Paralegal Specialist

Time in Grade GS-11: For entry at the GS-11 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-09 or equivalent or higher grade, in the Federal Service. Time in Grade GS-12: For entry at the GS-12 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or equivalent or higher grade, in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience at the GS-11 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-09 level in the Federal service or at an equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating the ability to support and assist an attorney by conducting legal research and analysis into legislative history, caselaw precedent, and regulatory provisions impacting relevant legal issues and evidence for administrative proceedings or trial; providing case management for litigation and contested hearing matters; managing and tracking filing deadlines; and preparing hearing documents and products. Specialized Experience at the GS-12 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in the Federal service or at an equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating the ability to support and assist the assigned attorney in administering a federal agency Ethics Program and in providing paralegal support in administrative proceedings and litigation, including providing ethics guidance and support to employees. Experience also includes administering financial disclosure programs and systems; managing and tracking filing deadlines, conducting legal research on issues involving personnel and equal opportunity law; managing records collection and management in litigation matters; and preparing hearing documents & products. You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp. 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) is qualifying. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience. Qualification and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants who have held a non-temporary General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the time-in-grade restriction. Additional Required Documents Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Priority Consideration: If you are a federal employee who will be or has been separated by a Reduction in Force (RIF), you must submit a copy of your RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance. NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are NOT ICTAP eligible. The following documents must be submitted as they apply to your eligibility claim, before the announcement closes: Most recent completed annual performance appraisal within the past 18 months. The performance appraisal must include the final rating. Mid-year progress reviews will not be accepted. Latest SF-50 that shows your position, grade level, and duty location for the job you were (or will be) separated from. If you did not reach your full performance level or promotion potential, you should also submit an additional SF-50 that documents that grade level. Proof of ICTAP eligibility, such as: RIF notice within the past year. Removal notice for refusing relocation. Disability annuity termination notice. Agency's certification of inability to reemploy you. For more details on ICTAP, see 5 CFR Part 330 Subpart G and OPM's Guide to Career Transition. Individuals with disabilities: If you are an individual with a documented disability, you must submit a letter signed by a doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter should state that you have a documented disability and are eligible for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: If you are a Military Spouse Preference applicant, you must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. If determined best qualified, you will be placed at that full performance level of the position. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.

Time in Grade GS-11: For entry at the GS-11 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-09 or equivalent or higher grade, in the Federal Service. Time in Grade GS-12: For entry at the GS-12 level, status applicants must have served 52 weeks as a GS-11 or equivalent or higher grade, in the Federal Service. Specialized Experience at the GS-11 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-09 level in the Federal service or at an equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating the ability to support and assist an attorney by conducting legal research and analysis into legislative history, caselaw precedent, and regulatory provisions impacting relevant legal issues and evidence for administrative proceedings or trial; providing case management for litigation and contested hearing matters; managing and tracking filing deadlines; and preparing hearing documents and products. Specialized Experience at the GS-12 level: Applicants must have 52 weeks of specialized experience at the GS-11 level in the Federal service or at an equivalent level. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrating the ability to support and assist the assigned attorney in administering a federal agency Ethics Program and in providing paralegal support in administrative proceedings and litigation, including providing ethics guidance and support to employees. Experience also includes administering financial disclosure programs and systems; managing and tracking filing deadlines, conducting legal research on issues involving personnel and equal opportunity law; managing records collection and management in litigation matters; and preparing hearing documents & products. You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp. 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) is qualifying. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience. Qualification and time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Applicants who have held a non-temporary General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must meet the time-in-grade restriction. Additional Required Documents Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) Priority Consideration: If you are a federal employee who will be or has been separated by a Reduction in Force (RIF), you must submit a copy of your RIF separation notice and SF-50 if available. For more information on ICTAP, click here ICTAP Guidance. NOTE: If you have never worked for the Federal Government, you are NOT ICTAP eligible. The following documents must be submitted as they apply to your eligibility claim, before the announcement closes: Most recent completed annual performance appraisal within the past 18 months. The performance appraisal must include the final rating. Mid-year progress reviews will not be accepted. Latest SF-50 that shows your position, grade level, and duty location for the job you were (or will be) separated from. If you did not reach your full performance level or promotion potential, you should also submit an additional SF-50 that documents that grade level. Proof of ICTAP eligibility, such as: RIF notice within the past year. Removal notice for refusing relocation. Disability annuity termination notice. Agency's certification of inability to reemploy you. For more details on ICTAP, see 5 CFR Part 330 Subpart G and OPM's Guide to Career Transition. Individuals with disabilities: If you are an individual with a documented disability, you must submit a letter signed by a doctor, a licensed medical professional, a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal, state, or local agency that issues or provides disability benefits. The letter should state that you have a documented disability and are eligible for employment under the Schedule A hiring authority, 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: If you are a Military Spouse Preference applicant, you must include a completed copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Spouse Preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. If determined best qualified, you will be placed at that full performance level of the position. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technicians Receiving Disability Retirement PPP Eligible: MR and NG technicians receiving disability retirement PPP applicants must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Military Reserve and National Guard Technician Disability PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Retained Grade PPP Eligible: Retained Grade PPP applicants, must be selected and placed at the full performance level if determined well qualified. You must include a completed copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist to verify your eligibility for Retained Grade preference. Click here to obtain a copy of the Retained Grade PPP Self-Certification Checklist.