Paralegal Specialist
Company
Department of Commerce - Office of the Secretary
Location
Gaithersburg, Maryland Gaithersburg, Maryland
Type
Full Time
Job Description
Summary
This vacancy is for a Paralegal Specialist position located in the Office of the Secretary, Office of Chief Counsel for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the Department of Commerce. The Paralegal Specialist performs a variety of legal support duties such as legal and factual research, analyze the legal impact of legislative developments and administrative and judicial decisions, and various professional legal work carried out by the office.
Learn more about this agencyRequirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
- You must successfully pass a background investigation. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use of possession of drugs.
- A probationary period may be required.
- Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/).
- If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
- All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
- Drug Test Required: Yes - Except as prohibited by law, all applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment, and if appointed the incumbent will be subjected to a random drug testing procedures.
- License required: No
- Pre-employment physical required: No
- Bargaining Unit Position: No
- Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE form 450): No
- Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expense: Will Not be paid
Qualifications
Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
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.
To qualify at the GS-12 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level (or equivalent band) in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
- Drafting legal documents and responses;
- Maintaining electronic files and discovery databases; and
- Researching laws, court precedents, and/or federal regulations in the preparation of litigation.
Education
There is no positive education requirement for this position.
Additional information
The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that do not fall under competitive examining procedures; however, they may enable you to apply through merit assignment procedures, or be eligible for a non-competitive appointment.
- Veterans Recruitment Act (VRA)
- Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA)
- 30% or more disabled veterans
- Persons with disabilities
- Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
- Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)
ICTAP and CTAP Eligibles: CTAP and ICTAP candidates will be eligible if it is determined that they have exceeded the minimum qualifications for the position by attaining at least a rating of 85 out of 100. Information about ICTAP eligibility is on the Office of Personnel Management's Career Transition Resources website at: Employee Guide to Career Transition
CTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
- A copy of your specific RIF notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES); or certification that you are in a surplus organization or occupation (this could be a position abolishment letter, a notice eligibility for discontinued service retirement, or similar notice).
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action", noting current position, grade level, and duty location;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
ICTAP applicants MUST submit the following documents:
- A copy of your RIF separation notice; notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate; notice of disability annuity termination; certification from your former agency that it cannot place you after your recovery from a compensable injury; or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
- A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action" documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc;
- A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
- Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
Date Posted
07/04/2024
Views
5
Similar Jobs
Public Affairs Specialist - Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Views in the last 30 days - 0
The text describes a job opportunity at the NIST Conference Program and AV Services group The role involves supporting a team of conference specialist...
View DetailsIT Specialist (Applications Software) - Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Views in the last 30 days - 0
NIST is seeking an IT Specialist Applications Software to join their team offering a competitive package including worklife flexibilities and a compre...
View DetailsTraining Specialist - Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Views in the last 30 days - 0
The Department of Commerce has been ranked top 5 in the 2023 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government for the 12th year in a row showcasing its c...
View DetailsPhysical Scientist - Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Views in the last 30 days - 0
NIST is recruiting a Physical Scientist through directhire authority to address a severe shortage The role requires a degree in physical science engin...
View DetailsManagement and Program Analyst - Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Views in the last 30 days - 0
The Department of Commerce has been ranked as one of the top 5 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government for the 12th consecutive year This recogn...
View DetailsPhysicist - Department of Commerce - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Views in the last 30 days - 0
The Sensor Science Division SSD in NISTs Physical Measurement Laboratory is recruiting for a position with a mission to advance SItraceable measuremen...
View Details