PARALEGAL SPECIALIST
Missile Defense Agency See More Job Openings by This Employer
- Full Time
- $90,431 - $153,354/year
- Redstone Arsenal, AL View More
This is a competitive announcement utilizing Direct Hire Authority (DHA) for Acq Demo Business and Technical Management to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service. The position(s) covered by this vacancy announcement is in the Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo). For more information please see: AcqDemo
DutiesThe primary purpose of this position is for paralegal support within MDA's Office of the General Counsel. As a PARALEGAL SPECIALIST at the NH-0950-03 level some of your typical work assignments may include:
- Performs extensive and thorough legal research into the legislative history, present cases, decisions, and opinions that may be necessary for developing the analysis of issues pertaining to labor and employment law, FOIA requests and appeals, and Federal acquisition and contracting actions.
- Compiles accurate and factual information using electronics systems; maintains comprehensive electronics files; and processes and tracks data and statistics of office programs.
- Conducts document reviews and performs comprehensive legal analysis of responses to requests for information submitted under the provisions of various acts.
- Presents findings and recommendations on complex issues or problems impacting well-established programs and projects.
- Provides high-level professional organizational and administrative support to the Office of General Counsel and it's leadership by preparing detailed reports related to office programs, managing and effectively organizing information.
- Drafts and redacts advisories, correspondences, memoranda, forms or reports and other written materials for internal use and submission to courts, administrative tribunals, opposing counsel, and other entities, while exercising attention to detail, in adherence with established policies and procedures.
- Organizes and manages workflow for attorneys, including tracking workload, prior participation, and subject matter expertise.
- Participates in providing direct legal services to clients on case and/or program assignments, including but not limited to handling, under attorney oversight, reviews related to contracts, procurement, ethics, research, privacy, release of information and other legal service areas.
- Participates in reviewing case materials to become familiar with the relevant issues; accesses and obtains factual and legal information from available electronic systems and research sources; and supports litigation (i.e. interviews witnesses, prepares case summary reports, participates in trial preparation, drafts discovery requests and discovery responses, prepares and organizes trial exhibits, coordinates meetings and logistics associated with litigation).
- Conducts reoccurring legal and factual research and writing, as assigned, utilizing all applicable legal research tools available. Obtains, analyzes, develops and applies relevant facts and law to assigned work. Assists attorneys in preparing memoranda, briefs, draft legal opinions, and/or written documents needed to deliver accurate, timely, and effective legal services.
- $90,431 - $153,354/year
- Must be a U.S. Citizen
- Occasional Travel
- Work Schedule: Full-time
- Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service
- Suitable for Federal employment, determined by a background investigation
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period
- Overtime: Occasionally
- Tour of Duty: Flexible
- Recruitment Incentives: Relocation incentives may be offered consistent with Agency Policy.
- Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Exempt
- Financial Disclosure: Required
- Telework Eligibility: This position is telework eligible
A. Have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower broadband (NH-02/GS-11) or equivalent in the federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) meeting 3 of the 5 following statements:
- Experience conducting research, analysis and evaluation of data in response to complex and/or sensitive requests;
- Experience searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel;
- Experience performing a variety of analytical paralegal or related work which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; experience analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing briefing papers, summaries of analyses and decisions, and pre-trial and trial documents; Knowledge and experience in federal law and administrative processes is preferred, but demonstrated general experience with federal legal and regulatory issues is required; skill analyzing and researching complex legal issues using legal and administrative reference sources such as agency manuals, directives, precedent decisions, court decisions, and legal publications, as well as computerized legal and legislative reference sources.
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 Paralegal certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree: OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours that 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. FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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 Other Information
Other Notes:
RE-EMPLOYED ANNUITANT: This position DOES NOT meet criteria for re-employed annuitant. The DoD criteria for hiring Re-employed Annuitants can be found at: https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/140025/1400.25-V300.pdf
All applicants must meet qualifications and eligibility criteria by the closing date of the announcement.
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Who Needs to Register | Selective Service System : Selective Service System (sss.gov))
The documents you are required to submit vary based on the authority you are using to apply (i.e., applying as a veteran, applying as a current permanent Federal employee, applying as a reinstatement, etc).
Your complete application includes your COMPLETE resume, your responses to the online questionnaire, and documents which prove your eligibility to apply. If you fail to provide these documents, you will be marked as having an incomplete application package and you will not be considered any further.
The following documents are REQUIRED
1. Your resume:
- Your resume may be submitted in any format. It must include your name and contact information and support the specialized experience described in this announcement.
- For qualifications determinations your resume must contain the number of hours worked per week and the dates of employment (i.e.," HRS per week and month/year" or "HRS per week and month/year to present").
- For additional information see: What to include in your resume.
- Please limit your resume to 5 pages.
- This position has a degree or education requirement so you are required to submit a copy of your transcript. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the lists of classes and credits earned.
- College transcript(s), required if qualifying based on education. We accept unofficial transcripts, as long as they contain your name, the name of the school, the date and degree that was awarded, and the lists of classes and credits earned.
- If applying using veteran's preference or under a Veteran's hiring authority you must submit the following documents:
- DD214 showing character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter showing final percentage, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty.
Military Spouse Preference(Non Comp) Submit (1) Marriage certificate and (2) a copy of your spouse's active Military Orders and (3) DD-214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (if Applicable) and (4) DD1300 - Report of Casualty (If applicable).
Future military retirees and/or Future military separatees: must include a copy of their terminal leave request, if applicable, AND a copy of retirement DD214 [if available]. If DD214 not available, submit a certification document* or a copy of your retirement letter.
*A written document from the armed forces certifying the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certificate is signed. The certification must be on letterhead signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, unit commander or higher headquarters and include your rank, dates of active duty service, type of discharge, character of service, and, if applicable, the date your terminal leave begins. This document is sometimes called a Statement of Service.
https://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/Careers/downloads/FourthEstateRequiredSupportingDocumentation%2011-16-2020.pdf?ver=Lgkkn1HW9a8is7V2lyCS2Q%3d%3d
Military Spouse PPP Self-certification Checklist
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply Online to access an online application. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account or you may need to create a new account.
You will be taken to an online application. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation, and submit the application.
You will receive an email notification when your application has been received for the announcement.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Application Status page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and your responses submitted to the online application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To preview the questionnaire, please go to https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12597791.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy And gender identity), 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.
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Reasonable Accommodation Policy
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.
A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations:
- When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for a job.
- When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job or to gain access to the workplace, And
- When an employee with a disability needs an accommodation to enjoy equal access to benefits and privileges of employment (e.g., details, trainings, office-sponsored events).
- Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations
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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.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
