Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-11/12 (DEU-KD) Department of the Interior
541 reviews - Washington, DC $68,036 - $106,012 a year - Full-time,
Part-time Duties Summary With an emphasis on high ethical standards,
excellence in public service and the delivery of quality legal services,
the Office of the Solicitor performs the legal work for the United
States Department of the Interior, manages the Department's Ethics
Office and resolves FOIA Appeals. With more than four hundred total
employees, three hundred of which are attorneys licensed in forty
states, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill
the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission. What General
Information Do I Need To Know About This Position? * Open to current or
former Federal employees: SOL-2018-0042. * Salary: GS-11 $61,218 (Step
01) to $79,586 (Step 10); Salary: GS-12 $73,375 (Step 01) to $95,388
(Step 10) * NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are
typically hired at the Step 01. * The Office of the Solicitor has
determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework
and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
The official worksite for the selectee is the duty location identified
in this vacancy announcement (Washington, DC). The selectee will
typically report to this location on a regular and recurring basis. *
For additional information on telework you may access the Department of
Interiors Telework Handbook at
http://www.usgs.gov/humancapital/pb/documents/teleworkhandbookOctober2012.pdf
. Responsibilities As a(n) FOIA Paralegal Specialist within the Office
of the Solicitor, Division of Administration, located in Washington, DC
, some of your specific duties will include: * Processing highly complex
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted under FOIA
consistent with agency policies and procedures and analyze requests to
determine applicability of the Act. * Compose a variety of written
correspondence and maintains a complete and accurate case file of
records. * Conduct extensive research to determine if requested
information exists and its location in a timely manner. * Reviewing and
researching the release of records under FOIA regulations to the public.
- Research, analyze, evaluates, and correlate information and data from
a variety of sources and exercise independence to establish or
disestablish the responsiveness of information. * Remain abreast of
current and new developments, recent court decisions, legislative and
Congressional initiatives concerning the release of information under
the FOIA to accurately invoke appropriate exemptions provided under the
Act, including the denial of information of records sought. * Analyzes
potentially responsive FOIA databases and implements complex data
extraction techniques for information and provides technical advice
employees regarding the application of the FOIA and all associated
software. * Provides training and assistance as needed to staff members.
- This position requires strong research skills and ability to
effectively communicate in writing and orally. Travel Required Not
required Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 12 Who May Apply This
job is open to U.S. Citizens Questions? This job is open to 1 group. *
Job family (Series) 0950 Paralegal Specialist Similar jobs * Paralegals
- Requirements Requirements Conditions of Employment * Applicants must
be U.S. Citizens. * Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by
background investigation. * Selectee may be subject to serving a
one-year probationary period. * More requirements are listed under
Qualifications and Other Information. Are There Any Special Requirements
For This Position? * A background investigation will be required for
this position. Continued employment will be subject to the applicant's
successful completion of a background security investigation and
favorable adjudication. Failure to successfully meet these requirements
will be grounds for termination. * Throughout the recruitment and hiring
process we will be communicating with you via email; therefore, it is
imperative that the email address you provide when applying for this
vacancy remains active. Should your email address change, please notify
the point of contact identified in the vacancy announcement as soon as
possible so that we can update our system. Qualifications Applicants
must possess one of the following to qualify for the GS-11 level: * -One
year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the
Federal service that demonstrates accomplishment of paralegal duties
that require a range of knowledge of paralegal assistance principles,
concepts, policies and practices, particularly in the area of the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Examples of specialized experience
may include: reviewing FOIA requests to determine applicability of the
act; reviewing the content of records and documents to make
determinations of disclosure under FOIA ensuring sensitive information
is redacted as appropriate; drafting correspondence in response to FOIA
requests; following FOIA recordkeeping and reporting requirements;
noting and correcting case file deficiencies before sending the case on
to the concerned trial attorney; reviewing and analyzing available
precedents relevant to cases under consideration for use in presenting
case summaries to trial attorneys; gathering, sorting, classifying, and
interpreting data from private enterprise and labor organizations to
discover patterns of possible discriminatory activity; interviewing
industrial and union representatives, employees, and potential witnesses
to gather information; reviewing s and analyzing relevant workforce
statistics; performing statistical evaluations as supporting data for
case litigation; consulting with statistical experts on reliability of
statistical evaluations; and testifying in court concerning relevant
data. * -OR a Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study
pertinent to legal analysis work such as law; * -OR 3 full years of
progressively higher level graduate education leading to a graduate
degree in a field of study pertinent to legal analysis work such as law;
- -OR 1-year of combined graduate education and experience as defined.
