Paralegal Specialist

Bureau of Indian Affairs; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Region, seeks a courtroom clerk/paralegal to assist in the administration of the Court of Indian Offenses across Carson City County, Nevada; Elko, Nevada; Fort Duchesne, Utah; and Phoenix, Arizona. This is a Bargaining Unit position.

The role involves filing, documenting, and calendar management, researching tribal codes, and communicating with court clients and legal representatives.

Qualifications

• GS-5 level requires 3 years general experience or a 4-year college degree or equivalent combination.
• GS-7 level requires 1 year specialized experience or graduate-level education OR 100% combination.
• GS-9 level requires 1 year specialized experience at GS-7 or master's degree or 2 graduate years.

Responsibilities

• File various court documents received for court action.
• Enter judicial documents into a tracking software system.
• Take and maintain written notes of court proceedings.
• Collect filing fees, court costs, fines, and bonds.
• Maintain the court calendar.
• Research tribal codes, laws, and ordinances as needed.
• Explain legal correspondence in person or by phone.
• Provide information or assistance to court clients or legal representatives.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Organization skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Graduate level education

Education + experience combination

Tools

Tracking software

Job description

This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Western Region in Carson City County, Nevada; Elko, Nevada; Fort Duchesne, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona. Responsible for the administration of the Court of Indian Offenses of the Western Region and to serve as the court clerk. This is a Bargaining Unit position, for more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

(OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards, Administrative and Management Positions, Paralegal Specialist, 0950).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements may qualify for the position at the GS-5 level -

• 3 years of general experience, one year of which is equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level, that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• A 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree.
• A combination of education and specialized experience listed above totaling at least 100%. For example, 2 years of general experience (67% of the experience requirement) and 40 hours of undergraduate study (33% of the education requirement) would qualify an applicant for this position.

Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements may qualify for the position at the GS-7 level -

• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level filing various court documents that are received for court action; entering judicial documentation into a tracking software system; taking and maintaining written notes of court proceedings; collecting payment of filing fees, court costs, fines and bonds paid by court clients; maintaining the court calendar; researching tribal codes, laws, and ordinances to determine necessary course of action; explain legal correspondence in person or by phone; and providing proper information or assistance to court clients or legal representatives.
• 1 full year of graduate level education OR Superior Academic Achievement in undergraduate studies.
• A combination of education and specialized experience listed above totaling at least 100%. For example, 6 months of specialized experience (50% of the experience requirement) and 9 hours of graduate study (50% of the education requirement) would qualify an applicant for this position.

Applicants who meet at least one of the following requirements may qualify for the position at the GS-9 level -

• 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level transcribing notes into legal court orders; annotating terminology used in court proceedings such as witness statements and testimony; certifying copies of court records; recommending and implementing procedural and administrative changes as needs arise such as updating court forms or procedures; reviewing tribal enactments to ascertain whether administrative actions are required; and making determinations for administrative action of tribal requests
• A master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR an LL.B. or J.D. degree.
• A combination of education and specialized experience listed above totaling at least 100%. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours is creditable as a substitute for specialized experience. For example, 9 months of specialized experience (75% of the experience requirement) and 27 hours of graduate study (25% of the education requirement) would qualify an applicant for this position. Only education in excess of the first 18 semester hours of a graduate course of study is creditable.

All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Merit Promotion candidates must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the announcement closing date.
Additional selections may be made from this announcement if identical vacancies occur in the same location within 90 days from the closing date.