Paralegal Specialist

Summary Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Our highly-skilled, diverse, and innovative workforce creates a strong foundation of safety and security.
Through the principles of humanity and normalcy, we develop good neighbors.
This job is open to The public U.
S.
Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.
S.
Clarification from the agency • THIS IS A DELEGATED EXAMINING ANNOUNCEMENT OPEN TO ALL U.
S.
CITIZENS.
• Duty Location: FMC Rochester, MN Duties What are the Major Duties of this Position? Assists in the preparation for litigation, analyzes facts and legal questions, and performs similar functions.
Evaluates and prepares proposed disposition letters for more complex claims submitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act, the Civilian Employee's Claims Act, and Section 3722 of Title 31, United States Code.
Research and analyze legal issues involved, conduct a supplemental investigation if the initial investigation of the claim so warrants.
Prepares difficult interrogatory responses, litigation reports, requirements for government attorneys, and compiles records in response to Requests for Production pursuant to Rule 3 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures.
Responsible for locating new sources of information which may involve contact or correspondence with other departments and agencies, interviews staff and investigation of facts and allegations.
Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution.
The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.
Requirements Conditions of Employment U.
S.
Citizenship is Required.
See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
Selective Service Requirement: https://www.
sss.
gov Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP).
The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1)this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy.
To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria.
You must provide proof of eligibility with your application of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies.
If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement; and 3) you are found well qualified for this vacancy.
To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified category using established category rating criteria.
You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
Qualifications To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements.
Education GL-09: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.
B or J.
D.
, if related.
GS-11: Ph.
D.
or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.
M.
, if related.
Graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR Experience GL-09 and GS-11 You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level in federal service.
To be creditable, this experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are: GL-09: Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation.
Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures.
Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record pursuant to FOIA/PA in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and/or other litigation.
Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, selecting and compiling substantive information, applying statues and appropriate legal precedents, and preparation of responsive legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, and/or requests for representation).
GS-11: Experience researching exemptions and case law, summarizing factual situation and legal basis of complaint, and developing persuasive arguments supporting an agency's position in response to requests under FOIA/PA and other litigation, and substantiating rationale in the event of appeal.
Experience conducting extensive legal research and analysis, preparing factual investigative reports and position papers, based on policy, statutory authority and case law in response to variety of complex legal inquiries, litigation, interrogatories and other discovery procedures.
Experience researching relevant regulations and precedents, conducting supplemental investigation/witness interviews for development of facts, gathering responsive material, coordinating with other staff resources/departments, and determining releasable documents or segregable portions of record in the preparation of pleadings and legal documents respective to FOIA/PA and other litigation.
Experience reviewing and analyzing variety of legal instruments, identifying pertinent issues, applying statutes and other legal precedents, selecting and compiling substantive information, recommending action/response, and following required procedures in the preparation and submission of legal documents and pleadings (such as, interrogatories, complaints filed by opposing parties, declarations, litigation reports, requests for representation, others).
OR Combination of Education and Experience GL-09 and GS-11: Have a combination of education and experience.
This experience must have equipped you with the qualifications to perform the major duties of this position as described above.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience.
To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.
** Education See Qualifications Section for education requirements, if applicable.
ONLY if education is a requirement/substitution for specialized experience, applicant MUST upload legible transcripts as verification of educational requirement.
Transcripts MUST be uploaded and electronically linked from USAJOBS at the time you apply and MUST include identifying information to include School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable).
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Foreign Education: For information regarding foreign education requirements, please see Foreign Diploma and Credit Recognition at the U.
S.
Department of Education website: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.
If you are selected for this position and qualified based on education (i.
e.
basic education requirement and/or substitution of education), you will be required to provide an OFFICIAL transcript prior to your first day on duty.
Additional information This position IS NOT included in the bargaining unit.
In accordance with 5 U.
S.
C.
3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for initial appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution.
If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you MUST submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage.
Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age.
Please refer to the Required Documents Section for the appropriate documentation to submit to validate veteran eligibility.
Special Conditions of Employment Section: Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.
All applicants are subject to and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check.
All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.
The Core Value Assessment (CVA) is an in-person assessment that must be facilitated at a Bureau of Prisons Human Resource Servicing office.
On the day of the scheduled interview, a CVA will be administered.
The applicant assessment must be completed within a 70-minute time period and a passing score of 68 must be obtained.
Further employment consideration will not be extended if the applicant fails to complete the examination or fails to achieve a passing score.
Note: The Core Value Assessment will not be administered to current BOP employees.
Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques", three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.
Note: Shift work may be required for this position.
Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Benefits How You Will Be Evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures.
Based upon your self-reported responses to the assessment questions during the application process, your application will be placed into one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified.
