Paralegal Specialist - Direct Hire Authority Job in Edwards AFB, CA

Vacancy No. AFTC-12655310-JDH-FLYER Department Air Force Materiel Command
Salary $43,646.00 to $104,016.00 Grade 2 to 2
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Part-time
Open Date 12/27/2024 Close Date 1/10/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Edwards AFB, CA


Summary

To find additional information on "What Is DHA" and to view and/or apply to current DHA opportunities listed on Air Force Civilian Service's "Direct Hire Job Board", please click here.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as a paralegal specialist and program manager.

Duties

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  • Supports management and oversight of courts-martial through the entire case life-cycle. Completes examination of all court-martial records of trial under AFTC
    jurisdiction for legal sufficiency and administrative compliance, and prepares those courts-martial records for forwarding to the Air Force Military Justice Division for
    appellate review. Reviews and ensures case files are legally sufficient for technical accuracy of charges, pleas, findings of the court, sentence and suspension actions, and
    initiates required procedures to prepare these documents or correspondence as necessary. Notes and corrects case file deficiencies, for example missing documents,
    inconsistencies, citations, appropriate precedents, etc. Ensures records of trial are properly closed out in appropriate databases. Trains and provides technical guidance to
    military justice personnel preparing legal documents. Serves as a focal point for administrative matters dealing with the appellate review process of AFTC. Reviews records involving a punitive discharge or confinement for one year or more to ensure they are in compliance with the mandates of Articles 66, 67, and 69, Uniform Code of Military Justice. Upon completion of confinement, ensures prisoners are placed on excess leave by preparing required Voluntary/Involuntary Excess Leave documentation. Directs subordinate bases to affect the excess leave and monitors until final order is published. Drafts and prepares in final form correspondence to a convicted member to include forwarding decisions of The Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals and The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
  • Assists the Chief, Military Justice and Staff, as required. Reviews and analyzes Records of Non-Judicial Punishment (Article 15s) for legal sufficiency. Analyzes and
    evaluates punishment to ensure that it is not excessive by virtue of such things as the rank of the imposing commander, and the rank and service longevity of the member.
    Analyzes and evaluates offenses charged for sufficiency of evidence as to guilty findings made by commanders. Ensures appeals are acted upon by proper higher authority within the chain of command. Responsible for assisting the Military Justice attorney by gathering, sorting, classifying, and interpreting data to discover patterns or trends. Reviews and analyzes relevant statistical information. Responsible for inputting final entries in appropriate databases.
  • Ensures the office provides timely and accurate legal advice, legal reviews and legal opinions to the Air Force Test Center Commander, Directors, and Center staff
    on matters relating to labor law, contracts and acquisition law, and other general law matters. Ensures Air Force supervisors, managers, commanders, and personnel
    requiring legal advice and opinions receive timely and effective advice and assistance on all matters. Assists attorneys in research, initial drafting, finalizing, and issuance
    of legal opinions and guidance on a variety of subjects, including ethics and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) opinions. Proofs opinions and other work prepared for the
    signature of senior JA leadership. Maintains an accurate record of workload numbers and attorney products necessary to reflect the manpower impact of new workloads.
    Drafts and edits nonlegal memorandums related to cases such as reports required by higher headquarters and congressional inquiries.
  • Assists in management of Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Public and Confidential Financial Disclosure Reports (OGE Form 278 and OGE Form 450) to ensure
    timeliness and accuracy in accordance with Joint Ethics Regulation (JER) guidance and conflict of interest rules.
  • Serves as program manager for the Center Paralegal Manager in direct support of the SJA. Manages financial resources of the office. Vigilantly manages the office
    budget and the robust military justice witness funding budgets for three AFTC bases and applicable GSUs.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Telework may be authorized.
  • If authorized, PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • Security clearance requirements are based upon actual position being filled.
  • Locations are not negotiable. The actual duty locations available may be located on the Air Force Civilian Service website.
  • Random drug testing may be required depending upon the position being filled.
  • Supervisory requirements may be required depending upon the position being filled.
  • For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please go to https://afciviliancareers.com/find-a-job/
  • Full/part-time employees occupying direct childcare positions are eligible for discounts IAW DAF AFSVC/CC Memo, 30 Sep 22; first child 100% / each additional child 25%. Other assigned CYP and FCC personnel are eligible for 25% discount.
  • Obtain and maintain a security clearance.
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY). Approximately 5 days per year.

