DOL seeks to attract and retain a high performing and diverse workforce in which employees' differences are respected and valued to better meet the varying needs of the diverse customers we serve. DOL fosters a diverse and inclusive work environment that promotes collaboration, flexibility and fairness so that all individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential. This position is inside the bargaining unit.

Duties

This position is located in the Division of Federal Employees' and Energy Workers' Compensation (FEEWC). The Division, which is one of the National Office divisions in the Office of the Solicitor, is responsible for legal work primarily arising out of the Department's administration of two major Federal compensation programs: the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) and the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act (EEOICPA). In addition, the Division processes and adjudicates administrative claims and assists the Department of Justice in defending cases under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). This position is in the FECA subrogation unit, which administers all third-party subrogation matters under FECA. The incumbent makes initial case analysis to determine that sufficient evidence exists to indicate third-party liability involving the injury or death of a federal employee or other covered beneficiary. Incumbent provides assistance to private attorneys by collecting all possible information pertinent to each case through correspondence, telephone inquiries or emails with the injured employees, witnesses, insurance companies, attorneys, OWCP officials, and employing agencies. Incumbent drafts a variety of legal correspondence concerning the provisions of the FECA and the Government's statutory right of reimbursement for disbursements made in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Incumbent verifies, computes or recomputes the Statement of Recovery in each third-party recovery, and advises the employee, if not represented by counsel, the employee's attorney, the defendant's attorney or insurance carrier of the total amount of the Government's statutory right of reimbursement and of the amount to be credited against future FECA benefits. Incumbent initiates appropriate action to collect the Government's statutory right of reimbursement, which may involve a referral to the U.S. Department of Treasury to offset any federal payments due or to the Department of Justice for litigation. Incumbent prepares monthly reports reflecting the amounts of the refunds received and the amount of the surplus established to offset future compensation.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Requires a probationary period if the requirement has not been met.
• Candidate required to obtain the necessary security/investigation level.

Qualifications

In describing your experience please be clear and specific. We will not make assumptions regarding your experience. Applicants must meet specialized experience in order to qualify. To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience. You must have one year of specialized experience, in the private sector. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Performing factual research on public databases and in public records. Using commercial databases, such as Lexis/Nexis and/or Westlaw, to perform legal research. Establishing and maintaining digital case files containing case related documents, such as administrative files received from the client, discovery, exhibits, court filings, and general correspondence. Retrieving documents by issue, topic, or witness in case databases. Drafting and/or editing legal correspondence. Presenting evidence electronically. Organizing and maintaining deposition and trial exhibits. Coordinating trial logistics; and/or Compiling and organizing information by preparing summary charts and spreadsheets of voluminous information using MS Excel or similar software. OR- Education: a Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law); a LL.B. or J.D.; or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR- Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of one full year. To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience. To qualify for the Paralegal Specialist at the GS-11 level, you must have one year of specialized experience, in the private sector. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Independently searching publicly available databases or records to locate parties, witnesses, court proceedings, facts, and financial information necessary for case development. Using commercial databases, including Lexis/Nexis and/or Westlaw, to perform legal research, locate cases, and check legal citations. Establishing and maintaining digital case files containing various case-related documents. Interviewing individuals to collect facts and information related to cases. Drafting and editing memoranda, pleadings, and correspondence. Using presentation software, such as Excel or PowerPoint, and synthesizing information in charts or graphs. Reviewing documents for privilege and privacy and performing electronic redactions in Adobe Acrobat or similar software. Organizing and maintaining files and correspondence in an electronic database. Coordinating customer service logistics; and/or Compiling and analyzing information by preparing summary charts and spreadsheets of voluminous data using MS Excel or similar software. OR - Education: a LL.M, a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law); OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR - Combination of Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of two full years. Time in Grade Requirement: Current government employees on a permanent appointment in the competitive service must demonstrate one year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the occupational series and grade. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/27/2023. Your resume must support your responses to the questionnaire and qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

Education

Any applicant falsely claiming an academic degree from an accredited school will be subject to actions ranging from disqualification from federal employment to removal from federal service.

If your education was completed at a foreign college or university, you must show comparability to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States and comparability to applicable minimum coursework requirements for this position. Click Evaluation of Foreign Education for more information.

Contacts

• Address Office of the Solicitor 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 US
• Name: Camille Britt
• Phone: 202-693-5415
• Email: [email protected]