Paralegal Specialist

Summary

As a Paralegal Specialist at the GS-0950-11, you will be part of the Field Coordination - Systemic Programs (FCSP), Office of Field Programs (OFP), U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). If selected, you will support the Associate Director, Field Offices, and the systemic investigative team and assist with legal and administrative matters pertaining to the FCSP. The selectee will be required to have a duty station at Headquarters or one of the 53 EEOC Field Offices.

Duties

Conducts legal and factual research on applicable laws, regulations, policies, and agency guidance to support the development, planning, and execution of systemic investigations. Prepares investigative materials, such as information requests, interview scripts, and parts of investigative plans for systemic cases; assists with program guidance and helps interview, track, and locate witnesses. Maintains and analyzes records, information, and reports essential to the EEOC's Systemic Program's operations and investigations, ensuring proper maintenance, organization, accuracy, and accessibility. Manages scheduling and calendars for the systemic unit; issues scheduling notices and coordinates logistics for systemic conferences, meetings, and trainings; and handles systemic administrative matters as directed. Reviews systemic-related charges and case files during the intake process to identify key issues, evidentiary needs, and potential indicators of systemic discrimination; organizes and prepares documents for uploading into the case file. Reviews investigative files and provides recommendations to support investigative direction, case development, and record-management needs.

Qualifications

For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes legal and factual research, drafting legal pleadings or investigative materials, reviewing and analyzing evidentiary materials and case files, organizing and maintaining records in an electronic case-management platform, preparing reports, coordinating schedules, meetings, and logistics to support program operations, and interviewing, locating, and tracking witnesses. OR Successful completion of a Ph.D, or equivalent doctoral degree, directly related to the position, OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS- 11 level. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements (e.g., time-in-grade and qualification requirements) within 30 days of the closing date specified in the vacancy announcement. 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

Education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13040035 All qualified Non Competitive applicants and the best qualified Merit Promotion applicants will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: 1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; 2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and 3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/ Equal Employment Opportunity The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), 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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Your Resume (NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES) showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of your qualifications, you will not receive consideration for the position. College Transcripts, if using education in lieu of experience to qualify. If applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal Service, please provide a copy of your last or most recent SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" which shows your appointment eligibility for the position for which you are applying. Your SF-50 must identify your career/career-conditional status, title, series and grade (do not submit an Award SF-50). Also provide the SF-50 that reflects the highest grade level held on a permanent basis or the full performance level of your current position, whichever is higher. Most recent Performance Appraisal, if applicable. Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal. Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50. Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Interchange Agreement with Other Merit Systems Eligible: Documentation of eligibility as listed in each individual interchange agreement. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) Eligibles: If you are a current or former land management agency appointee - you must provide documentation to verify eligibility as follows: a) A copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, that reflects having initially been hired under competitive examining procedures to a time limited (temporary/term) appointment; b) A copy of SF-50(s), Notification of Personnel Action(s), that reflect having served under one (1) or more time-limited (temporary/term) appointments by a land management agency for a period totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of two (2) or more years; and (c) A copy of your Performance Appraisal Plan and/or Supervisor Memorandum that reflects having performed at an acceptable level during each period of service. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act, Veterans Recruitment Appointment, and 30% Disabled Veteran Eligible: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions within 120 days. Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable) - The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently or have been a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch within the last 5 years, you must disclose this in your application package. Certain Military Spouses Eligible under E.O. 13473: verification of the member's current active duty status; OR verification of the member's 100% disability (VA Letter); and/or verification of the member's death while on active duty (DD-1300 and Death Certificate) AND verification of the marriage to the service member (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage). Certain Family Members Eligible under E.O. 12721: Your most recent non-award SF-50 and performance appraisal. Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities Appointment Eligibles: A copy of your Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u). Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA: A copy of your Peace Corp Description of Service (DOS) Letter, SF-50, or your VISTA Verification of Service letter from your representative after successful completion of the program. Failure to submit documents required may result in loss of consideration.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows: Click the Apply Online button. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date. If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice. Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Set aside at least 3 hours to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link. Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused. Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us. To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/howto/application/status/. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.

What to Expect Next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated. You will receive another notification about the status of your application. The assessment process will evaluate your qualifications for the position and will be used to identify the best-qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. Your responses are subject to verification through the documentation you submit and through subsequent assessment steps. Deliberate attempts to provide false or misleading information may result in disqualification or removal from the position or agency if discovered during or after appointment. We expect to make a job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Additional Information

Relocation expenses will not be paid. This is a bargaining unit position: National Council of EEOC Locals, No. 216 Representing BUS code 1125 You will be expected to report to the duty station listed on this announcement. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across EEOC. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed u...

For the GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in Federal service. Specialized experience includes legal and factual research, drafting legal pleadings or investigative materials, reviewing and analyzing evidentiary materials and case files, organizing and maintaining records in an electronic case-management platform, preparing reports, coordinating schedules, meetings, and logistics to support program operations, and interviewing, locating, and tracking witnesses. OR Successful completion of a Ph.D, or equivalent doctoral degree, directly related to the position, OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS- 11 level. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements (e.g., time-in-grade and qualification requirements) within 30 days of the closing date specified in the vacancy announcement. 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.