Paralegal Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is in Region 10, Office of Regional Counsel, General Law and FOIA Branch. About: Region 10.

This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following: 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level defined as providing legal support, researching, drafting, and preparing legal documents for review; and performing administrative duties.

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; the education must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position equivalent combination of education and experience NOTE: 1 year of full-time undergraduate study is 30 semester or 45 quarter hours.

1 year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study; if that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours is considered 1 year of full-time study.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as providing legal support, researching, writing, reviewing, and assisting with litigation under the application of environmental laws, regulations; and reviewing legal materials for judicial and administrative procedures.

You will be assessed on the following competencies: GS-11: Written Communication. Critical Thinking. Reading Comprehension. Attention to Detail. Teamwork. Manages and Organizes Information.

Customer Service. Clerical. Problem Solving. GS-12: Critical Thinking. Reading Comprehension. Written Communication. Attention to Detail. Manages and Organizes Information. Teamwork. Clerical.

Customer Service. Problem Solving.

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 have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience. Major Duties:

You will: Analyze and evaluate the relevance of particular technical evidence, draft briefs, litigation papers, or advisory opinions for review and approval, research on a variety of legal issues, coordinate enforcement actions, and review reported case law to enforce programs and activities of regulated industries.

Coordinate responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, use agency electronic systems for processing FOIA requests, use electronic discovery databases and IT tools, and organize and maintain files for cases to prepare and support attorneys and program staff and managers.

Assist with administrative processes and electronic systems, act as resource for administrative and professional staff, and plan and coordinate meetings to facilitate the program office.

When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses.

NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level.

One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position.

Grow your career for the good of our planet The environmental challenges we face today are urgent.

At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to continue our mission to protect human health and the environment.

Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world.

That's why there has never been a more crucial moment to further your career as one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators at EPA.

Grow your career. Make an impact. Be EPA. Learn more at epa.gov/careers.