Paralegal Specialist-Direct Hire Authority

Summary

Veterans' preference does not apply to DHA recruitment. Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below for more information. The primary purpose of this position is to support the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) as a paralegal, providing legal support for the most complex, often precedent, installation level cases in military justice, administrative law, claims, environmental law, contract law, labor law, international law, and operations law to the organization and tenant units.

Duties

Perform substantive and procedural legal work as authorized by law, which work, in the absence of the paralegal, would be performed by an attorney, in compliance with American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, Air Force Instruction (AFI) 51-110, Professional Responsibility Program and Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 51-101, The Air Force Judge Advocate General's Corps (AFJAGC) Operations, Accessions, and Professional Development. Under the supervision of an attorney, provide administrative and litigation support in processing and execution of all judicial, and nonjudicial (Article 15, UCMJ), and other adverse actions, to include administrative discharges/separations according to applicable laws and instructions, the Manual for Courts-martial (MCM) and other guidance. Manages designs, develops, upgrades, installs and maintains office automation systems, including hardware, software, and voice mail communications systems for the Eglin Law Center. Incumbent provides assistance to the legal assistance program as needed or other duties in support of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Performs other administrative, clerical, or additional duties in support of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.

Qualifications

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, for Administrative and Management positions. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 3 years of general experience, 1 year (52 weeks) at the next lower broadband NH-01, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-04 or equivalent in other pay systems. General experience is described as provide a basic knowledge of generalize experience will be providing administrative and litigation support in processing and execution of all judicial, and nonjudicial, and other adverse actions, to include administrative discharges/separations according to applicable laws and instructions, the Manual for Courts-martial (MCM) and other guidance. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. OR EDUCATION: 4- year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Ideal Candidate:The ideal candidate for this position is a disciplined legal professional who possesses an understanding of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), and Department of the Air Force Instructions. They must be capable of performing substantive legal work that directly supports attorney-led litigation, from drafting complex charges and specifications to managing administrative discharge boards. This individual should demonstrate exceptional research and writing skills, ensuring all legal reviews and transcripts are accurate and mission-ready. Beyond technical proficiency, the candidate must exhibit a high degree of empathy and professionalism when managing the Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), serving as a trusted advocate and liaison for those navigating the military justice system. In addition to their legal acumen, the ideal candidate is a tech-savvy administrator who can seamlessly pivot to the role of Computer Security Administrator (CSA). They must possess technical proficiency to troubleshoot hardware and software issues, maintain web application, and manage specialized databases like DCMS, WASP, and WebLIONS. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who can oversee office automation systems while simultaneously managing the daily operations of a legal office, including Defense Travel System (DTS) coordination and notary services. Successful candidates will be characterized by their ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and government officials, maintaining a high standard of office management and organizational discipline under the pressure of a high-tempo Legal Office environment. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to perform the procedural and administrative work of the organization sue as preparing and editing legal documents and administrative correspondence, maintaining files and record , and assembling information for various legal documents and reports; knowledge of legal services and terminology in the area of military justice, legal assistance, and legal research techniques; and knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and required legal formats and directives regarding preparation of written communications to produce legal and administrative documents and communications. Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, customer assistance, prepare and review correspondence, and perform other administrative work of the organization. Ability to interpret and apply regulatory and procedural requirements to process unusually difficult and complicated transactions. Understanding of hardware and software installation and inte, ration requirements for office automation systems, LAN administration, and working knowledge of JA specific soft are/web based programs is required. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and required legal formats and directives regarding preparation of writtencommunications to produce legal and administrative documents and communications is required. Skill in logic and interpersonal skills to conduct interviews, recognize, explore, and exploit leads, detect discrepancies in information, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, and analyze, interpret, and evaluate information obtained is required. Knowledge of principles and concepts to interpret regulation and instructions is required. Working knowledge of computers and computer software is r quired to support office operations and procedure a variety of textual documents, such as letters, reports, memorandums, and form letters. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Understanding of the Staff Judge Advocate Manpower Standard and civilian personnel actions both GS and NSPS personnel programs, is required. Skill in typing (40 wpm); a qualified typist is required. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Working knowledge of the Internet and Web page design is recommended. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further. APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license. ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/15/2026 To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13086751 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 application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: 1. Your Resume. If you submit more than one resume, only the most recent will be reviewed. The "most recent" is considered the resume with the latest timestamp. Resumes may not exceed two pages. The two-page resume ensures the most relevant experience is reviewed and considered, which is a common practice in both the public and private sectors. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration. Additional information on how to complete or update your resume may be located here. For qualification determination your resume must contain hours worked per week and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient, and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees may list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your name, first and last, MUST be included on your resume. 2. A complete Application Questionnaire 3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name. 4. Help recruiters find you. Make your resume and profile searchable, which means recruiters may contact you about possible jobs. Additional information may be located here. PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan. Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

