Paralegal Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. ALJ-12752631-25-AE Department National Transportation Safety Board
Salary $84,601.00 to $109,975.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/3/2025 Close Date 7/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Serves as Paralegal Specialist in the Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ), performing a variety of legal duties in connection with functions such as hearings and advisory services in the OALJ, including assisting judges and attorneys in various legal areas by reviewing case materials as they are presented, performing legal research and preparing summaries of research of laws, regulations, and citations for review.


Duties

As a Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-11, you will perform the following major duties:

Performs legal research and analysis on a wide variety of significant legal issues to assist in the resolution of various actions or issues.

Prepares correspondence and summaries on complex legal subjects, drafts orders, subpoenas, and other legal instruments, for review and approval of the case manager and Administrative Law Judges (AJLS).

Analyzes cases, legal documents, policies, statutes, regulations, and other legal sources for precedential or analogous information and/or argument and composes written drafts for AJLS approval and finishing.

Schedules hearings and reserves courtroom space all over the country and arranging for court reporting services through the Board's court reporting contractor.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service
  • Resume and supporting documents (see "How to Apply" section.)
  • Suitability for Federal employment
  • Financial Interest in transportation enterprises will be evaluated on a case by case basis
  • Bargaining Unit Position: YES - Bargaining unit represented by NTSB-AFGE Local 2211.
  • Direct Deposit is required.
  • A probationary period may be required.
  • You may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-450, upon entering the position and annually.
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Paralegal Specialist position, you must meet one of the following minimum qualifications.

FOR THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL:

Specialized Experience: Applicants must have at least one year (12-months) or more of specialized work experience, equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, or equivalent experience in the private sector that includes: experience providing paralegal support for hearings and trials; drafting orders, subpoenas, and other legal instruments, for review and approval; conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports, based on policy, statutory authority and case law; reviewing and analyzing a variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, applying statutes and other legal precedents, selecting and compiling substantive information, recommending action/response. Interpreting federal statutes, regulations, and policies to make recommendations to case managers, attorneys, or judges.

-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, if related (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law) (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts for verification.)

-OR-
A combination of both specialized experience and education as explained below.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at the GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

http://https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0900/paralegal-specialist-series-0950/

NOTE: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your resume must clearly show the specialized experience and competencies related to this position. Failure to demonstrate how you possess the education, specialized experience and/or competencies will result in an "Ineligible" rating.

Shared Certificates: Applicants who apply under this job opportunity announcement agree to have their application, associated documents and applicable personal information shared with other Offices within the National Transportation Safety Board who have vacancies within the same occupational series, grade, full performance level and in the same geographic location(s), including within the same metro/commuting area. Applying to this announcement does not replace the need to apply to other job opportunity announcements for which you wish to receive consideration.

Education

EDUCATION

As stated in the qualifications section.

GENERAL EDUCATION: All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet these criteria, see https://www.ed.gov/accreditation?src=rn. Applications submitted without the required supporting documents will not be accepted. An unofficial transcript; statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official; or equivalent documentation is acceptable at the time of application. Education submitted must be appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at: http://www.ed.gov

FOREIGN EDUCATION: 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: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html

Additional information

  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and various benefits as well as work life amenities such as alternate work schedules, telework, flextime, fitness and transit benefits.
  • Moving expenses associated with permanent change of station (PCS) ARE NOT authorized for this position.
  • NTSB may authorize Recruitment Incentives currently offered by the Federal Government for highly qualified candidates who possess unique skills and abilities.
  • If you left Federal Employment and received a buy out and you are selected for this position, you may be required to repay the full amount of the payment.
  • 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) meet the basic qualification standards (including minimum educational and experience requirements; (3) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 90 and above on the rating criteria for this position; and, (4) submit the appropriate documentation ( to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp
  • Note: ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a "Notice of Personnel Action" (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
  • All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications .
  • Ad-hoc/situational telework as determined by the agency policy.
  • Multiple and subsequent vacancies may be filled from this announcement.
  • NTSB uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

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.

Applicants will be rated using the Category Rating System. Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the Screening Questions/Occupational Questionnaire for consistency. Applicants must first meet any mandatory education/licensure/certification requirements before experience is evaluated. Failure to meet any mandatory requirement as outlined in the qualifications section will disqualify you from further consideration. Based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training in relation to these competencies, you will be placed into one of the following three categories:

  • Highly Qualified - Applicants with a background that demonstrates a superior level of possession of all competencies.·
  • Well Qualified - Applicants with a background that demonstrates a satisfactory level of possession of the competencies.·
  • Qualified - Applicants possessing the specialized experience described above and any education or selective factor if also required.
The Category Rating Method does not add Veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three", but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Documented preference eligibles who meet minimum qualification/eligibility requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% will be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

We will review your resume and supporting documentation to determine your eligibility and qualifications. Experience must be clearly reflected in your resume. If mandatory education/licensure/certification requirements are met, your application will be further evaluated based on training, experience and other factors critical to successful job performance such as:

  • Customer Service
  • Legal, Government and Jurisprudence
  • Reasoning
  • Writing


If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience or your application may be removed from further consideration.

Required Documents

You are required to provide documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in your resume and assessment questionnaire. You must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities you select in the announcement questionnaire with your application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager. Cover letter is optional.

The following documents are required for a COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE:

  • A Complete Resume is required: Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week, and pay plan, series and grade level (e.g. GS-0201-09) for relevant federal experience. Please see OPM's video on Resume Writing Tips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YX7o1PBoFk
  • Responses to the questionnaire.
  • College transcripts (Unofficial or Official), if qualifying based on education or as a basic requirement.
  • DD-214 (member copy 4), SF-15 Form and VA letter, or certification of expected discharge or release from active duty from Veterans for consideration under Veteran hiring authorities.
  • Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program Documentation: (1) Proof of Eligibility; (2) Your latest performance rating showing a rating of at least "fully successful" (level 3); AND (3) Your most recent Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50), or equivalent personnel action, showing your tenure, position occupied, and duty station. For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp

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

  1. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete application package (see the required documents section).The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/15/2025.
  2. To begin the process, click the 'Apply' button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
  3. To view or print occupational questionnaire click here https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12752631.
  4. To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the More Information link under the application status for this position.
NOTE: If you cannot apply online, please send an e-mail which includes the vacancy announcement number, position title and the reason you are not able to apply on-line to recruitment@ntsb.gov at least 1 business day before the closing date.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Division
Address
Office of Administrative Law Judge
490 L'Enfant Plaza East SW
Washington, DC 20594
US

Next steps

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed in the announcement.


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


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