PARALEGAL SPECIALIST

US Washington Headquarters Services; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

US Washington Headquarters Services in Arlington, VA, seeks a paralegal specialist for the Office of Military Commissions, Defense Organization. The role supports hearings, researches laws, and compiles orders and trial records.

At GS-11 or GS-12 level, candidates will assist with pre-trial and trial preparation, maintain case file databases, and apply independent judgment to case strategies. A Ph.D./LL.M. route or substantial graduate study is acceptable as described.

Qualifications

• Education or one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 in the Federal service.
• Ph.D. or equivalent degree OR at least 3 full years of graduate education directly related to the duties.
• Combination of Education and Experience may be used to qualify if percentages total 100%.
• Volunteer experience may be credited toward qualification.
• GS-12 level requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11.

Responsibilities

• Assist with paralegal support for hearings and trials.
• Research and analyze developments in laws for judiciary trials.
• Assist with compiling orders, rulings, and trial records.
• Review and format legal documents such as rulings and orders.
• Maintain case file databases and support pre-trial preparation.

Skills

Paralegal support

Legal research

Drafting motions

Trial preparation

Education

PhD or equivalent degree

LL.M.

3 years graduate education

Job description

This position is located in the Washington Headquarters Service, Office of Military Commissions, Military Commissions Defense Organization.

The General Counsel, who is the Director of the Defense Legal Services Agency, is appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the chief legal officer of the Department of Defense and is responsible for all legal services performed within and involving the Department of Defense (10 U.S.C. 140).

This vacancy is a career ladder position; it may be filled at the GS-11 or GS-12 level. If selected at the lower grade level, noncompetitive promotion to the full performance level GS-12 is authorized without further competition when selectee is eligible & recommended by management.

In order to qualify for this position, you must meet the requirements described below.

You may qualify at the GS-11 level

Education or One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to:

1. Assist with providing paralegal support for hearings and trials; and
2. Assist in researching and analyzing developments in the laws applicable to judiciary trials; and
3. Assist with compiling orders, rulings, and trial records for use in court; and
4. Review and format legal documents to include rulings, orders, correspondence, and other documents as require.

Applicant must have a Ph.D or equivalent degree or successfully completed at least 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field that is directly related to the duties of this position, OR, received an LL.M. Education must be in a field that is directly related to the duties of this position.

Combination of Education and Experience: 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%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 36. Add the two percentages. You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You may qualify at the GS-12 level

One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (experience may have been gained in the private sector) that demonstrates your ability to:

1. Process broad range of defense-oriented paralegal duties including drafting and filing motions, legal research, travel; and
2. Maintain case file databases, as well as assisting in all aspects of pre-trial and trial preparation; and
3. Exercise independent judgment in assessing preparation strategies for cases..

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.