Paralegal Specialist with Security Clearance

Duties Serves as principal paralegal specialist for the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA), who has worldwide responsibilities for legal and policy guidance on ALCOM, Alaskan NORAD Region and 11 AF missions. Manages financial resources of the office, including the tracking/suspense system for all actions processed by the office (both formally and informally received) and the file/data management system. Manages administrative work in support of the Office of the SJA. Provides a full range of computerized data processing support for the office, ensuring that word processing, database information, local area network, and other computer systems are maintained and operated in accordance with Command standards and guidelines. Requirements Conditions of Employment U.S. Citizenship Required Males must be registered for Selective Service, see A Secret security clearance will be required. This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program During crisis operations, employee may be required to work 12-hour shifts in support of ALCOM missions. Disclosure of Political Appointments Eligible for a Cost-of-Living-Allowance (COLA) which is subject to change without notice Qualifications 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 and Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-09, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes: (1) Extensive knowledge of the processing of a wide variety of civil law cases and knowledge of legal and technical terminology necessary to analyzing source data used in statistical reports. (2) Comprehensive knowledge of Federal and state statutes and judicial opinions, as well as knowledge of regulations and policy guidance from the Department of Defense (DoD). (3) Knowledge of correct assembly of files regarding requests for information and other commonly processed DoD criminal and civil law cases. (4) Expertise at editing complex legal opinions and memoranda for technical correctness, verbal precision, and ease of reading, as well as skill at identifying legal issues of sufficient importance requiring dissemination to the field. OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or LL.M., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. OR Combination of Education and Experience: 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-09 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 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/Legal Counsel to perform and manage the paralegal and administrative work of the organization to include effective communication and the use of various multimedia programs to execute office support. 2. Knowledge of legal principles and concepts to interpret and apply directives, precedents, and practices in the areas of operational law, international law, administrative law, and military justice. 3. Comprehensive knowledge of paralegal duties relating to the areas of national defense, defense support of civil authorities, and federal, state and local crisis response authorities and responsibilities. 4. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and practices governing international agreements, coalition Rules of Engagement, and operational aspects of joint and bi-national commands. 5. Knowledge of the budget process; military and civilian manpower systems, recognition programs, motivational environment and problem-solving; and the ability to maintain good working relationships. 6. Ability to conduct electronic and manual legal research; analyze and interpret information to determine applicability of precedents and to apply rules, regulations, and procedures in a variety of situations; and to recommend timely, accurate and economical solutions. 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. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information. Current Federal Civilian employees may apply for temporary and term positions and if selected, a break in service may be required prior to appointment to the position. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Priority Placement Program (PPP) Applicant Eligible: PPP Applicants, if determined well qualified and selected, will be placed at the at the full performance level. You must include the applicable completed copy of the PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility as a PPP Applicant. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist (DD3145-1 through DD3145-4, select the appropriate checklist for your claimed preference). To determine the applicable PPP Self-Certification Checklist required to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming, refer to the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide located in the Required Documents section of this vacancy announcement. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here . Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 - the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017" suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information. Benefits Help 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. Opens in a new window