PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

This Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) position is within the Office of General Counsel (OGC), DeCA. The General Counsel of the Department of Defense is dual hatted as the Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA) Director; DLSA provides a full range of legal advice and services to officials of the Defense Agencies and the DoD Field Activities. DeCA is a Defense Agency responsible for operating military commissaries worldwide.

Duties

• Serve as a Paralegal Specialist in the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Office of General Council (OGC), providing assistance to Agency attorneys on matters that do not require a law degree and admission to the bar.
• Act as DeCA OGC legal representative at meetings and by telephone between DeCA, outside agencies, contractors and clients for the purpose of gathering information to use in developing recommendations, legal advice, opinions, and legal strategy by attorneys assigned to DeCA.
• Gather, analyze and prepare litigation reports for submission to the DeCA General Counsel, Department of Justice (DoJ), investigators, and others.
• Use statistical techniques to gather and analyze litigation data to evaluate the usefulness in researching legal issues.
• Research, compose (citing applicable supportive law, rule, regulation, and facts), and file a variety of legal documents including notices, entries of appearance, schedule changes, motions, discovery, affidavits, and settlement documents as determined necessary by the responsible attorney for submission to Federal administrative fora or Federal courts in cases involving the agency.
• Open and assemble cases and matters to be reviewed, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, and support assigned attorneys in litigation of matters before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), or other Federal litigation cases involving the agency.
• Submit entry and updates to computer case management systems to track the status of administrative and judicial, active/inactive, and closed cases throughout the agency.

Read the entire announcement before starting the application process.

Salary

• $75,715 - $98,426/year

Conditions of Employment

• Be a U.S. citizen or national. Applicants with a Permanent Resident Card are authorized to live and work in the U.S. but are not eligible for employment in positions requiring U.S. citizenship. If selected, proof of citizenship is required.
• Meet minimum age requirement. See the Additional Information.
• Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
• Appointment is subject to successful verification of identity and employment eligibility through E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Appointment is subject to a favorable suitability or fitness outcome, as determined by a completed background investigation. New federal employees will be fingerprinted.
• Be able to obtain and maintain clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.
• May be subject to a probationary/trial period.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Meet the physical requirements identified in the Qualifications section.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility based on the appropriate background investigation.

Qualifications In accordance with the Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-cler.asp.applications

To qualify at the GS-11 grade level:

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience must be at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector.

Creditable specialized experience include:

• Searching, analyzing and actively using online data and public filings, processing systems and other records maintained by government entities throughout the country to determine the status of various litigation and other matters.
• Assisting in the evaluation, development and litigation of EEO, personnel, labor, and contract cases for clients.
• Participate in court and administrative hearings on employee complaints, appeals, protests, investigations and arbitrations, depending on specific assignment.
• Investigating, gathering, classifying, interpreting and summarizing the factual situation, including any necessary statistical data which involves interviewing witnesses, collecting documents and statements, and compiling case files.
• Researching independently and briefing assigned attorney(s) with relevant facts, supportive legal standards and case law.
• Establishing, coordinating, maintaining, and closing of litigation and other files.
• Filing motions and pleadings.

OR

(b) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/) and in an appropriate field of study as described elsewhere in this announcement.

OR

(c) A combination of experience and education equaling 100% of the qualifications

You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Physical requirements: Work is sedentary and the incumbent usually sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some physical activity such as walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers and books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate your level of experience in the position's competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics).

• Communications
• Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
• Minimum Qualifications GS-11
• Reasoning

Overtime: Occasional
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non Exempt
Bargaining Unit Status: Not Covered
Obligated Position: No
Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met.
Work environment: Work involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical offices and meeting rooms. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated
Telework eligible: Yes - as determined by the agency policy
Remote work eligible: No Education USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY. You MUST provide transcripts and/or other documentation to support your educational claims. Transcripts. REQUIRED when using education to meet qualifications or when education is required. Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. Other Information

Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service.

• Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay.
• The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible.
• Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration.
• Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326.
• PCS IS Authorized: Most civilian PCS entitlements are now taxable. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income. More information is available at Civilian Relocation/PCS Tax Changes.

The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration.

