Summary As a Paralegal Specialist at the GS-0950-9/11, you will be part of the Office of General Counsel, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. If selected, you will be responsible for providing litigation and administrative support to the Legal Unit staff of attorneys. Responsibilities Locating witnesses and potential claimants (including use of computer software search tools) and conducting interviews to obtain information and coordinating for deposition, trial, settlements, and claims processing. Utilizing computer software skills for word processing and generation of spreadsheets; utilizing litigation support software for organizing evidence, analyzing discovery, and creating exhibits. Communicating with vendors; working with process servers, messengers, and copy service businesses' and filing court documents through electronic processes, by mail, or in person. Compiling reports of litigation data to inform management in decision-making. Assisting in legal research and analysis of factual and legal issues, laws, agency decisions, precedent; cases, rules, regulations, guidelines, and policies to determine their bearing on legal issues. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications For the GS-9: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience which has equipped you with the ability to support a legal program in the pursuit of complex administrative adjudications through logistical support, analysis, and organization of significant amounts of documents and evidence and legal research and advanced writing skills. OR Successful completion of a master's, or equivalent graduate degree, directly related to the position, OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-7 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-9 level. For the GS-11: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 in the federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that demonstrates the ability to support a federal-sector hearings program through legal research; drafting memoranda, orders, and simple or unopposed summary judgment decisions; managing case files; scheduling and calendaring; communicating with parties; and providing administrative support to administrative judges. OR Successful completion of a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree, directly related to the position, OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. Merit promotion applicants must meet time-in-grade requirement as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. One year at the GS-9 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements (e.g., time-in-grade and qualification requirements) within 30 days of the closing date specified in the vacancy announcement. 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). 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. Education Education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html Additional Information Relocation expenses will not be paid. This is a bargaining unit position: National Council of EEOC Locals, No. 216 Representing BUS code 1125 If selected, you will be expected to report to one of the three offices of the Chicago District Office listed on this announcement. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across EEOC. Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, the veteran must be a preference eligible or a veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions. Noncompetitive Appointment Authorities: For more information on noncompetitive appointment authority eligibility requirements visit the following websites: Persons with Disabilities, Schedule A Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authorities for Certain Military Spouses Family of overseas employees Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Foreign Service Employees Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see: https://www.sss.gov/register/) All employees of the Federal government are subject to the conflict of interest statutes and regulations including the Standards of Ethical Conduct that govern activities with outside organizations and reporting financial holdings. This position may require the incumbent to complete a confidential financial disclosure report within 30 days of appointment. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. TTY users may contact us via the Federal Relay Service, 1-800-877-8339.
