PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

Full Job Description

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The primary purpose of this position is: Support the 17th Training Wing Office of the Staff Judge Advocate(SJA) as a Paralegal Specialist by managing the administrative discharge program, serving as the victim-witness assistance program (VWAP) coordinator, and providing services to the installation's legal assistance program.

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, GS 0950 series.

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 practical knowledge of basic legal principles and concepts to interpret and apply 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.

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 legal issues.

Knowledge of legal techniques and skills necessary to analyze both issues of fact and issues of law to prepare digests of case decisions, evaluate the applicability of precedents, or to draft briefs, other litigation papers, advisory opinions, or findings.

Knowledge of formal or informal rules of evidence and skill necessary to evaluate the adequacy and/or admissibility of evidence, to request additional data or further investigation, when needed, or to develop narrative or graphic exhibits to support specified legal arguments.

OR EDUCATION: I have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D.

in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit copies of your college transcripts.

OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: I have less than the full amount of specialized experience described in the job opportunity announcement; however, and I have at least one year of progressively higher-level graduate education but have not obtained a master's or equivalent graduate degree.

Therefore, I have a combination of experience and education. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your college 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 Word for Windows, Excel, and PowerPoint software. 2.

Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, prepare and review correspondence, and perform other administrative work of the organization. 3.

Knowledge of the normal formats, forms, policies, and common legal and medical terminology used in the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, and other documents provided through the legal assistance program.

4.

Skill in logic and interpersonal skills to conduct interviews, recognize, explore, and exploit leads, detect discrepancies in information, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, and analyze, interpret and evaluate information.

5. Ability to interpret and apply regulatory and procedural requirements to process unusually difficult and complicated transactions and issues. 6.

Ability to independently perform legal research utilizing electronic methods and traditional methods. Ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.??????? 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:

Processes board entitled and non-board entitled administrative discharges and other adverse actions.

Oversees, manages, coordinates, processes, and reports all activity of the Victim and Witness Assistance Program (VWAP).

Provides assistance to the legal assistance program as needed or other duties in support of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Provides front desk duties as required for legal assistance services.