Summary The primary purpose of this position is to provide paralegal support at the professional level to the 354th Fighter Wing, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. The position requires application of legal and administrative knowledge in performing responsible and technical assignments in support of attorneys. Critical support consists of legal research, legal document preparation, tax assistance and state notarial services for eligible clients, including high ranking officials of all services. Responsibilities Attorney Support (Civil Law Division). Researches legal authority and factual circumstances to prepare correspondence, legal memoranda and other legal documents. Assist with potential litigation support. Reviews, research and prepares written legal opinions for Line of Duty Determinations, Reports of Survey, off-duty employment requests, requests for reimbursement of real estate costs, requests to conduct fundraising events and commercial sponsorship Legal Assistance and Preventive Law Support. Independently interviews, interprets needs and drafts a variety of powers of attorney for clients, as well as acts as notary for same. Manages the scheduling and policy issues of ensuring premium customer service as expected by the client base of this installation. Tax Assistance. In coordination with the 354 FW/JA Chief of Legal Assistance, supports a year-round tax program. May prepare individual Federal and State income tax returns, supporting documentation and correspondence with tax authorities for all eligible personnel as described above. Performs Administrative Support and various administrative duties in support of the 354 FW/JA. Prepares and maintains office files and records in accordance with established instructions, including electronic filing of correspondence, records and reports. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Administrative and Management Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-07, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes 1) Knowledge of legal principles, concepts, legal research methods, and data analysis techniques to perform independently recurring assignments which are typically covered by established precedents and interpret and apply, or explain to others the application of, a body of law, regulations, precedents, and practices covering one or more recurring @types of legal actions encountered in the agency. 2) Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources such as agency manuals, directives, issuances, court reports, appellate records, or commercial legal publications sufficient to locate appropriate data such as applicable precedents, legislative history, and commentaries which bear on particular legal issues. OR EDUCATION: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. or LL.B. or J.D., if related. NOTE: You must submit a copy of official transcripts. OR COMBINATION OF EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION: 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%. NOTE: You must submit a copy of transcripts. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time--in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Knowledge of Federal and State law, Military administrative law, Legal procedures and the Government Standards of Conduct. 2. Skill to analyze, research and draw meaningful conclusions. 3. Skill in oral and written communication. 4. Ability to prepare correspondence in proper format with supporting authority and documentation and to prepare legal opinions with attorney guidance. Ability to prepare and brief presentations. 5. Ability to speak and deal with a wide variety of people. To work effectively and independently as a member of the team. 6. Ability to learn and proficiently use a variety of online databases that support the duties of the position, including but not limited to Word, Excel, FLITE, Westlaw and WebLIONS. Ability to maintain and manage filing and suspense systems. 7. Ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems on computer terminals and to determine the best method to correct the issue. Ability to administer use of the local area network and resolve local area network connectivity problems. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. Additional Information Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as an ICTAP eligible click here. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated well qualified or above for this position. You must submit a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location. 120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur. Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible: MSP applicants, if determined best qualified, must be selected, and placed at the highest grade for which they applied. You must include a completed copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within 30 days along with the documents identified on the checklist to verify your eligibility for MSP. Click here to obtain/download a copy of the DD Form 3145-4, Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist. Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.
