Paralegal Specialist

Summary About the Position: Join us at the United States Southern Command. We provide direct support to a four-star unified Combatant Commander, but are compact enough that our staff also works with senior leadership representatives of our inter-service, inter-agency and (public and private) international partner organizations. Our contribution to furthering our country's relationships with South and Central American nations and peoples are substantial. Responsibilities Assist attorneys with legal research and drafting of legal documents. Consult with attorneys from the USSOUTHCOM Staff Judge Advocate's office, and other agencies on mutual matter of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) /Privacy Act (PA) policy and questions that arise during the processing of requests. Provide general paralegal and administrative support assisting with the daily management of the legal office to include intake and tracking of requests/tasks to completion. Process FOIA requests, assist with redactions and applicable exemptions from release consistent with US law and regulations. Serve as the office knowledge manager enabling the efficient and effective display, sharing, and storing of information associated with legal operations throughout the Combatant Command Enterprise. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans Current Department of Army Civilian Employees Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army) Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473 Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Interchange Agreement Eligible People with Disabilities, Schedule A Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible Reinstatement Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the 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. Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes 1) Providing legal support to assist attorneys in areas of ethics, administrative and civil law, FOIA/PA issues. 2) Composing correspondence consolidating, and highlighting information into a format which most effectively answers inquiries and prepares in final form for signature of the attorney. 3) Utilizing knowledge management tools and systems to manage the command program; preparing project papers, staff reports, and organizing briefings to brief the management team. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11). You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: Administration and Management Legal, Government and Jurisprudence Organizational Awareness 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-11). Education Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted. Additional Information Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration. You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship. One year trial/probationary period may be required. Direct deposit of pay is required. Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees. If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet. This is a Legal Career Field position. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement. Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement. When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest. Advance In-Hire may be authorized with organization/management discretion. Recruitment/Retention/Relocation incentives may be authorized with organization/management discretion.