Paralegal Specialist.

US Army Corps of Engineers; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Federal benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeks a qualified paralegal support professional in Kansas City to assist attorneys with case preparation, legal research, FOIA coordination, and administrative duties. You will help gather and organize case files for review and draft documents under supervision.

Responsibilities include handling time/attendance, travel orders, purchase and training cards, and supporting enforcement of Davis Bacon Act wage rates. A federal benefits package is provided.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience including gathering, organizing, and preparing legal documents and case files for review.
• Performing routine legal research using standard legal databases and references to locate relevant statutes, regulations, and case precedents for review by an attorney.
• Providing administrative and clerical support for legal proceedings and office management.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and logistical support for cases in litigation in state and federal courts and administrative proceedings, including contract claims and appeals, bid protests, requests for agency documents.
• Conduct legal research and provide research for attorneys in drafting legal opinions and other legal documents on all aspects of the District’s mission as referred by the District Counsel.
• Assist FOIA Officer in handling the FOIA Program.
• Assist the Contractor Industrial Relations Specialist (CIRS) with Davis Bacon Act and service contract wage rates and the review of contractor payrolls.
• Provide administrative assistance as needed with time and attendance certification, preparation of travel orders and arrangements, maintenance of government purchase card and training card, and correspondence.

Skills

Legal research

Administrative support

Document preparation

Education

Master's degree or equivalent graduate education (Paralegal Studies, Law, Political Science, Public Administration, or Criminal Justice)

Tools

Legal databases

Job description

Duties

• Provides administrative and logistical support for cases in litigation in state and federal courts and administrative proceedings, including contract claims and appeals, bid protests, requests for agency documents.
• Conducts legal research and provides research for attorneys in drafting legal opinions and other legal documents on all aspects of the District’s mission as referred by the District Counsel.
• Assists FOIA Officer in handling the FOIA Program.
• Assists the Contractor Industrial Relations Specialist (CIRS) with Davis Bacon Act and service contract wage rates and the review of contractor payrolls.
• Provides administrative assistance as needed with time and attendance certification, preparation of travel orders and arrangements, maintenance of government purchase card and training card, and correspondence.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: US Citizens

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or 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; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is

Specialized Experience

One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) Assisting senior paralegals or attorneys by gathering, organizing, and preparing legal documents and case files for review; AND 2) Performing routine legal research using standard legal databases and references to locate relevant statutes, regulations, and case precedents for review by an attorney; AND 3) Providing administrative and clerical support for legal proceedings and office management.

OR

Education

Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as a Paralegal Studies, Law, Political Science, Public Administration, or Criminal Justice.

OR

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) beyond the first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

• 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.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• 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
• This is a(n) Legal Career Program position aligned under the PILLAR Career Management Directorate.
• 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
• 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.
• A Relocation, Recruitment, Student Loan Repayment, Advance in Hire or Advance Leave Accrual incentive may be authorized if it is in the best interest of the government.

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 here:

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.