Paralegal Specialist

This Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) position is within the Office of General Counsel (OGC), DeCA. The General Counsel of the Department of Defense is dual hatted as the Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA) Director; DLSA provides a full range of legal advice and services to officials of the Defense Agencies and the DoD Field Activities. DeCA is a Defense Agency responsible for operating military commissaries worldwide.

In accordance with the Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-cler.asp.applications To qualify at the GS-09 grade level: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience must be at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Specialized experience include: Performing data searches, with specific parameters, using automated data bases to determine the status of ongoing actions or cases. Providing administrative support to higher graded specialists preparing for various, complex investigations, administrative hearings, court proceedings and arbitrations. Reviewing legal material and providing facts, summations, and other pertinent information to aid in interviewing witnesses and pertinent document collection. Assisting in researching relevant facts, supportive legal standards and case law. Establishing, coordinating, maintaining, and closing litigation and other files. Assuring proper assembly of case and other files. Filing motions and pleadings. OR (b) A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/) and in an appropriate field of study as described elsewhere in this announcement. OR (c) A combination of experience and education equaling 100% of the qualifications To qualify at the GS-11 grade level Experience - One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience include: Searching, analyzing and actively using online data and public filings, processing systems and other records maintained by government entities throughout the country to determine the status of various litigation and other matters. Assisting in the evaluation, development and litigation of EEO, personnel, labor, and contract cases for clients. Participate in court and administrative hearings on employee complaints, appeals, protests, investigations and arbitrations, depending on specific assignment. Investigating, gathering, classifying, interpreting and summarizing the factual situation, including any necessary statistical data which involves interviewing witnesses, collecting documents and statements, and compiling case files. Researching independently and briefing assigned attorney(s) with relevant facts, supportive legal standards and case law. Establishing, coordinating, maintaining, and closing of litigation and other files. Filing motions and pleadings. OR (b) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/) and in an appropriate field of study as described elsewhere in this announcement. OR (c) A combination of experience and education equaling 100% of the qualifications You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Additional Requirements that must be met by the closing date: Physical requirements: Work is sedentary and the incumbent usually sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some physical activity such as walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers and books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Time-in-grade applies to the promotion of current and former federal employees who hold or have held a permanent GS position in either the competitive or excepted service in the previous 52 weeks, including current employees applying under VEOA. Your application package must contain proof you meet this requirement. See Required Documents for more information. For GS-9: You must have 52 weeks of Federal service at or equivalent to GS-7. For GS-11: You must have 52 weeks of Federal service at or equivalent to GS-9. Time after competitive appointment. Current federal civilian employees must have completed at least 90 days of federal civilian service since being selected for a non temporary appointment from a competitive examination register of eligibles (an announcement opened to the public) or under a direct hire authority. As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate your level of experience in these competencies: Communications Legal, Government and Jurisprudence Minimum Qualifications- GS 9 Minimum Qualifications GS-11 Reasoning Overtime: Occasional Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit Status: Not Covered Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Work environment: Work involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical offices and meeting rooms. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated Telework eligible: Yes - as determined by the agency policy Remote work eligible: No