Paralegal Specialist

Education GL-09: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B or J.D., if related. GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related. Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR Experience You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Some examples of this qualifying experience are: GL-09: Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation.

Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures.

Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record pursuant to FOIA/PA in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and/or other litigation.

Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, selecting and compiling substantive information, applying statues and appropriate legal precedents, and preparation of responsive legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, and/or requests for representation).

GS-11: Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation, and substantiating rationale in the event of appeal.

Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to variety of complex legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures.

Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, conducting supplemental investigation/witness interviews for development of facts, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and other litigation.

Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, applying statutes and other legal precedents, selecting and compiling substantive information, recommending action/response, and following required procedures in the preparation and submission of legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, requests for representation, others).

OR Combination of Education and Experience Equivalent combinations of education and experience that must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above. If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities. Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.

Serves in a Regional Office of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Perform legal research while selecting, assembling, summarizing and compiling substantive information by the use of statutes, regulations, and Department of Justice Orders in the preparation of draft responses to FOIA/PA requests and Tort Claims.

Assists in the preparation for litigation; analyzes facts; recommends possible courses of action; drafts or examines legal documents relative to the bureau's activities; interprets statutes, rules, regulations and new legislation; and performs other functions related to the overall operation of the Regional Legal Office.

Determines if submissions are properly filed under the correct statute and advises institution staff, Consolidated Legal Center staff, and individual claimants of alternatives if the claim is more appropriately acceptable under another statute. Updates and alerts the Regional Counsel, the Deputy Regional Counsel, and other employees of relevant changes in the policy and law as they occur.

Independently receives, reviews and analyzes suits under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, Constitutional complaints, habeas corpus, mandamus and Administrative Procedures Act and any other complaint or action related to the custodial environment or operation of the bureau. Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution.

The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position, and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.