Applicants must possess one of the following to qualify for the GS-12
level: - One year of specialized experience equal to the GS-11 level in
the Federal service that demonstrates accomplishment of paralegal duties
that require a range of knowledge of paralegal assistance principles,
concepts, policies and practices, particularly in the area of the
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Examples of specialized experience
may include: analyzing FOIA requests to determine applicability of the
act; conducting research and analysis of the content of records and
documents to make determination of disclosure under FOIA; composing a
variety of written correspondence (reports, information papers, fact
sheets, statistical summaries, emails) and maintaining a complete and
accurate case file of records responsive to individual FOIA requests in
responding to inquiries from a broad range of requesters; analyzing
potentially responsive FOIA databases and implements complex data
extraction techniques for information contained in various email,
databases and tracking systems; performing specialized legal research in
support of Attorney staff including research of legislative intent,
controversial judicial precedents, case law, law review articles, and
slip opinions, analyzing legal decisions; compiling substantive
information on legal subjects; collecting, analyzing, and evaluating
evidence in connection with contract and tort appeals, tort litigation
and appeals, personnel litigation; preparing a variety of substantive
legal documents to include various motions, appeal files, claim denials,
protest reports and litigation reports, and other legal actions
required; and providing a variety of litigation legal assistance and
technical work requiring a specialized knowledge of processes,
procedures, and practices to support legal activities. You must meet ALL
qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the
closing date of the announcement. Education * 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
completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be
used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable
documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received
in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more
information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit:
http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/quals/foreign.html . Additional information
- Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not
constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to
promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend
upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance
of higher-level duties. * Under Executive Order 11935, only United
States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains
Island) may compete for civil service jobs. Agencies are permitted to
hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no
qualified citizens available for the position. * The application
contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC
552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for
employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
- DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly
hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and
responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . * THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the
qualifications above. -Vacancy Related Questions: As part of the online
application process, you will need to respond to a series of questions
designed to assess your possession of the following knowledge skills,
abilities and/or competencies: Information Management; Customer Service;
Decisionmaking; Compile/Analyze data; Administrative Support. -Basis of
rating: Category rating will be used in the ranking and selection
process for this position. The quality categories are Best Qualified,
Well Qualified, and Qualified. You will be rated on the extent and
quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the
duties of the position. If you are eligible, your on-line responses to
the application questions will determine your placement in the
appropriate quality category described above. Your responses must be
substantiated by your resume. If you do not respond to the application
questions you may be rated ineligible. Veterans' preference rules for
category rating will be applied. -NOTE: If it is determined that you
have rated yourself higher than is supported in your description of
experience and/or education as described in your resume/application, or
that your resume or application is incomplete, you may be rated
ineligible, not qualified, or your score may be lowered. To preview
questions please click here . Background checks and security clearance
Security clearance Not Applicable * Required Documents Required
Documents * -If this position requires specific educational course work
to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education,
you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate,
graduate, etc.) or list of course work, which includes semester hours
earned and grade received, by the closing date of this announcement.
This proof may be faxed, document uploaded, or hand delivered to the
servicing Human Resources Office (see "Required Documents" and/or
"Contact Information"). Please ensure that all documentation is legible.
If you are currently employed by the Federal government in the same
occupational series as the advertised position, you are not required to
submit transcripts at this time. * -If you are claiming veterans'
preference you must submit a copy of your DD-214, Certificate of Release
or Discharge from Active Duty, by the closing date of this announcement.
If you are currently on active military duty, you must provide
documentation (e.g., campaign document, award citation, etc.), that
verifies entitlement to veterans preference and that your character of
military service is honorable. If you are claiming 10-point veterans'
preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must submit documentation
that supports your claim (e.g., an official statement from the
Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces
certifying the existence of a service-connected disability; or receipt
of a Purple Heart). If you fail to submit any of the required
documentation, you will not be granted veterans preference. Additional
information on veterans' preference can be found in the VetGuide . * -If
you are claiming CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, the Servicing Human Resources
Office must receive proof by the closing date of this announcement that
you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330 Subpart F for CTAP and 5 CFR 330
Subpart G for ICTAP or you will not receive priority consideration. This
includes a copy of the agency notice, your most recent Performance
Rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level,
and duty location. Required documents may be faxed, uploaded, or hand
delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see "Contact
Information"). If you are a CTAP or ICTAP eligible, you will be
considered well qualified if you earn a minimum score of 85 (prior to
the assignment of veteran's preference points). For more information on
CTAP/ICTAP please click here . If you are applying for this position
based on eligibility under a special appointing authority, the Servicing
Human Resources Office must receive proof of eligibility by the closing
date of this announcement. * -Required documents may be: 1) faxed to the
Agency Contact (see "Contact Information") 2) uploaded directly from
your desktop 3) uploaded directly from your USAJOBS stored attachments
- hand delivered to the servicing Human Resources Office (see 'Contact
Information'). - Auto-Requested Fax : allows you to submit required
documentation that will be electronically displayed along with your
resume. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification
requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be
credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance
and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions
recognized by the U.S. Department of Education . Failure to provide all
of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may
result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. *
Benefits Benefits A career with the U.S. Government provides employees
with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and
your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to
make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal
benefits . * Working for the DOI, Office of the Solicitor offers a
comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave ,
and holidays ; health, life, dental, vision, and long term care
insurance, flexible spending accounts , and participation in the Federal
Employees Retirement System . Review our benefits Eligibility for
benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your
position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring
agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
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