Paralegal Specialist

U.S. Coast Guard; Falling Waters (WV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking a Paralegal Specialist (GS-5/7/9) in Falling Waters, West Virginia. The role focuses on reviewing and indexing legal documents, preparing title instruments, and handling regulatory materials within a federal framework.

The position emphasizes specialized experience, education substitution, and advancement through GS levels, with strong emphasis on accuracy, data extraction, and compliance with federal processes.

Qualifications

• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-4.
• Examples: reviewing applications for completeness and accuracy; preparing abstracts of title and certificates of ownership.
• Education can substitute for experience at this grade level.
• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5.
• Examples: searching files of precedent decisions; reviewing application documentation to extract data.
• One year of graduate education or superior academic achievement.
• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7.
• Examples: determining actions needed; recording and indexing legal instruments; reviewing entire application and documentation for completeness.
• Masters or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher level graduate education.
• LL.B. or J.D. if related.
• Education can substitute for experience at this grade level.

Skills

Reviewing applications

Data extraction

Legal document indexing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

LL.B./J.D.

Job description

This vacancy is for a GS-0950-5/7/9, Paralegal Specialist located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, CG NVDC RECREATIONAL VESSEL DOCUMENTATION DIVISION -NVDC-2 in FALLING WATERS, West Virginia.

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays. Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.

To qualify at the GS-5 grade level,

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis:

• Reviewing/Analyzing submitted applications for completeness and accuracy; AND
• Preparing instruments such as abstracts of title and certificates of ownership.

OR

Applicant must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university in any field.

To qualify at the GS-7 grade level,

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

• Searching files of precedent decisions and regulatory material to make determinations; AND
• Reviewing application documentation to extract certain data and information related to specified items.

OR

Applicant must have 1 full year of graduate level education

OR

Superior academic achievement

To qualify at the GS-9 grade level,

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.

• Determining actions needed to resolve issues and problems and acceptable documentation needed;
• Recording and indexing legal instruments including preferred and chattel mortgages, liens, assignments, and bills of sale; AND
• Reviewing entire application and submitted documentation for completeness and accuracy, and issue a completed certificate of documentation.

OR

Applicants must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree

OR

Applicants must have 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

OR

Applicants must have LL.B. or J.D., if related

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

NOTE: Education CAN be substituted for experience at this grade level.

National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): 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.