICE). Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: CAREER TRANSITION. Non-competitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements: - Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A - Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans - Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses - Other Special Appointment Authorities