Requirements
Conditions of employment
- This is an "at-will" position.
- Excepted Service Position: This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: The selectee must have:
- A paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible paralegal or legal support experience.
Note: Experience in veterans benefits law and court operations or administration is beneficial but not required.
Skills:
- Proficiency in legal research, including use of online legal research databases and methods.
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally.
- Skill in organizing, tracking, and managing multiple assignments and deadlines.
- Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and provide support for multiple attorneys.
- Ability to perform duties and assignments independently.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic records systems.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a federal court, judicial branch, or government legal office.
- Familiarity with judicial ethics, ethics advisory functions, or administrative law.
- Experience supporting senior-level attorneys or executives.
Promotion Potential
This position may be filled at the CS-9 or CS-11 depending on the selectee's qualifications. If filled below the CS-11 level, the position may have promotion potential to CS-11 without further competition, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of work, and compliance with applicable Court policies.
Education
The selectee must have:
A paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible paralegal or legal support experience.
Additional information
Veterans Information: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to paralegal appointments in the excepted service; however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letters or resumes and attach supporting documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release, or Discharge from Active Duty) to their submissions.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Once your completed application package is received, we will conduct an evaluation.
Required Documents
You may apply by submitting the following documents:
- A resume, no more than two (2) pages;
- A cover letter explaining your interest;
- Educational qualification; and
- A completed OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment)
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.