Paralegal Specialist

Environmental Protection Agency; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Environmental Protection Agency (Region 7) seeks a paralegal support professional to assist attorneys in handling complex cases, applying statutes, regulations, and agency policies to factual scenarios.

The position requires specialized experience or advanced education; telework is situational and reporting is to the duty station in Kansas. Competencies include problem solving, written communication, accountability, teamwork, customer service and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• To qualify for GS-11: 1 year of full-time specialized experience at least GS-09 level providing paralegal support to attorneys, applying laws and procedures to complex facts.
• To qualify for GS-12: 1 year of full-time specialized experience at least GS-11 level including case development and enforcement support.
• Education options include advanced degrees or related LL.M./equivalents.

Responsibilities

• Provide paralegal support to attorneys handling complex cases in line with statutes, regulations and agency policies.
• Assist in case development, preparation, enforcement, defense and settlement.
• Apply governing laws and agency procedures to complex fact patterns.

Skills

Problem Solving

Written Communication

Accountability

Teamwork

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

3 full years of graduate education

equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

This position is in Region 7, Office of Regional Counsel, Superfund Branch. About Region 7: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-7-midwest. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis. *This announcement has been amended to update language in the Qualifications Section.*

Join EPA in protecting human health and the environment and enjoy many work life quality options! Working for the EPA offers you a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. To learn more about us, visit Life and Careers at EPA. If you are selected for this position, situational telework may be approved by your supervisor if you meet eligibility requirements, as allowable by agency policy and/or applicable collective bargaining agreement. EPA policy only allows telework to be approved situationally. Situational telework is for work or assignments of specific limited duration on an occasional, emergency, or ad hoc basis. NOTE: If you are an EPA employee who currently works at a remote work location (i.e., full-time telework), your approval for remote work does not transfer to this position, subject to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act.

NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following:

• 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level defined as providing full-spectrum paralegal support to attorneys including developing, preparing, and helping to enforce, defend, and settle cases that require applying statutes, regulations, agency policies, and judicial/administrative procedures to complex fact patterns.
• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; or LL.M., if related; the education must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position
• equivalent combination of education and experience

NOTE: 1 year of full-time undergraduate study is 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. 1 year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study; if that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours is considered 1 year of full-time study.

To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as full-spectrum paralegal support, including case development/ preparation and assistance with enforcement, defense, and settlement, applying governing laws, policies and procedures to complex facts.

You will need the following competencies in order to perform the duties of this position successfully:

• Problem Solving*
• Written Communication*
• Accountability
• Teamwork
• Customer Service*
• Interpersonal Skills

*You will be evaluated on these critical competencies.

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.

*If you have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.