PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

The primary purpose of this position is to provide paralegal support at the professional level to the 354th Fighter Wing, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.

The position requires application of legal and administrative knowledge in performing responsible and technical assignments in support of attorneys.

Critical support consists of legal research, legal document preparation, tax assistance and state notarial services for eligible clients, including high ranking officials of all services.

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes 1) Knowledge of legal principles, concepts, legal research methods, and data analysis techniques to perform independently recurring assignments which are typically covered by established precedents and interpret and apply, or explain to others the application of, a body of law, regulations, precedents, and practices covering one or more recurring types of legal actions encountered in the agency.

2) Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources such as agency manuals, directives, issuances, court reports, appellate records, or commercial legal publications sufficient to locate appropriate data such as applicable precedents, legislative history, and commentaries which bear on particular legal issues.

OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. or LL.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.

NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts.

FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time--in-grade requirements to be considered eligible.

One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks.

NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1.

Knowledge of Federal and State law, Military administrative law, Legal procedures and the Government Standards of Conduct. 2. Skill to analyze, research and draw meaningful conclusions. 3.

Skill in oral and written communication. 4. Ability to prepare correspondence in proper format with supporting authority and documentation and to prepare legal opinions with attorney guidance.

Ability to prepare and brief presentations. 5. Ability to speak and deal with a wide variety of people. To work effectively and independently as a member of the team. 6.

Ability to learn and proficiently use a variety of online databases that support the duties of the position, including but not limited to Word, Excel, FLITE, Westlaw and WebLIONS.

Ability to maintain and manage filing and suspense systems. 7. Ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems on computer terminals and to determine the best method to correct the issue.

Ability to administer use of the local area network and resolve local area network connectivity problems.

PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work.

You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

Attorney Support (Civil Law Division). Researches legal authority and factual circumstances to prepare correspondence, legal memoranda and other legal documents.

Assist with potential litigation support.

Reviews, research and prepares written legal opinions for Line of Duty Determinations, Reports of Survey, off-duty employment requests, requests for reimbursement of real estate costs, requests to conduct fundraising events and commercial sponsorship Legal Assistance and Preventive Law Support.

Independently interviews, interprets needs and drafts a variety of powers of attorney for clients, as well as acts as notary for same.

Manages the scheduling and policy issues of ensuring premium customer service as expected by the client base of this installation. Tax Assistance.

In coordination with the 354 FW/JA Chief of Legal Assistance, supports a year-round tax program.

May prepare individual Federal and State income tax returns, supporting documentation and correspondence with tax authorities for all eligible personnel as described above.

Performs Administrative Support and various administrative duties in support of the 354 FW/JA.

Prepares and maintains office files and records in accordance with established instructions, including electronic filing of correspondence, records and reports.