The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.

Duties

This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Office of Hearings and Appeals, Probate Hearings Division. One vacancy may be filled in Albuquerque, NM, Billings, MT, or Rapid City, SD. This position serves as a Divisional Paralegal Specialist for the Chief Administrative Law Judge (CALJ) and Deputy Chief of Probate Operations (DCPO), Probate Hearings Division (PHD), Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), Arlington, Virginia. The incumbent is knowledgeable and responsible for processing legal and administrative matters arising under Indian probate legislation and regulations. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Supervises legal assistants and/or paralegals assigned to the PHD, performing a full range of supervisory functions.Responsible for the administrative operations of the PHD, resolving administrative issues as they arise in the PHD offices. Monitors and reports on the intake and closing of all PHD cases. Responsible for ensuring that procedures are in place to facilitate the efficient assignment of cases to the proper PHD employees. Assists the program manager for TAAMS, the docket/case tracking system for Indian probate cases. Responsible for the oversight of information entered by the PHD paralegals and legal assistants in TAAMS. Assists with designing training classes and conducts training for all PHD legal assistants and paralegals on the use of TAAMS. Responsible for the development, maintenance, and improvement of PHD's case storage site on SharePoint. Performs legal research, analysis, evaluation, and preparation of decisions in probate cases referred to the PHD. Participates in the initial phases of legal work, assembling and summarizing facts and evidence, legal issues presented and relevant case law. Reviews documents filed in cases to ensure completeness and accuracy and where data is incomplete, inaccurate, or missing, takes appropriate action to obtain information needed. Answers a wide variety of inquiries from within and outside OHA, covering a complete cross-section of legal work and procedures of the PHD. Evaluates requests for information under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts; researches relevant legislation, regulations, and precedents, and prepares memoranda of advice on whether documents, or portions of documents can be released. Reviews changes in relevant probate regulations and statutes and advises PHD staff of such changes and their impacts on case adjudications. Utilizes computer-based programs to facilitate the compilation of a variety of reports, both statistical and narrative, covering PHD activities. The Office of Hearings and Appeals has determined that the duties of this position suitable for telework per agency policy. This is not a remote position. Salary Information Albuquerque, NM: $87,878 - $114,237 Billings, MT and Rapid City, SD: $86,962 - $113,047 *First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lower salary range of the grade level. This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for the GS-12, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is (must meet all five): Performing legal research; Examining legal documents and case files for completeness and accuracy; Drafting legal documents (e.g. docket notices, interim orders) or memoranda for review; Serving as an advanced user or a point of contact for an electronic case management system; and Using electronic databases or a case management system to track and manipulate data to produce reports or provide other case related information. All applicants must have, or be able to obtain, a valid state driver's license to drive a personal vehicle or rent a car for travel to hearings as some hearings may be in remote locations without public transportation. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Merit Promotion candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Education

Contacts

• Address Office of the Secretary 45600 Woodland Road Sterling, VA 20166 US
• Name: Ericka Witham
• Email: [email protected]