About the Position: Serves as a Paralegal Specialist in the Office of Counsel, Caribbean District. Provides litigation support and performs in-depth legal research and writing on a wide variety of practice areas. Drafts correspondence and pleadings; monitors judicial and administrative proceedings; prepares administrative records; and conducts privilege reviews. Administers the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act programs.

Duties

Administers the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act programs. Evaluates and responds to FOIA requests. Conducts relevant legal and policy research, as needed, and analyzes the application of the FOIA Exemptions(s) to each request. Provides paralegal, administrative, and logistical support for cases in litigation in state and federal courts and administrative proceedings, which may include contract claims and appeals, environmental issues, and personnel issues. Prepares litigation reports, pleadings, affidavits, exhibit lists, and other documents necessary to litigate before administrative bodies and courts. Performs research on a multitude of complex legal issues relating to execution of the Corps' missions and present or anticipated litigation in various forums. Participates in general legal office management, including assistance with preparation of reports, budget development, data and information management, and office administration.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position may require TDY 10% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities. Current Department of Army Civilian EmployeesCurrent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel WorkforceInteragency Career Transition Assistance PlanLand Management Workforce Flexibility ActMilitary Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473Non-Department of Defense (DoD) TransferPeople with Disabilities, Schedule APriority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability RetirementPriority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference EligibleReinstatementVeterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. For GS-9: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) knowledge relevant to or demonstrated ability to conduct legal research in federal case law, state case law, statutes, regulations, and agency guidance, and to present research and conclusions in written and oral form; 2) knowledge relevant to or demonstrated ability to support litigation with experience in one or more of the following areas: preparing drafts of administrative records, pleadings, or dispositive motions; gathering responsive documents, redacting, and drafting a privilege log; drafting and responding to discovery; providing hearing or trial support; 3) ability to communicate in a timely and effective manner, even when the position communicated may differ from what is desired. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Business/Public Administration, Political Science, or, History, etc. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. For GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) experience in one or more specialized areas of law applicable to the position, such as: information law (e.g., FOIA, Privacy Act), fiscal law, or torts or similar legal practice area; 2) demonstrated ability to conduct legal research in federal case law, state case law, statutes, regulations, and agency guidance, and to present research and conclusions in written and oral form; 3) demonstrated ability to support litigation with experience in one or more of the following areas: preparing drafts of administrative records, pleadings, or dispositive motions; gathering responsive documents, redacting, and drafting a privilege log; drafting and responding to discovery; providing hearing or trial support; 4) ability to communicate in a timely and effective manner, even when the position communicated may differ from what is desired. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09). OR 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. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as: Paralegal Studies, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Business/Public Administration, Political Science, or, History, etc. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Interpersonal SkillsLegal, Government and JurisprudenceProblem SolvingTeamwork Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in Spanish is preferred, but not required. For GS-9: Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07). For GS-11: Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address RL-W2SR02 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT-JACKSONVILLE DO NOT MAIL Jacksonville, FL 32202 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk