Paralegal Specialist

To Qualify for the GS-9: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in the Federal service with the or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: drafting pleadings, motions, orders, subpoenas, or other legal documents and correspondence; preparing and organizing evidence for production as discovery for use in trial; conducting legal research by searching databases, reviewing case files and other sources for information; and entering data into a case management tracking system.

OR Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.): a master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. OR Combining Education and Experience: Combination of specialized experience as described above, and graduate-level education as described above in which when combined equal 100% of the requirements.

In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of one full year.

To Qualify for the GS-11: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector demonstrating the following: analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify issues and/or evidence; conducting legal research concerning court decisions and precedents; composing legal briefs, summaries of analysis and decisions, and/or pre-trial documents; interviewing witnesses and various individuals who can provide insight into cases under review; and assisting in trial preparation by compiling, organizing, and indexing various evidentiary exhibits.

OR Education: One of the following types of education in a related field (e.g. Criminal Justice, Law, Legal Studies, Sociology, etc.): 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., if related. OR Combining Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and graduate education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements.

In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 2 full years.

To Qualify for the GS-12: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service which includes reviewing and evaluating incoming legal documents and communications to determine appropriate action; compiling and organizing relevant documents into an administrative record; coordinating activities with intra-agency and inter-agency staff, and prepares follow-up correspondence, recommendations, and legal documents; conducting substantive legal research using digital legal databases to analyze disputed issues of fact and law; and experience preparing and drafting a variety of legal documents and correspondence for review and adoption of trial attorneys.

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. 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. Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level) by the closing date of this announcement.

This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with FMC.

The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow FMC to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov). Promotion Potential - This position may be filled at the GS-9, GS-11 or GS-12.

The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary (OS), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). As a Paralegal Specialist, the incumbent will serve as the senior technical specialist for docket administration and the procedural requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, and independently handles the most complex, novel, and sensitive filings and procedural matters presented to the Commission.

If selected, you will provide legal assistance, information processing, and administrative support for the Commission's adjudicative proceedings, the Docket Activity Library, and the electronic docket on the Commission's website. The incumbent: Screens and directs telephone calls and e-mail messages to the appropriate person(s), office(s), or bureau(s).

Answers routine questions concerning Commission activities, operations, and the status of docketed proceedings by consulting official records, the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Assigns official docket numbers in accordance with established procedures. Processes and circulates motions, petitions, pleadings, comments, and request for documents.

Updates electronic status logs and spreadsheets that document and track filings and actions, and timely posts logs and documents (e.g., pleadings, filings and orders) to the Commission's website in accordance with established indexing conventions. Establishes and maintains formal hearing and exhibit files for review by the public and other interested parties. Tracks and maintains a calendar of docketed proceedings and alerts the Secretary or Assistant Secretary to approaching deadlines for Commission action.

Participates in assigned training in the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended; the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure; Federal Register and procedures; legal research and citation; and the statutes administered by the OS, including FOIA, the Privacy Act, the Congressional Review Act (CRA), and the Government in the Sunshine Act. Recommends improvements to procedures and SOPs based on experience with assigned work.