Paralegal Specialist Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel (OGC), Procurement Law Group Overview Open & closing dates 11/09/2018 to 12/03/2018 Service Competitive Pay scale & grade GS 9 Salary $56,233 to $73,105 per year Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-Time Location 1 vacancy in the following location: Washington DC, DC 1 vacancy Relocation expenses reimbursed No Telework eligible No This job is open to Internal to an agency Current federal employees of this agency. Clarification from the agency This position is for current, permanent VA Employees Only. Share Announcement number OGC-TM-19-VO10344869-BU Control number 516617000 Videos Duties Duties Summary Tour of Duty: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Position Description Title/PD#: Paralegal Specialist / PD#81520A Compressed/Flexible Schedules: Unauthorized Telework: Unauthorized Virtual Position: No This recruitment is for one position with the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs, Office of General Council, Procurement Law Group, located in Washington D. C . Who may apply: This position is for current permanent VA Employees. Responsibilities Paralegal Specialist/ PD#81520A Performs administrative and legal support to colleagues and supervisors on assigned work, and routinely provides direct legal services on case and/or program assignments. Participates in providing direct legal services to clients on case and/or program assignments. Under guidance, evaluates and makes final determinations or recommendations on the client requests, complaints, and claims, as authorized; evaluation is based on basic knowledge and application of the law, policies and practices applicable to the particular program assigned. Compiles and forwards the necessary correspondence advising of decision or recommendation and prepares documentation according to the program guidelines and other applicable authority. Anticipates program or case requirements. With guidance from Senior Specialists, develops legal arguments and supporting evidence, resolves conflicting statements, or searches for corroborating or contravening precedents. Assists Senior Specialists to conduct reoccurring legal and factual research and writing, as assigned, utilizing all applicable legal research tools available. Assists Senior Specialists to review complaints, claims, requests for legal advice and supporting documentation submitted, evaluate the submissions for legal sufficiency, respond with the requirements set forth in the applicable statues, regulations and policies, determine what steps to take to appropriately complete the task, and executing necessary actions to accomplish the same. Researches legislative history, as well as precedent cases, decisions and opinions relevant to assigned work. Prioritizes and manages assigned cases and program duties, in accordance with established deadlines and guidance provided by attorneys and/or supervisors. Provides a wide range of legal support and administrative services to support OGC management and operations. Performs other duties as assigned. Travel Required Not required Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 11 Job family (Series) Similar jobs Requirements Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a US citizen to apply for this job. Subject to a background/suitability investigation. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The subject position is primarily of an administrative nature in an office setting, however where travel to work sites is required there may be light physical work required, such as walking over uneven surfaces, or assisting technical personnel in taking measurements or elevations. Government travel for training, meetings, or customer interactions will be required in this position. Qualifications To qualify for this position , applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Time-in-grade: Applicants who are current Federal employees or who have held a GS grade anytime in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. Example: for a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07 level. Specialized Experience Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. (GS-09): Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Providing attorney and supervisor legal and administrative support in carrying out all VA litigation and program responsibilities. Providing direct legal services to clients on case and/or program assignments, handling assigned non-complex work, from start to finish or as otherwise assigned. Investigating and assists senior staff in determining specific data needed and the best approach to obtain the data. Managing case load, utilizing time and case management resources. Obtaining, analyzing, develops and applies relevant facts and law to assigned work. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR 2 full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D, if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable. Additional information on the qualification requirements are outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's website at . Education APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: 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 (particularly positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore, applicants must report attendance and/or degrees from only these schools. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following websites: and . Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. Additional information The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified, you must submit appropriate documentation and be found well-qualified (have a final rating of 85 or more before any Veterans preference points) for this vacancy. Information about CTAP and ICTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. "If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an ." MAILED/EMAILED APPLICATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. ANY APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED VIA MAIL/EMAIL WILL BE DESTROYED AND NOT RETURNED. How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. You will be rated on the following competencies based on your application for this position: Competency 1: Ability to develop and evaluate pertinent facts and information in connection with program management duties and/or case assignments. Competency 2: Ability to conduct legal research and analysis. Competency 3: Ability to communicate, verbally and in writing. Competency 4: Ability to utilize information technology systems. Competency 5: Ability to accomplish complex and multifaceted tasks with minimal oversight and guidance. Competency 6: Ability to network and interact with management officials and other professional contacts. Competency 7: Ability to handle electronically stored information, disclosure and discovery. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE . If your resume/application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). 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. If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include, but not limited to: Responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview. Background checks and security clearance Security clearance Drug test required No Required Documents Required Documents To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: The following documents are required: Your Résumé (Must include series, grade, step, starting and ending dates of employment, month and year, and hours worked per week, and salary information). If you are a current or former Federal employee , you must submit a copy of your last or most recent signed Notification of Personnel Action (SF50) showing your position, title, series, grade and eligibility. Applicants who fail to submit this form will be rated INELIGIBLE (SF-50 must be in PDF format; text format will not be accepted). Note: Your SF-50 must reflect the grade and step information equivalent to or greater than the grade lower than the position you are applying to. This may not always be your most recent SF-50. You may need to submit more than one SF-50 . To receive consideration as a Veteran you must provide legible copies of your DD-214, member 4 copy or another copy that shows all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.) or a statement of service signed by the commander or you will be deemed INELIGIBLE. Note: More than one DD-214 may be needed to show all dates of service. Performance Appraisal - This document is optional for all applicant Military Spouses must submit: Marriage Certificate. Copy of the sponsor's permanent change of station orders showing you as an authorized dependent or when the veteran is unemployed and is rated by appropriate military or Department of Veterans Affairs authorities to be 100 percent disabled and/or unemployable. Statement that spouse preference is requested for this vacancy and has not previously been used to obtain a position in the commuting area. Copy of unofficial transcripts. Must show name of college to determine accreditation. If qualifying based on degree, or for positions requiring a degree, the transcript must show date the degree was conferred. If selected, you must provide official transcripts. NOTE: Transcripts should state degree conferred, and have a date. Please use this to ensure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information. Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit . 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 . 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. . 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. How to Apply How to Apply All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/03/2018 To begin, click Apply Online to create a USA JOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, , select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Application page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete. Agency contact information VHA SERVICE CENTER Phone Email Address General Counsel - VHA 810 Vermont Ave, NW Washington, DC 20420 US Next steps Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made. You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. Fair & Transparent Fair & Transparent The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), 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. Reasonable Accommodation Policy Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when: An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job. An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace. An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events. You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about or Legal and regulatory guidance This job originated on . For the full announcement and to apply, visit . Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at will be considered.