The United States Space Force (USSF) at Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA is searching for a Senior Paralegal Specialist for SLD 30/JA (NH-0950-02, GS-05/11 equivalent).

Dynamic Description:
The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate provides critical support to Space Launch Delta 30 and its wide variety of tenant units and mission partners on a diverse set of issues ranging from military justice to acquisitions. If you are passionate about helping individuals navigate the criminal justice system and also like to research a wide variety of topics then this position offers limitless opportunities. Primary focus will be on administering the administrative separations and victim and witness assistance programs while also assisting with Magistrate Court.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is experienced conducting legal research, managing case files and complex tasks independently. A recent background working administrative separations and issues involving witnesses and victims of crimes is preferred. Adept at interpersonal communications, be able to conduct meetings with diverse mission partners, be comfortable public speaking, and able to counsel and work effectively with people in crisis.


Recruitment Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
1. Ability to independently perform legal research utilizing electronic methods (LEXIS/NEXIS, Westlaw and FLITE) and traditional methods (books, periodicals and indexes).
2: Knowledge of software applications including Microsoft Word, Access and PowerPoint, Armed Forces Claims Information Management System (AFCIMS), Discipline Case Management System-Automated Military Justice Analysis and Management System (DCMS-AMJAMS), and Legal Information Online System (LIONS), to support office operations and produce a variety of documents such as letters, reports, and form letters.
3: Knowledge of an extensive body of rules, procedures, formats, protocols and specialized terminology as they relate to formal legal proceedings, to prepare, process and disseminate legal forms and documents, and to carry out legal notarial acts.
4: Knowledge of legal principles and concepts to interpret and apply directives, precedents, and extensive familiarity with practices covering the litigation of lengthy and complex trials, hearings appeals, and the rules, regulations and laws in Ethics, Federal acquisitions, environmental and civilian personnel.
5: Skills and proficiency sufficient to investigate and become thoroughly familiar with subject matter details involved in a case or legal matter, determine the specific data needed and best approach to obtain this data, or to determine the relevance or sufficiency of available legal, technical, or other related data.
6: Skill in interpersonal communication to gain cooperation from others through tact courtesy, and diplomacy. Conduct community meetings and public speaking, and ability to counsel and, work effectively with people in crisis.
7: Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• May be required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
• Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "unscheduled telework".
• May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
• May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
• This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first.
• PCS /relocation funding is authorized.
• Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 15 days per year.
• Will normally be required to travel to Santa Barbara, CA, at least one day per month for proceedings in U.S. Federal Magistrate’s Court.
• If position is identified as having “regular contact with children” in accordance with public law, a criminal background check must be completed.
• The position requires the employee to drive a motor vehicle. An appropriate, valid driver’s license is required for the position.

Qualifications

The 0301 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here. Scroll down to section 3 Administration and Management positions.

How you will be evaluated

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies as related to the series and grade of the position being filled. Final qualifications determinations will be assessed based on OPM's General Schedule Qualifications Standards found here:

Interviews: You will be contacted by e-mail and/or telephone if your application is identified as qualifying for a position being filled. An interview may be conducted. If interviewed, you will be asked to address the same knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies used to initially qualify your application for the position.

Resume:You must submit a resume that may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume exceeds two pages or is illegible/unreadable. Do NOT include photographs, inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume. If the resume you submit contains such information you will not be considered for this vacancy. Your resume must provide:

1. Personal information - your full name, email and mailing addresses, phone number
2. Education information - the name of the school and the dates you attended
3. Work experience - paid and unpaid work with the following information:
   • Job title
   • Detailed duties and accomplishments
   • Employer's name and address
   • Supervisor's name and phone number
   • Starting and ending dates (If actual dates are not known, provide your best-estimated timeframes.)
   • Hours per week
   • Salary, if applicable
4. Other qualifications - skills, certifications/licenses, honors, awards, special accomplishments, and job-related training courses

College Transcripts (if applicable): Please see the Education section of this announcement for detailed information about transcripts.

Next steps