The primary purpose of the position is to perform a variety of paralegal functions, which include legal research, review of case packages, evaluating cases, preparing cases for hearing, providing informal advice to client agencies as directed by attorneys, interpreting state and agency regulations and laws, writing reports, drafting pleadings, memoranda, legal correspondence, and coordinating litigation holds and e-discovery document review.

Duties

Supports OGC attorneys and USDA component agencies in affirmative and defensive litigation, including litigation hold implementation, fact investigation, legal research, preparation of pleadings, and gathering documents and information. Documents actions taken to satisfy litigation holds, including steps to effectively preserve electronically stored information (ESI) and hard copy records, and maintains information regarding the litigation hold while the hold is active. Assembles and organizes files and records material for disposition or transfer to records depositories in accordance with established procedures. Utilizes automated legal research tools and public information databases to research legal matters. Identifies and implements recommendations for improving practices and procedures in supporting USDA litigation functions. Uses electronic resources in support of legal office functions, to include word processing software, spreadsheets, or data management systems; develops methods for automating reports, statistical data, text and graphics. Performs various administrative tasks in a legal office environment, such as filing, mail handling and document processing, including the completion of personnel paperwork and various forms related to the administrative operation of the office.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• The documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
• You may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, and specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. (Must submit your non-award SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade.) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying: GS-9: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems which demonstrates a minimum of 4 of the 6 following competencies to successfully perform as a Paralegal Specialist. Specialized experience is defined as experience in: Reviewing changes in court rules, agency and departmental regulations, policies, and procedures and advising attorneys of the changes. Preparing draft affidavits/ declarations or other documentation to establish or support a factual record. Preparing letters or other documentation referring or supporting the referral of matters to attorneys' offices for litigation. Providing technical advice to attorneys and/or client agencies regarding factual and legal questions. Providing attorneys with written conclusions and recommendations. Analyzing factual information, identifying missing information that requires additional research, and selecting appropriate courses of action. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).

Education

If qualifying based on education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field to the position OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

Contacts

• Address Office of the General Counsel 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Victoria Centurion
• Phone: 612-852-7631
• Email: [email protected]