Applications will be reviewed from the top quality category.
Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed in this announcement.
If you are found qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to the responses you provided on the online assessment questionnaire.
NOTE: Candidates within the top quality category and who are eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.
If you are entitled to veterans preference, you should indicate the type of veterans preference you are claiming on your resume.
Although veterans preference points are not assigned under the category rating procedures described under "How You Will Be Evaluated", veterans preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-veterans within each category for which they are qualified.
In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest qualified category as defined by category rating procedures.
Experience that would not normally be part of the Federal employee's position is creditable when documented by satisfactory evidence (e.
g.
, a memorandum from the manager, Human Resource Manager, SF-52, etc.
) What Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are Required for this Position? The following Competencies/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's) are required: GL-09: Ability to communicate orally.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Ability to research, analyze and evaluate information.
Knowledge of legal and general reference materials.
GS-11: Ability to communicate orally.
Ability to communicate in writing.
Knowledge of correctional issues.
Ability to research, analyze, and evaluate information.
You may preview questions for this vacancy.
Required Documents Veterans' Preference Documentation: Veterans MUST provide a DD-214 demonstrating that they have been discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions (i.
e.
, the individual must have received either an honorable or general discharge).
If you are on active duty and expect to be discharged or released from active duty service within 120 days, you may submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty from the appropriate Branch Personnel Office containing the following information: (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; (2) and the character of service (must be an honorable or general discharge); and (3) any qualifying service/campaign/expeditionary medals.
SF-15: If you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, widow/widower of a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, submit a completed Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference"; all other required documentation identified on the SF-15, in addition to the veteran's DD-214 described above.
A Department of Veterans Affairs letter must contain: the Veteran’s Name and Combined Service-Connected Evaluation.
Failure to submit all required documents at the time of application will result in the loss of claimed preference eligibility.
Resume: showing relevant experience (cover letter optional).
In order to receive credit for experience contained in a resume, your employment history must be documented in month/year format (MM/YYYY), reflecting starting date and ending date and include the number of hours worked per week.
Failure to follow this format may result in disqualification.
College transcript: which includes the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable).
(Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript(s) will be required prior to your first day).
SF-50: for proof of prior LEO coverage, if applicable.
Failure to provide these documents could possibly result in removal from consideration for this vacancy.
If uploading documentation, do not identify/save your documents utilizing a special character such as %, #, @, etc.
Documentation should be identified/saved as VA Letter, DD214, or Transcripts.
We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software, delays in mail service, applicant application errors, etc.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.
Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.
S.
Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply You must apply through the online application system at www.
USAJOBS.
gov.
Follow the prompts to register, answer a few questions and submit all required documents.
NOTE: Submission of a resume alone is not a complete application.
This position may require the completion of additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described under the Required Documents section.
Please carefully review the complete job announcement and the "How to Apply" instructions.
Failure to provide the required information and/or materials will result in your application not being considered for employment.
Required supporting documentation must be electronically uploaded or transferred from USAJOBS (uploaded).
All required supporting documentation MUST be received by the Consolidated Staffing Unit by 11:59 p.
m.
, Eastern Standard Time, on the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
You MUST include the vacancy announcement number on your supporting documentation.
NOTE: Failure to follow these application procedures will result in the applicant losing consideration for this position.
Paper applications: If applying online is impossible, please contact the Consolidated Staffing Unit at the telephone number listed below, prior to the closing date of the announcement for the alternate application procedure.
Contact for Assistance in Applying On-Line: DOJ, Federal Bureau of Prisons Consolidated Staffing Unit 346 Marine Forces Drive Grand Prairie, TX 75051 E-Mail: BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.
gov Phone: 972-352-4200 Agency contact information CSU Phone 972-352-4200 Email BOP-HRM-HRSC-ConsolidatedStaffingUnit-S@bop.
gov Address JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS Consolidated Staffing Unit 346 Marine Forces Drive Grand Prairie, Texas 75051 United States Next steps We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the application process has been completed.
Applicants will be notified via e-mail, to the e-mail address registered in USAJOBS.
The referral certificate or list of eligibles will then be issued to the selecting official for further consideration.
The Human Resource Office may then contact you for an interview if they wish.
We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Applicants referred on a certificate of eligibles may receive an Inquiry of Availability (OF-5 Form) via e-mail, mail or a telephone inquiry from the local Human Resource Department.
Applicants MUST complete the OF-5 form and return it to the Human Resource Management Office or contact the Human Resource Department telephonically or via e-mail.
Applicants MUST also telephone the Human Resource Department during normal business hours to schedule an interview.
Failure to either return the form or contact the Human Resource Department will result in a loss of consideration for the position.