Paralegal Specialist (Adjudications Clerk)

Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from current federal employees serving on a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service, former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, persons eligible under special hiring authorities including Schedule A and VEOA, and CTAP/ICTAP eligible candidates in the local commuting area.

This position is located within the Office of Proceedings (Proceedings) and serves as a Paralegal Specialist (Adjudications Clerk).

• Provide legal support to CFTC Administrative Judges (AJs) by managing adjudications dockets and case files, coordinating hearings, communicating with parties on procedural matters, and performing targeted legal research and drafting assignments.
• Maintain dockets for reparations, wage garnishment, statutory disqualification, and related adjudications assigned to AJs, from initial filing through final disposition, ensuring accurate entries and tracking of case milestones.
• Review complaints, answers, motions, and other filings for completeness, timeliness, and compliance with the Commission’s rules and Part 12 requirements, routing compliant filings to the appropriate AJ.
• Monitor deadlines for service, responsive pleadings, discovery, prehearing submissions, and hearings; prepare and issue routine notices regarding status, procedural requirements, and upcoming deadlines using established formats.
• Coordinate with the Division of Enforcement and other offices to incorporate necessary information into new adjudications and to ensure alignment with related enforcement matters when appropriate.
• Establish and maintain electronic and paper case files for each AJ matter, organizing pleadings, exhibits, orders, correspondence, and discovery materials.
• Conduct targeted legal and procedural research in support of AJs, including locating relevant sections of Part 12, the CEA, and prior Commission or AJ decisions.
• Verify accuracy and appropriate citation format of record and legal citations in orders and decisions by the AJs.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for parties and their representatives, including pro se litigants, providing information on filings logistics, scheduling, and procedural steps without offering legal advice.
• Coordinate logistics for in person and virtual hearings before the AJs, including scheduling dates, arranging court reporters, managing exhibits, and ensuring that notices of hearings and deadlines are properly prepared and served.
• Apply Commission and Office policies on records retention, privacy, and access; coordinate with records staff to archive or close files consistent with Federal Records Act and internal requirements.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship
• Background/Security Investigation
• May be required to serve a probationary/trial period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to time-in-grade requirements, if applicable

You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency (knowledge, skills and abilities) in the following areas:

·  Compliance

• Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring derivatives data for compliance with regulations and guidance.

·  Data Integrity

• Ability to analyze data and take corrective action when data is missing, incomplete, or inaccurate.

·  Oral/Written Communication

• Skill in expressing information to individuals or groups effectively, both orally and in writing; making clear and convincing presentations; listening and responding appropriately.

·  Mathematical Reasoning

• Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions. Solves practical problems using mathematical and statistical techniques.

Qualifications

For the GS-11
Specialized experience is defined as: For the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as:

• Managing adjudication dockets and case files across diverse proceedings, ensuring precise tracking of case milestones, meeting required deadlines, and following agency regulations and internal procedures.
• Conducting legal and procedural research to support administrative decision-makers, reviewing filings for completeness and timeliness, preparing clear summaries of findings, and verifying legal citations in orders and decisions.
• Coordinating logistics for both in-person and virtual proceedings.

OR

SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: 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.

OR

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: A combination of related graduate level education and specialized experience.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

• Resume showing all relevant and related experience (two pages max). If selected, your resume will be used to determine your initial pay setting decision;
• Cover letter (optional);
• Most recent performance appraisal (optional);
• SF-50 showing you meet time in grade requirements, if applicable; 
• Transcripts (unofficial final copy with date degree was awarded; unofficial copy is accepted for application package, but an official copy is required prior to firm offer letter being extended;
• Schedule A, Persons with Disabilities: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• If you want consideration under a Veteran’s hiring authority (VEOA, 30%+ disabled, etc.), submit your supporting documents: DD-214 (Member 4 preferred or any copy showing dates and character of service), VA letter, SF-15, and any other required proof. Active-duty members must provide an official statement of service from their command.
• Other Special Hiring Authorities: If you are claiming eligibility under a Special Hiring Authority, you must submit supporting documents to receive consideration.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): The ICTAP provides eligible displaced federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy.  To be well qualified, you must score 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application to receive selection priority. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at:
http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.ICTAP

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP). Provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the CFTC with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If CFTC has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must rate equivalent to the Well Qualified or better category using established rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/ctap/index.asp.

ICTAP/CTAP Candidates MUST submit:
1. A copy of their agency reduction-in-force notice;
2. A copy of your most recent Performance Rating;
3. A copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current or last position held, the grade level, and the duty location; and
4. A copy of your notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside the local
commuting area or documentation showing you were separated as a result of RIF or declining a directed reassignment or
transfer of function outside the local commuting area.

These links provide information on eligibilities for various hiring authorities:

1. VEOA

2. 30% or more disabled veteran

3. Individuals with disabilities

4. CTAP

5. ICTAP

6. Military Spouse

7. Special Authorities

8. Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

9. Former Federal Employees

Next steps