PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

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 basic legal principles and concepts to 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; and (3) Knowledge of legal terminology, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and required legal formats to produce legal documents and communications. 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., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your 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 your 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 rules, procedures, policies, and programs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to perform the procedural and administrative work of the organization such as preparing and editing legal documents and administrative correspondence, maintaining files and records, and assembling information for various legal documents and reports; and knowledge of legal services and terminology in the area of civil law, military justice, legal assistance, and legal research techniques. 2. Knowledge and understanding of guidelines, precedent case actions, and legal research techniques which enables the incumbent to assist the legal staff in locating and identifying precedent cases, legal citations, and statutory references. 3. Knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and required legal forms and directives regarding preparation of written communications to produce legal and administrative documents and communications. 4. Knowledge of office functions and various office automation software programs, tools, and techniques to support office operations. ie: screen telephone calls and visitors, prepare and review correspondence, and produce a variety of documents such as letters, reports, spreadsheets, databases, and graphs. 5. Skill and ability to advise commanders, First Sergeants and supervisors of appropriate administrative actions and processes. 6. Ability to communicate effectively orally and written to provide training and guidance to a diverse group of individuals. 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.
Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide comprehensive and essential legal support for the 377th Air Base Wing and Kirtland Air Force Base tenant units; advocate to preserve command prerogatives, administer military justice, and civil law programs, and advise leaders and other personnel on the law, and recruit, train and equip quality personnel.