Serves as Paralegal Specialist in the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), performing a variety of legal duties in connection with functions such as hearings and advisory services in the OALJ, including assisting judges and attorneys in various legal areas by reviewing case materials as they are presented, performing legal research and preparing summaries of research of laws, regulations, and citations for review.
Duties
As a Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-11, you will perform the following major duties: Performs legal research and analysis on a wide variety of significant legal issues to assist in the resolution of various actions or issues. Prepares correspondence and summaries on complex legal subjects, drafts orders, subpoenas, and other legal instruments, for review and approval of the case manager and Administrative Law Judges (AJLS). Analyzes cases, legal documents, policies, statutes, regulations, and other legal sources for precedential or analogous information and/or argument and composes written drafts for AJLS approval and finishing. Schedules hearings and reserves courtroom space all over the country and arranging for court reporting services through the Board's court reporting contractor.
Salary
Qualifications
In order to qualify for the Paralegal Specialist position, you must meet one of the following minimum qualifications. FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year (12-months) or more of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent experience in the private sector that includes: experience providing paralegal support for hearings and trials; drafting orders, subpoenas, and other legal instruments, for review and approval; conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports, based on policy, statutory authority and case law; reviewing and analyzing a variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, applying statutes and other legal precedents, selecting and compiling substantive information, recommending action/response. Interpreting federal statutes, regulations, and policies to make recommendations to case managers, attorneys, or judges. -OR- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M, if related (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law) (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts for verification.) -OR- A combination of both specialized experience and education as explained below. Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.) For more information see link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0900/paralegal-specialist-series-0950/ NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating. Shared Certificates: Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Offices within the National Transportation Safety Board who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.
Education
GENERAL EDUCATION: All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/accreditation?src=rn. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at: http://www.ed.gov FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Required Documents
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional. The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE: A Complete Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoF Responses to the questionnaire. College transcripts (Unofficial or Official), if qualifying based on education or as a basic requirement. ALL CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST SUBMIT THE MOST RECENT COPY OF THEIR SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) showing competitive status, listing your Position Title, Series and Grade and Step, Tenure (Block 24 -1 or 2) and Position Occupied (Block 34 -1). Additionally, applicants should also submit a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held on a permanent basis in the competitive service or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. (Do not submit your Award SF-50). DD-214 (member copy 4), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities. Certain Military Souse (EO 13473, 5 CFR 315.612), if applying as a spouse of a service member, you must provide submit a copy of service member's current orders or Statement of Service letter. Additionally, if you are a current federal employee, you must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50. If applying as a spouse of a service member who incurred a 100% disability because of service member's active-duty service, you must submit a copy of your spouses' DD-214 and a copy of documentation from the Department of Veteran's Affairs or the Department of Defense indicating the service member has a disability rating of 100% due to a service-connected disability. If applying as a spouse of a service member who was killed while on active duty, you must submit a copy of your spouse's DD-1300 documenting the service member was killed while on active duty and a statement certifying that you have not remarried. Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable. Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: For more information on LMWFA, visit: https://chcoc.gov/content/implementing-policy-guidance-land-management-workforce-flexibility-act
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package (see the required documents section).The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/15/2025. To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process. To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12752630. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position. NOTE: If you cannot apply online, please send an e-mail which includes the vacancy announcement number, position title and the reason you are not able to apply on-line to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.
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