What to Expect Next

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement em...

Experience requirements are described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, for Administrative and Management positions. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least 3 years of general experience, 1 year (52 weeks) at the next lower broadband NH-01, equivalent to the next lower grade GS-04 or equivalent in other pay systems. General experience is described as provide a basic knowledge of generalize experience will be providing administrative and litigation support in processing and execution of all judicial, and nonjudicial, and other adverse actions, to include administrative discharges/separations according to applicable laws and instructions, the Manual for Courts-martial (MCM) and other guidance. NOTE: Due to the use of 120-day rosters, this period of experience may be completed within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement. OR EDUCATION: 4- year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Ideal Candidate:The ideal candidate for this position is a disciplined legal professional who possesses an understanding of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM), and Department of the Air Force Instructions. They must be capable of performing substantive legal work that directly supports attorney-led litigation, from drafting complex charges and specifications to managing administrative discharge boards. This individual should demonstrate exceptional research and writing skills, ensuring all legal reviews and transcripts are accurate and mission-ready. Beyond technical proficiency, the candidate must exhibit a high degree of empathy and professionalism when managing the Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP), serving as a trusted advocate and liaison for those navigating the military justice system. In addition to their legal acumen, the ideal candidate is a tech-savvy administrator who can seamlessly pivot to the role of Computer Security Administrator (CSA). They must possess technical proficiency to troubleshoot hardware and software issues, maintain web application, and manage specialized databases like DCMS, WASP, and WebLIONS. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who can oversee office automation systems while simultaneously managing the daily operations of a legal office, including Defense Travel System (DTS) coordination and notary services. Successful candidates will be characterized by their ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders and government officials, maintaining a high standard of office management and organizational discipline under the pressure of a high-tempo Legal Office environment. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to perform the procedural and administrative work of the organization sue as preparing and editing legal documents and administrative correspondence, maintaining files and record , and assembling information for various legal documents and reports; knowledge of legal services and terminology in the area of military justice, legal assistance, and legal research techniques; and knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and required legal formats and directives regarding preparation of written communications to produce legal and administrative documents and communications. Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, customer assistance, prepare and review correspondence, and perform other administrative work of the organization. Ability to interpret and apply regulatory and procedural requirements to process unusually difficult and complicated transactions. Understanding of hardware and software installation and inte, ration requirements for office automation systems, LAN administration, and working knowledge of JA specific soft are/web based programs is required. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and required legal formats and directives regarding preparation of writtencommunications to produce legal and administrative documents and communications is required. Skill in logic and interpersonal skills to conduct interviews, recognize, explore, and exploit leads, detect discrepancies in information, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, and analyze, interpret, and evaluate information obtained is required. Knowledge of principles and concepts to interpret regulation and instructions is required. Working knowledge of computers and computer software is r quired to support office operations and procedure a variety of textual documents, such as letters, reports, memorandums, and form letters. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Understanding of the Staff Judge Advocate Manpower Standard and civilian personnel actions both GS and NSPS personnel programs, is required. Skill in typing (40 wpm); a qualified typist is required. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Working knowledge of the Internet and Web page design is recommended. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.