Supervisory Paralegal Specialist (Civil)

Summary

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 27-NH-13080359-MS.

Duties

If selected for this position, you will join the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), District of New Hampshire in the Civil Division. The Civil Division represents the United States, its agencies, and federal employees in a broad range of civil litigation and affirmative enforcement matters. The Division primarily defends the government in federal court actions involving immigration, tort claims, employment discrimination, constitutional and civil rights claims, real property disputes, medical malpractice, commercial litigation, challenges to agency actions, and other civil lawsuits. Civil Division attorneys manage all phases of litigation, including case assessment, discovery, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, hearings, trials, and appeals. In addition to defensive litigation, the Division handles affirmative enforcement matters such as actions under the False Claims Act, civil rights enforcement cases, healthcare fraud, procurement fraud, financial fraud, pharmaceutical diversion and collection, foreclosure, and bankruptcy proceedings. The incumbent selected will exercise first-level supervision over the Civil Division legal support staff. Typical work assignments will include: Providing advice, counsel, and instruction to paralegal and legal assistants on technical and administrative matters; Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates, setting and adjusting short-term priorities, and preparing schedules for completion of work within established deadlines; Assigns, directs, reviews, and coordinates work of subordinates; Develops Performance Work Plans, evaluates and assigns performance ratings based on independent knowledge and input from AUSAs, and ensures that performance ratings are timely and accurately completed; Planning, coordinating, and personally conducting or overseeing the training of assigned personnel; identifying developmental and training needs of legal support staff; identifying ways to improve production and increase the quality of the work of the support staff; Addresses employee conduct and performance issues by taking or recommending disciplinary and/or performance-based actions as appropriate; Deals effectively with employees on their suggestions; hears and resolves complaints and non-formal grievances from employees; Approving leave, making recommendation for awards, promotions, reassignments and assisting in the selection of additional staff; Instructing and providing procedural and technical guidance to other legal support staff employees in preparation of all court filings; Assisting AUSAs in pretrial and trial preparation by preparing, reviewing and organizing discovery, and organizing exhibits to be introduced at trial; and Providing technical support to AUSAs and government agents for gathering evidence in support of ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutions. Qualifications

GS-12: In order to qualify for the GS-12 level, applicants must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level, gained in the federal, public, and/or private sector. Specialized experience is defined as experience planning, reviewing and/or overseeing work assignments of legal support staff; presenting oral and/or written facts and legal arguments to provide guidance and assistance to management and/or support; utilizing legal software applications/databases to conduct legal research, prepare case reports and/or produce litigation reports and documents; and providing trial support to attorneys, which may include drafting complaints, motions, subpoenas, orders, or other hearing and/or trial documents. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be evaluated and rated using DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified). You will be rated on the following Competencies (see The OPM Website for definitions): Accountability, Conflict Management, Customer Service, Developing Others, Flexibility, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, and Strategic Thinking. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Other Information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 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: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.