Summary
This position is located in the Joint Force Headquarters, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate at Camp Mabry in Austin, TX. The primary purpose of this position is for Paralegal support within the state/territory Staff Judge Advocate's Office providing ancillary legal research and analysis. Manages the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Preventative Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) programs in the state/territory.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
CAT 1 - Open to Public (Nationwide)
Duties
As a Paralegal Specialist (TITLE 5) with the Texas National Guard, your duties will include, but will not be limited to:
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- Provides ancillary legal work to the state/territory SJA and other assigned Texas National Guard attorneys servicing the state/territory National Guard's case load. Conducts legal research of Federal and state/territory code, regulations, policies, procedures, case law, legal and administrative decisions and opinions, etc., and summarizes findings to aide staff attorneys in case or project resolution. Performs research on a variety of legal subjects. Composes, prepares, and ensures accuracy of various legal or legislative documents.
- Provides research, analysis, guidance, and support to administer courts-martial, non-judicial punishment, administrative boards and other legal actions and administrative processes. Reviews procedures, timing criteria and documents relative to the administration of justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and associated state/territory code. transcript files and exhibits.
- Supports the state/territory Alternative Dispute Resolution program. Advises 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.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for claims. Accepts complaint, summons, documents, or inquiries; identifies the type or purpose; screens for completeness; and identifies the action to be performed. Serves as a point of contact for ethical determinations. Screens requests for ethics opinions and gathers the applicable facts. Analyzes the specifics of each situation.
- Provides legal assistance by receiving requests for routine or emergency legal assistance. Exercises judgment in screening and determining those that can be personally serviced or require referral to an attorney or another provider. These issues include, but are not limited to, preparation of powers-of-attorney and wills; notary services; legal review of correspondence or documentation; information on legal rights, benefits, privileges, or obligations; explaining pertinent legal provisions, regulations, and related administrative practices; and their application to specific cases or questions; claims, voting requirements, loan contracts, motor vehicle registrations, titles, transfers, and releases; etc.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
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- Provides ancillary legal work to state/territory SJA and other assigned Texas National Guard attorneys servicing the state/territory National Guard's case load. Conducts legal research of Federal and state/territory code, regulations, policies, procedures, case law, legal and administrative decisions and opinions, etc., and summarizes findings to aide staff attorneys in case or project resolution. Research is performed on a variety of legal subjects. Interviews clients and potential witnesses; collects and organizes pertinent factual and research material to build case files; and prepares and organizes exhibits. Composes, prepares, and ensures accuracy of various legal or legislative documents. Drafts and edits non-legal memoranda, research reports and correspondence relating to cases. Maintains case files and identifies and corrects file deficiencies or discrepancies.
- Provides research, analysis, guidance, and support to administer courts-martial, non-judicial punishment, administrative boards and other legal actions and administrative processes.
- Manages the Preventative Law Program. Facilitates legal training for unit readiness non-commissioned officers and Directorate of Manpower and 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.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for claims. Accepts complaint, summons, documents, or inquiries; identifies the type or purpose; screens for completeness; and identifies the action to be performed. As required by the action, performs preliminary investigation and gathers pertinent information, research legal and factual issues, interviews claimant, involved parties and potential witnesses and builds case files, and recommends disposition of claim.
- Reviews changes in regulations on the Freedom of Information Act and updates and advises other legal personnel and field staff of changes. Consults and assists in formulation of NGB regulations regarding the release of information. Reviews Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Appointment Factor(s): This is a Title 5 Excepted Service position.
Remarks:
- This is an indefinite excepted position; acceptance of an excepted position constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. Indefinite appointments are used when there is a need for a temporary position to extend beyond one year or management expects the position to become permanent at some time in the future. Competitive procedures must be used when filling a position on an indefinite basis.
- This is a developmental position.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance within 12 months of appointment.
- May occasionally be required to work other than normal duty hours; overtime may be required.
- This position is designated as Essential Personnel and may be subject to duty in preparation for, or in response to, a state emergency or disaster declaration. This designation will not exceed 14 calendar days per year unless otherwise approved in advance by the TAG."
- Direct deposit is mandatory.
Qualifications
In describing your experience in your resume, please be clear and specific. Assumptions regarding your experience will not be made.
Specialized Experience:
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1-year specialized experience, education, or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) 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.
OR
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.
Specialized Experience:
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1-year specialized experience, education, or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the formal and 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 and coordinate actions with other federal agencies or state and local jurisdictions that have closely related responsibilities.
OR
Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M.
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%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
(You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
Only experience/education gained by closing date of this position will be considered.
Education
If using education to meet minimum qualifications you MUST upload a copy of your transcripts.
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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
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Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
or
3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree
or
LL.M., if related
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
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Analysis and Research, Attention to Detail, Communications, Problem Solving, and Reasoning
The resume/documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of "not qualified" or "insufficient information" and you will not receive further consideration for this job. Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment. APPRAISALS/AWARDS: Hiring Managers use objective methods and consider previous performance appraisals and awards in the selection process. Current Federal Civilian employees should list any relevant performance related rating and/or awards in your resume. BASIS OF RATING: The assessments for this job will also measure
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) as listed under Qualifications are based on the extent to which the quality, depth, and complexity of your experience and education relate to the qualification requirements.
Your application will be rated in the appropriate numeric value group and ranked according to preference eligibility and non-preference eligibility. Veterans' preference points, as prescribed, are added to each veteran applicant's final numeric value score. All qualified preference eligibles are placed ahead of non-preference eligibles Veteran's Preference is considered where applicable. Highly Qualified Group ranges from 90-100 points: Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements Well Qualified Group ranges from 80-89 points: Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements. Qualified Group ranges from 70-79 points: Candidates in this category meet the minimum education and/or experience requirements. To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume must include the following for related positions held:
- Work schedule (ex. Full-time, part-time, intermittent)
- Hours worked per week
- To and From dates (ex. MM/YYYY - MM/YYYY)
- Duties performed - In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. Assumptions will not be made regarding your experience
2. Other supporting documents, if applicable: - Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (VA)
- OF-306
- Other (1)
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Veterans Information:
Veterans' preference must be validated by formal submissions including all necessary supporting documentation. Acceptable documentation may be:
1. A copy of your DD-214 Member-4 Copy, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions.
2. A "certification" that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed.
3. You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or visiting their website.
4. If claiming 10-point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form, SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference".You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online.
Click the following link to determine your eligibility for Veterans' Preference. https:// webapps.dol.gov/elaws/vets/vetpref/mservice.htm
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application/Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. To view the Occupational Questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12417361
A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.
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