
PARALEGAL SPECIALIST - TITLE 32
As a Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-09, you will:
Provide ancillary legal work to the state/territory SJA and other assigned Army National Guard (ARNG) and Air National Guard (ANG) attorneys servicing the state/territory National Guard's case load. Conduct legal research of Federal and state/territory code, regulations, policies, procedures, case law, legal and administrative decisions and opinions, etc., and summarize findings to aide staff attorneys in case or project resolution. Perform research on a variety of legal subjects which may include, but are not limited to: Federal and state/territory code, and legislative proposals; military justice and status issues for Title 10 and Title 32 members; claims; labor relations; equal opportunity; administrative actions; contractual agreements; ethics; environmental concerns; law enforcement; bankruptcy; taxation; legal assistance; and a wide variety of miscellaneous legal issues. Interview clients and potential witnesses; collect and organize pertinent factual and research material to build case files; and prepare or organize exhibits. Compose, prepare, and ensure accuracy of various legal or legislative documents. Draft and edit non-legal memoranda, research reports and correspondence relating to cases. Maintain case files and identify and corrects file deficiencies or discrepancies.
Provide research, analysis, guidance, and support to administer courts-martial, non-judicial punishment, administrative boards and other legal actions and administrative processes. Review procedures, timing criteria and documents relative to the administration of justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and associated state/territory code. Perform research to identify factual and legal issues to uncover relevant information for summaries of precedent cases, interviews, testimony, depositions, and related case material for use by the attorneys. Perform research and preparation of notes and memoranda regarding allegations and possible charges, maintain logs and files, and files motions. Prepare and file charge sheets, disposition sheets, and other records. Maintain transcript files and exhibits. Provide assistance to serviced units concerning the administrative preparation, coordination, and implementation of documents regarding military justice.
Implement the Preventative Law Program. Facilitate legal training for unit readiness non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and Directorate of Manpower and Personnel (J1) personnel, or others by request, on a variety of topics including but not limited to: the military justice system (both Federal and state/territory), inquiries and investigations, unlawful command influence, adverse administrative actions, administrative separations, the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, urinalysis testing and other issues affecting traditional guard members and NG full-time employees.
Support the state/territory Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. Advise senior leaders and organizational managers on the suitability of various disputes for resolution through the use of ADR methodologies by promoting program awareness, as well as planning for and providing timely advice or support needed to employ ADR program interventions. Work to implement the most appropriate form of ADR that both meets and is able to address the needs of the disputants. Analyze the qualifications, experience, training and subject matter expertise of neutrals and recommends the selection of specific one. Work with managers, supervisors, and employees to prevent and resolve problems and to build constructive relationships in the work environment. Identify needed resources and tracks services provided.
Serve as the primary point of contact for claims. Accept complaint, summons, documents, or inquiries; identify the type or purpose; screen for completeness; and identify the action to be performed. As required by the action, perform preliminary investigation and gather pertinent information, research legal and factual issues, interview claimant, involved parties and potential witnesses and builds case files. Provide the case file to a higher graded employee for final recommendation and/or decision regarding the disposition of claim.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED.
- This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
- Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
- Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
- This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
- Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
- Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
- The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment.
- You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.
Qualifications
Compatible Military Assignments: Unspecified.
General Experience: Experience, education or training that demonstrates the ability to analyze the legal impact of legislative developments and administrate and judicial decisions, opinions, rulings and determinations on agency programs; conduct research for the preparation of legal opinions on matters of interest to the agency.
Specialized Experience: Must have at least 24 months experience, education or training of applying the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources such as agency manuals and directives. Experience applying the techniques and skills necessary to analyze both issues of fact and issues of law in order to prepare digests of case decisions, evaluate the applicability of precedents, or to draft briefs, other litigation papers, advisory opinions, or findings.
Education
If you are using Education to qualify for this position: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university, meets the GS-5 level requirements.
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
Additional information
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency ().
- 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.
Conditions of Employment
- NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED.
- This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard, required prior to the effective date of placement.
- Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform.
- Acceptance of an excepted service position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment.
- Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
- Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation.
- May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
- Participation in direct deposit is mandatory.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position.
- This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position.
- Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission.
- Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day.
- The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment.
- You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission.
Qualifications
Compatible Military Assignments: Unspecified.
General Experience: Experience, education or training that demonstrates the ability to analyze the legal impact of legislative developments and administrate and judicial decisions, opinions, rulings and determinations on agency programs; conduct research for the preparation of legal opinions on matters of interest to the agency.
Specialized Experience: Must have at least 24 months experience, education or training of applying the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources such as agency manuals and directives. Experience applying the techniques and skills necessary to analyze both issues of fact and issues of law in order to prepare digests of case decisions, evaluate the applicability of precedents, or to draft briefs, other litigation papers, advisory opinions, or findings.
Education
If you are using Education to qualify for this position: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university, meets the GS-5 level requirements.
You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your Educational claims. To receive credit for Education, you must provide documentation of proof that you meet the Education requirements for this position.
Additional information
If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency ().