This position is part of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management - National Energy Technology Laboratory, Department of Energy. As a Paralegal Specialist, you will serve as a technical specialist in providing legal analysis, and advisory support to the legal staff of the Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). With responsibility for planning, coordinating, controlling the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act programs, and administration of ethics and financial disclosure requirements.

Duties

As a Paralegal Specialist, you will: Use electronic (Nexis/Lexis) and hard-copy research tools to access laws, regulations, policy, guidance, and case law. Draft correspondence, pleadings, and detailed narrations of facts for court and administrative proceedings. Assist Office of Chief Counsel attorneys in administering the agency ethics program. Research and interpret statutes, regulations and advisory opinions concerning standards of ethical conduct. Ensure 100% employee compliance with financial disclosure filing requirements for all NETL employees. Assist NETL's Freedom of Information Officer (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) Officer. Serve as backup to the attorney Freedom of Information Act Officer. Maintain the Legal Office database (Legal Files), opening new matters, searching the database for information requested by attorneys, preparing productivity and utilization reports for the Chief Counsel, assuring attorneys are updating the matters as required.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
• If selected, your appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• This position is not included in a Bargaining Agreement.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

GS-11 - SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting three of the following four statements: 1. Collecting requested information utilizing Nexis/Lexis. 2. Assisting with administration of employee compliance tracking. 3. reviewing contract terms/conditions for accuracy/legal sufficiency. 4. Inputting data into databases including preparing productivity and utilization reports. OR EDUCATION: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED OR LL.M., if related. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED OR COMBINATION: You may qualify on a combination of education and experience, the total percentage of experience at the required grade level compared to the specialized experience requirement, as well as the percentage of completed education compared to the educational requirement must equal at least 100 percent. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED GS-12 - SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS - A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level. Specialized experience for this position is defined as meeting ALL of the following: 1. Researching legal information utilizing Nexis/Lexis. 2. Implementing ethics and conflict of interest policies and regulations for an organization's employees. 3. Conducting legal research/factual investigation regarding information requested including the laws, regulations, and legal precedents. 4. Drafting complete/actionable contractual instruments. "Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must (1) meet all of the requirements as described in this section; and 2) be rated "well-qualified", which is defined as scoring in the in Well Qualified category (or higher). You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Education

GS-11: If substituting education for specialized experience or qualifying using a combination of education and experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education.
Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.
Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

GS-12: There are no specific education requirements or substitution of education for experience for this grade.

Contacts

• Address Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management - National Energy Technology Laboratory Department of Energy Human Capital Shared Service Center 1000 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20585 US
• Name: David Johnson
• Phone: 202-805-1653
• Email: [email protected]