Qualifications

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In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management positions located here

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or broadband level. Specialized Experience may be described as actively contributing as a team member/leader; provides insight and recommends changes or solutions to problems. Identifies and pursues individual/team development opportunities. Achieves and maintains qualification and certification requirements. Proactively guides, coordinates, and consults with others to accomplish projects, assuming ownership of personal processes and products. Identifies, analyzes, and resolves complex/difficult problems. Adapts existing plans and techniques to accomplish complex projects/programs. Recommends improvements to the design or operation of systems, equipment, or processes. Plans and conducts functional technical activities for projects/program

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate/Legal Counsel to perform and manage the paralegal and administrative work of the organization to include effective communication and the use of various multimedia programs to execute office support.
  • Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly orally and in writing. Ability to organize, analyze, communicate, and administer legal cases and programs.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of paralegal duties relating to the areas of military justice, civil law, and ethics.
  • Knowledge of the budget process; military and civilian manpower systems, recognition programs, motivational environment and problem-solving; and the ability to maintain good working relationships.
  • In-depth advanced knowledge of word processing and presentation software functions to support office operations and produce a variety of graphic, textual documents, including but not limited to briefing slides, graphs, letters, reports, memos and form letters.
  • Ability to perform legal research using reference materials generally available within a law library and electronic resource tools such as Lexis/Nexis or Westlaw.
  • Ability to interpret and apply regulatory and procedural requirements to process unusually difficult and complicated transactions, and to resolve litigation related issues and problems.
  • Ability to provide technical guidance to others.



Education

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

Additional information

Air Force Civilian Service Employment Benefits:
Paid Time Off:

  • 11 Federal Holidays off per year
  • Vacation time (Annual Leave) accumulates based on length of employment. Starts at 13 days (104 hours) per year and up to 26 days (208 hours) per year
  • 13 sick days per year (104 hours)

Retirement:
  • Pension: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
  • 401K: Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) available with up to 5% agency matching

Health & Wellness:
  • Various Medical, Dental & Vision packages to choose from for entire family
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Federal Long Term Care Insurance, and Life & Disability Insurance

Work/Life Balance:
  • Family and Medical Leave Act
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Work Arrangements (dependent on position)

Career Development:
  • Tuition Assistance & Professional Development opportunities
  • Career enhancement and promotion opportunities

To learn more about our benefits, please check out the AFTC Benefits Trifold at https://simplebooklet.com/230809aftcbenefitstrifold_v5_.

Federal Resume Tips:
https://afciviliancareers.com/PDF/FederalResumeWriting.pdf
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/documents/resume/what-to-include/

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Classification & Qualifications for Federal Government Employees:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/

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Please visit the Air Force Test Center job board to view other career opportunities:
https://www.aftc.af.mil/About-Us/Jobs/

Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.

Air Force Test Center is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We recognize diversity encompasses many parts of one's identity including but not limited to race, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, genetic information, disability status, and veteran status. AFTC encourages ALL candidates to apply as our employees' points of view are key to our success.



Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

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.

For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

Required Documents

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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

Ensure you click the READ MORE below to open the frame and then CLICK APPLY NOW to complete an application and upload resume (PDF or Word Doc) and/or additional documents (Transcripts, certifications, Vet Docs (DD214), SF-50).

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For additional information on direct hire opportunities with the Air Force please click here.

Equal Opportunity Employer. U.S. citizenship required. Must be of legal working age.




Agency contact information

Air Force Test Center Recruitment
Address
Edwards AFB
5 N Seller Avenue
Bldg 3000, Rm 120
Edwards AFB, CA 93524
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

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