Paralegal Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. DE-12559777-24-Comm Department Federal Trade Commission
Salary $55,924.00 to $72,703.00 Grade 7 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/7/2024 Close Date 10/21/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

If you are seeking an opportunity to become familiar with the legal, economic and operational methodology used by attorneys and professional staff in the Federal Trade Commission during the course of various investigations and litigation and want to play an integral role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining one of the various Bureaus or Offices at the Federal Trade Commission! For more information visit, www.ftc.gov.

Duties

If you are selected for this position you will perform any of the following duties:

  • Performs research using section or attorney files, library references files, corporate records, private and governmental studies, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources, to supply factual information for inclusion in memoranda, briefs, and similar documents. Uses electronic databases to assist in factual and/or legal research; encodes substantive case materials; retrieves and analyzes materials through data searches.
  • Writes and/or edits interview reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, citations, etc., discovered during the course of research.
  • Prepares table of contents, indexes and table of authorities for legal briefs, memoranda, and other such documents; reviews and researches citations, footnotes, textual references and other entries for accuracy.
  • Digests substantive materials or transcripts of testimony from investigational hearings and/or depositions; indexes documents in accordance with legal categories determined by the attorney to whom assigned.
  • Assists attorneys in conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses to gather information useful in assessing the impact of regulations on industries;
  • Organizes, maintains and/or archives files (interrogatories, document requests, requests for admission, objections, motions, affidavits, general correspondence, exhibits, etc.) for case team members throughout the course of an investigation or litigation; Tracks materials to be used as exhibits in administrative proceedings and federal court trials.
  • Coordinates various support services as required by attorneys assigned to a case (i.e. requesting court reporters, shipping materials, coordinating with litigation support, etc.).
  • Assists in court proceedings, traveling to trial site (when necessary), investigational hearings, depositions, etc., in support of attorneys and case team during the course of investigation and/or litigation.
  • Performs research using library references, corporate records, government policy, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources and collects and analyzes agency data to supply factual information to agency leadership, aids in the drafting of new policy, and informs through memoranda, briefs, and other documents.
  • Drafts/edits weekly report to the Executive Director/Chairman; creates and manages dashboards.
  • Plans and attends agency-wide and office training events; learns about risk management strategies and resources and uses various tool sets to resolve risk-related issues.
  • Helps to lead various projects, teams and working groups; aids in modernization projects ranging from web design and facilities to IT; creates spreadsheets and gives presentations; schedules appointments for agency leadership and assists with other administrative tasks.
  • Coordinates various support services or projects in collaboration with bureaus and offices across the agency, to include the Chairman's office and the Commissioner offices.
  • Drafts and/or edits reports, memos, policies, announcements and other communications
  • Writes and/or edits briefing reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, and citations discovered during the course of research; assists in responding to recommendations made by the Office of the Inspector General; takes minutes of meetings.
  • Drafts and/or edits weekly reports; creates and manages dashboards.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
  • Position is subject to a background investigation.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
  • You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
  • Résumé and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • This position is in the bargaining unit.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Paralegal Specialist at the GS-07 level, you must meet the following requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: such experience may include assisting in investigation and/or litigation; conducting legal and relevant industry research; database development and use; review and analysis of documents and data during the discovery process; interviewing investigational sources; producing written and oral reports based on interviews, research and data analysis.

OR

Have 1 full year of graduate education.

OR

Have Superior Academic Achievement S A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. 1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. 2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

OR

Have equivalent combinations of graduate education and experience.

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.

Education

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: VETERANS GUIDE

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see SELECTIVE SERVICE).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: CAREER TRANSITION.

Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:

For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

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.

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. 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 when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category.

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Computer Skills, Database Management Systems, Manages and Organizes Information, Oral Communication, and Writing



To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12559777.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education. NOTE: Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.
- DD-214, SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities
- Noncompetitive appointment authority documentation, if applicable
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation, if applicable (e.g. Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)

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 and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

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 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/.

Agency contact information

Corrie Brown
Address
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite H-723
Washington, DC 20580
US
Learn more about this agency

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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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