Paralegal Specialist

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position you must meet one of the following below for the grade to which you are applying. GS-09 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-09, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Experience in Real Estate, Probate, and/or Federal Indian Law reviewing case materials, searching for and summarizing relevant articles in magazines, law reviews, published studies, reports, and/or similar materials for use of attorneys in the preparation of opinions, briefs, and other legal documents. 2. Experience in Real Estate, Probate, and/or Federal Indian Law reviewing and collecting documentary evidence and arranging case files for use in a variety of legal proceedings. 3. Experience in Real Estate, Probate, and/or Federal Indian Law monitoring the progress of pending cases and initiating action to ensure that legal pleadings, forms, reports, correspondences, and/or other documents are prepared and submitted within established timelines. MUST MEET 2 of 3. -OR- Education: 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., related to the position. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A qualifying combination of post baccalaureate education and specialized experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. GS-11 Specialized Experience: To qualify for the GS-11, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: 1. Experience in Real Estate, Probate, and/or Federal Indian Law reviewing case materials, searching for and summarizing relevant articles in magazines, law reviews, published studies, reports, and/or similar materials for use of attorneys in the preparation of opinions, briefs, and other legal documents; AND 2. Experience in Real Estate, Probate, and/or Federal Indian Law reviewing and collecting documentary evidence and arranging case files for use in a variety of legal proceedings; AND 3. Experience in Real Estate, Probate, and/or Federal Indian Law monitoring the progress of pending cases and initiating action to ensure that legal pleadings, forms, reports, correspondences, and/or other documents are prepared and submitted within established timelines. MUST MEET ALL. -OR- Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., related to the position. -OR- Combination of Education and Experience: A qualifying combination of post baccalaureate education and specialized experience that meets 100% of the qualification requirements for this position. 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. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM’s website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative advice and counsel, our Office performs the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior, and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than five hundred total employees, more than four hundred of which are licensed attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Departments diverse and wide-ranging mission.