Summary
This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the General Counsel, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
Current HHS Federal career or career conditional employees only, to include current HHS Federal employees with the following eligibilities: Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), 30% disabled veterans, veterans eligible for a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA) (for positions up to the GS-11 Federal level), Public Health Service (PHS) officers and candidates, and/or individuals with disabilities.
Duties
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY
As a Paralegal Specialist, you will use your knowledge of and experience with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) to optimize business results and customer experience by:
- Serving as an advisor to senior-level attorneys, paralegal specialists, and other support staff, performing work that entails legal research of Federal, and State codes, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Independently preparing written recommendations for approval of the reviewing attorney or branch chief; preparing comprehensive reports which serve as the basis for critical legislative regulatory, judicial, administrative, or other legal arguments, interpretations, or opinions.
- Managing a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods to analyze and synthesize intricate evidence.
- Performing research using computer research tools, as well as bound volumes and the internet.
- Serving as liaison between governmental and nongovernmental, OGC and private attorneys, law firms, insurance companies, healthcare providers, beneficiaries, and others concerning claims activities.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship required
- Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
- Suitable for federal employment
- Meet time in grade restrictions by the closing date of the announcement
- Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
- All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
- Probationary (or trial) period may be required.
- Current government employees and government contractors will be granted provisional suitability and will onboard in an expedited manner.
- Once on board, continued employment will be based on the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.
Qualifications
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Basic Qualifications: (if applicable)
Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service performing at least 3 of the following:
- Conducting extensive and thorough research in various legal and non-legal databases;
- Drafting pleadings, motions, orders, subpoenas, or other legal documents;
- Providing substantive assistance with depositions, hearings, and trials; applying communication techniques to effectively interact with internal and external customers;
- Conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing legal briefs, summaries of analyses, decisions, and prehearing documents.
Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.
Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.
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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.
OPM Qualification General Policies Website
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.
Review our 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.
Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.
In accordance with Executive Order 12564 of September 14, 1986, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is A Drug-Free Federal Workplace. The use of illegal drugs, on or off duty, by Federal employees is inconsistent not only with the law-abiding behavior expected of all citizens, but also with the special trust placed in such employees as servants of the public.
Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the application questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
For PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers: PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the commissioned Corps may apply online to this announcement. Candidates will be referred as CC personnel and not as candidates for conversion to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment.
For Competitive Merit Promotion and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) Applicants: The highest rated candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.
For Noncompetitive Applicants: All qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring agency.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
- Information Management
- Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
- Oral Communication
- Technology Application
- Written Communication
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12422416
Required Documents
Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:
- Your Resume: You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online resume builder to ensure that all required information is in your resume. You resume must clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align to the criteria defined in the qualifications section of this announcement and it must support your responses to the application questionnaire. For each position you must describe your duties, accomplishments, related skills, and responsibilities. Your resume must also include the day, month, and year that you began and ended for each position held. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise stated on your resume. Part-time employment will be prorated in crediting experience. Not providing this information may result in the lowering of your assessment score or an ineligible rating. For resume writing guidance, please visit the USAJobs Resource Center or view their video tutorial. For Most Effective Resumes Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes.
- A complete Application Questionnaire (https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12422416)
- SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) - documentation supporting eligibility. If submitting a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50), or equivalent, submit one that shows the effective date of your current position, the full performance level, career or career conditional tenure and status in the competitive service.
- Other required supporting documents.
Other Supporting Documents: (Only Submit if applicable to you.)
- College transcript (if qualifying all or in part based on your education)
- Veterans' Preference documentation:
- If you are claiming 5 point preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status; if claiming 10 point preference, an application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference.
- CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
- A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
- PHS Commissioned Corps (CC) Officers must provide a copy of your current personnel order or other supporting documentation to be referred as CC.
- Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/
- Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.)
For Résumé Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
For Application Tips visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqYkibnuiJU
For additional information about USAJOBS visit the Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
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 occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
*To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
*Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
*It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link, and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account at https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 06/24/2024.
Next steps
Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. The best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.
You will receive notice via email or by mail, if no email address was provided by you during the application process, once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks).
You will be required to submit official documentation prior to appointment. The agency will then verify the information provided on your application (i.e., degree, veterans' preference, disability, etc.).
HHS has a Critical Preparedness and Response Mission: we protect the American people from health threats, research emerging diseases, and mobilize public health programs with domestic and international partners. HHS' 24/7 Secretary's Operations Center (SOC) unites highly trained experts, well established processes, and state-of-the-art technology to coordinate resources and information as HHS responds to emergencies worldwide.
Every HHS employee has a role in supporting public health emergency management, whether through voluntary temporary assignments to emergency responses or sustaining other HHS programs and activities while colleagues respond.
In addition to their everyday work, HHS offers employees the opportunity to contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.
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