• Submitting an incomplete application package, such as missing documents, illegible documents, and/or missing information necessary to determine qualifications and eligibility. A resume reflecting part-time (PT)/full-time (FT) or nothing rather than the number of hours worked per week (e.g., 40, 30, 20, etc.) may be considered incomplete.
• Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents.
• Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you.
• Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume.
• Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses.
• Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.

Required Documents

Resume. Learn more about creating a suitable resume by watching this video or reading What to include. Using the USAJOBS Resume Builder will help you submit a complete resume. Applying for a Federal job requires more information than applying for a job in the private sector. Therefore, a resume is typically longer than two (2) pages and usually does not need to be more than five (5) pages.

At a minimum, your resume MUST contain:

• Your name, address, phone, email address.
• Job Title. Series and grade (Federal Positions only).
• For each position held including employment beginning and ending dates (Month/Year).
• Your resume should reflect a description of duties performed and that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours per week listed, Full Time or 40 hours per week as your work schedule.

Questionnaire. Preview at https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12636623.

SF 50 Notification of Personnel Action. Required for current and former federal employees. Submit a copy of your most recent SF 50 showing your current position title, pay plan-series-grade, tenure and position occupied. To obtain a copy of your SF 50, all current Department of Defense (DoD) employees can access MyBiz, employees receiving HR servicing from DLA can access eOPF and former civilian employees can request a copy from the National Archives.

Veterans Preference.

• You must provide a copy of your DD-214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty or other acceptable documentation. The member 4 copy is preferred as it contains key information necessary to adjudicate your claimed preference. DD-214 Worksheets are not acceptable documentation, nor are other than a member 4 copy to which a member 4 Character of Service section is added. Contact the National Archives or your military personnel records center to request a copy of your DD-214.
• Those claiming 10-point preference must submit a completed SF 15 Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (For Veterans and Relatives of Veterans) and all required proof listed on the reverse of the SF 15. Note that a letter from the VA that contains the following may be sufficient instead of a SF-15: Dates of service, Discharge status, and Disability rating. Contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or call 1-800-827-1000 to obtain a copy of the VA letter establishing proof of disability. The character of service shown on the VA letter is not used to adjudicate veterans' preference as only the branch of service in which the individual served can certify the character of service for appointment purposes.
• Current active duty armed forces personnel within 120 days of separation must submit written documentation from the armed forces certifying that the service member is expected to be separated from active duty service not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed. The document must include the following information: (1) service member's name, (2) date of the expected separation from active duty, (3) expected character of the active duty service at separation, (4) pay grade/rank/rate at separation, (5) dates of active duty service, and (6) any campaign or expeditionary medals received. You must submit the DD-214 when it becomes available.

ICTAP eligibility: Submit (1) a copy of your agency specific ICTAP eligibility notice or a copy of your separation personnel action form and (2) a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and (3) a copy of your most recent SF 50 or agency notification of personnel action showing your current position, grade level, and duty location. Separation personnel actions do not include a certificate/notice of expected separation.

Priority Placement Program (PPP) DoD Retained Grade Preference (RGP) eligibility: 1. Submit a signed Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist DD3145-1 (whs.mil. 2. a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) effecting the placement in retained grade status; or a copy of the notification letter you received regarding the RIF or classification downgrade.

Military Spouse Preference: Submit (1) the Self-Certification Checklist and (2) proof of marriage to the military service member (e.g., marriage certificate, marriage license), and (3) a copy of the military service member's PCS orders.

How to Apply

Your complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM ET on 01/13/2025.

You are responsible for verifying your application package is complete, accurate, and submitted timely. As uploaded documents may take one or more hours to clear the virus scan, plan accordingly to ensure your application process is complete and your application package is submitted by the specified closing date and time.

To begin, click Apply to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your resume, required documents, and/or other supporting documents. You need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply or create an account before applying. You will be taken to an online application. Follow all prompts and complete the online application, verify you've included all required and supporting documentation, and submit your application. Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application is found at the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center. To receive consideration, you must complete all steps of the application process.

You can verify your application status by logging into your USAJOBS account, selecting the Application Status link, and then selecting the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page displays your application status, the documents received and processed, and your questionnaire responses.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits