PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Clerical and Administrative Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: : Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes In-depth knowledge of the application of various laws applicable to agency mission, Federal and State laws governing or impacting on the program, court and/or administrative decisions and interpretations, rules, regulations, policies and procedures which pertain to the administration of legal program, principles, concepts, and methods of legal research, to include automated legal research systems, such as LexisNexis, MSPB decisions, and legal reference sources in DOD, Air Force Instructions, Office of Government Ethics, and related sources sufficient to perform complex level research.

Knowledge of various titles of law applicable to agency mission and federal and state laws governing or impacting the mission of the U.S. Air Force. Mastery of oral and written English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Drafts, reviews, and proofreads lengthy and complex legal documents. Interfaces with clients seeking professional legal advice and assistance. Skill and experience in operating a personal computer and automated word, spreadsheets, and graphics programs.

01EDUCATION

Successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. related to the position being filled. NOTE: A copy of your transcripts must be submitted at time of application. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: Successfully completed some graduate level education and I have some specialized experience as described above.

Therefore, I have a combination of specialized experience and graduate level education to qualify for this position. Only graduate education in excess of 2 full years may be used in this calculation. NOTE: A copy of your transcripts must be submitted at time of application. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

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: 1. Legal and administrative knowledge in performing responsible paralegal and technical assignments, to include but not limited to Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Rules of Procedure and decisions. Knowledge of statutory and regulatory exclusions that apply to both FOIA and PA.

Must be able to draft motions, pleadings, and other court documents; coordinate meetings and/or court hearings; and track and manage all pending labor relations matters from inception through appeal. 2. Comprehensive knowledge of Federal Rules of Civil Procedures, MSPB Rules of Procedure, Federal Rules of Evidence, applicable titles of law to the civil and criminal justice areas. Skill in interpreting, explaining, and presenting findings and conclusions relevant to a case or situation. 3.

Two years or more of experience working with legal problems associated with the various categories of law identified above. The abilities to work independently, make sound, well-reasoned decisions are essential in order to effectively carry out the duties of this position. Must know how to research, analyze, and interpret legal documents and apply the information to case preparation.

Must have in-depth knowledge of principles and techniques of legal research, familiarity with legal terminology and general legal materials, and proficiency in the use of such knowledge. 4. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and complete assignments, establish schedules and milestones in managing programs, and exercise a high degree of responsible initiative. Ability to independently research, interpret, analyze, investigate, and define facts in legal documents and apply to case preparation.

Ability to perform computer-based legal research using sources such as LexisNexis. Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and maintain good working relationship. 5. Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs necessary to perform the procedural and administrative work of the organization. Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, prepare and review correspondence, and perform other administrative work of the organization.

Knowledge of various office automation software programs, tools, and techniques to support office operations and produce a variety of documents such as letters, reports, spreadsheets, databases, and graphs. 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.

1. Functions as a Civil Division Manager providing administrative support, exercising a wide latitude of professional judgment essential to managing the performance of administrative/management functions including policy matters involving administrative support; functional and manpower planning, civilian and military personnel administration; security administration; and travel authorization. 2. Provides support for all administrative law, ethics law, fiscal law, contract law, personnel law, operational law and Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, within the 502 ISG/JA civil law division. 3. Analyzes administrative action and independently prepares and coordinates preliminary legal review of all proposed and decision notifications of disciplinary and adverse actions against civilian employees, including Air Reserve Technician (ART), assigned to the installation by conducting extensive labor law research. 4. Provides support to the Legal Assistance Program located within the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.