Paralegal Specialist

Summary This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Region in Carson City County, Nevada; Elko, Nevada; Fort Duchesne, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona. Responsible for the administration of the Court of Indian Offenses of the Western Region and to serve as the court clerk. This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units? Responsibilities As Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950, your typical work assignments may include, but not limited to: Assist with all aspects of the Court of Indian Offenses. Discharge all related court functions and procedures as assigned by the Magistrate. Assure transparency of the Court of Indian Offenses and administer day-to-day operations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS: (OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards, Administrative and Management Positions, Paralegal Specialist, 0950). MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements may qualify for the position at the GS-5 level - 3 years of general experience, one year of which is equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing. A 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree. A combination of education and specialized experience listed above totaling at least 100%. For example, 2 years of general experience (67% of the experience requirement) and 40 hours of undergraduate study (33% of the education requirement) would qualify an applicant for this position. Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements may qualify for the position at the GS-7 level - 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level filing various court documents that are received for court action; entering judicial documentation into a tracking software system; taking and maintaining written notes of court proceedings; collecting payment of filing fees, court costs, fines and bonds paid by court clients; maintaining the court calendar; researching tribal codes, laws, and ordinances to determine necessary course of action; explain legal correspondence in person or by phone; and providing proper information or assistance to court clients or legal representatives. 1 full year of graduate level education OR Superior Academic Achievement in undergraduate studies. A combination of education and specialized experience listed above totaling at least 100%. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) and 9 hours of graduate study (50% of the education requirement) would qualify an applicant for this position. Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements may qualify for the position at the GS-9 level - 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level transcribing notes into legal court orders; annotating terminology used in court proceedings such as witness statements and testimony; certifying copies of court records; recommending and implementing procedural and administrative changes as needs arise such as updating court forms or procedures; reviewing tribal enactments to ascertain whether administrative actions are required; and making determinations for administrative action of tribal requests A master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.B. or J.D. degree. A combination of education and specialized experience listed above totaling at least 100%. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable as a substitute for specialized experience. For example, 9 months of specialized experience (75% of the experience requirement) and 27 hours of graduate study (25% of the education requirement) would qualify an applicant for this position. Only education in excess of the first 18 semester hours of a graduate course of study is creditable. All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date. Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date. Education If you are qualifying based on your education, you MUST provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) official or unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all of your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. If more than 10 percent of your undergraduate course work (credit hours) were taken on a pass/fail basis, your claim of superior academic achievement must be based upon class standing or membership in an honor society. One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education which shows 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 Additional Information All new hires earn the beginning salary of their pay grade (Step 1). See 2026 Salary Tables and select the pay chart for Carson City County, Nevada; Elko, Nevada; Fort Duchesne, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona. If no specific chart is listed for this geographic location, see the "rest of U.S." chart. The full performance level of this position is GS-9. Promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. A career ladder promotion is at the discretion of management, and in no way guaranteed. The probationary or trial period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated. Upon completion of your [probationary period -OR- trial period] your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) OR Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) Programs provides placement assistance to permanent Federal employees who are surplus, displaced, or involuntarily separated. Applicants claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit a copy of their most recent performance appraisal, proof of eligibility, and most current SF50 noting position, grade level, duty location with their application. To be considered under CTAP/ICTAP, applicants must be qualified (i.e., meet the minimum qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors; education, and experience requirements), and be able to perform the duties of the position upon entry. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee\_guides/career\_transition.asp SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITY: Certain candidates may be eligible to apply under a special hiring authority including those for disabled individuals, Peace Corps employees, Foreign Service employees, veterans, etc. For more information, visit the following OPM websites: USAJOBS Information Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/; Vets Info Guide: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.