Paralegal Specialist Direct Hire Authority

Summary

Click on "Learn more about this agency" button below to view Eligibilities being considered and other IMPORTANT information. The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal, technical, and administrative support to attorneys assigned to the Air Force Materiel Command Law Office, Procurement Fraud Law Division (AFMCLO/JAF).

Duties

• 1) Provides paralegal support in the specialized practice of civil litigation to AFMCLO procurement fraud attorneys, attorneys in the field, AFMC headquarters, DAF headquarters, the Air Force General Counsel's Office, United States Attorney's offices, the Department of Justice (DoJ), investigators, and contracting personnel. 2) Provides written and oral legal reviews to attorneys and staff on complex questions of law and fact pertaining to civil acquisition fraud cases, proposed suspension and debarment actions, proposed contractual actions, and proposed settlement of these actions. 3) Provides substantive development of complex case files for use in civil litigation, alternate dispute resolution (ADR), and discovery. 4) Participates in, prepares, and conducts formal and informal training for attorneys, paralegals, investigators, contracting personnel, and others. 5) Responsible for the timely completion of administrative duties as assigned by AFMCLO leadership and delgated authorities.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the general experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Clerical and Administrative Support Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband NH-02, equivalent to the next to lower grade GS-11 or equivalent in the Federal Service. Specialized experience must include performing extensive, multifaceted, multilevel legal research to locate appropriate data; litigation activities to perform the procedural and administrative work such as preparing and editing legal briefs, documents and administrative correspondence, and assembling information for various legal documents and reports; legal services and terminology in the area of claims, civil law, criminal jurisdiction, and legal research techniques. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: 1. Must be qualified as a paralegal through education, training, or work experience to perform substantive legal work that requires knowledge of complex legal concepts and is customarily, but not exclusively, performed by an attorney. Substantive shall mean work requiring recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis, and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts. 2. Proven highly developed paralegal experience and skills in support of civil litigation attorneys. 3. Skill at conducting extensive and complex legal research to analyze and verify accuracy of citations; examining all references in briefs and other memoranda; analyzing and identifying legal issues in all cases; and evaluating and interpreting various records and other factual documents. 4. Skill at preparing complex legal instruments, exhibits, charts, metrics, monetary computations, memoranda, statistical analysis, and supporting documents used in litigating cases, answering legal questions, or making legal determinations; drafting legal opinions, processing Discovery and Disclosure requests; prepare and respond to requests for admission, production of documents, interrogatories, and discovery motions; and prepare summary of disclosures and discovery responses. 5. Skill at effective communication, both orally and in writing. 6. Ability to follow instructions and perform all assigned work independently, or with minimal supervision. 7. Ability to maintain current knowledge of changing statutory and regulatory guidance as they relate to the duties of this position; as well as general developments in technology that may improve the effective delivery of legal services. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience; transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

Required documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming. Online Application: Questionnaire Resume: Your resume may NOT exceed two pages, and the font size should not be smaller than 10 pts. You will not be considered for this vacancy if your resume is illegible/unreadable. Additional information on resume requirements can be located under "How To Apply". Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license. Veterans: If claiming VEOA, VRA or 30% Disabled Veteran - Submit VOW certification memo or copy of the official DD Form 214, which must include the character of service (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This will be annotated in block 24 on member copy 2, 4, or 7 of the DD Form 214. If claiming 30% Disabled Veteran, you must also submit a VA Letter or a disability determination from a branch of the Armed Forces. NOTE: All veterans claiming 10-point preference must also submit a SF-15 form. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, AND a SF-50 reflecting the highest grade held if different from your recent SF-50. The SF-50, block 24 must contain "1" or "2" AND block 34 must be a "1". Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a "1" or "2". ACTIVE DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS: The VOW Act requires federal agencies to treat an eligible active duty service member as a veteran, disabled veteran, and preference eligible (as applicable) when applying for civil service positions before the effective release or discharge date. Appointment of military members before the release or discharge date is permissible if the member is on terminal leave. At the time the active duty member applies for a civil position, he or she must submit a "certification" memo in lieu of a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Active duty members applying for a civil service position without submitting a valid certification memo or DD Form 214 with their application will render the member ineligible for the position. The certification memo must originate from the member's military service branch on official letterhead and contain the following: Name/Rank/Grade of Service Member Branch of Armed Forces Dates of Active Service (Start and End Date(s) Expected Date of Discharge/Release from Active Duty Terminal leave start date (if applicable) Expected character of service (honorable or general) and type of separation (i.e. separation or retirement) Must be certified within 120 days of anticipated discharge Signature by, or by direction of the adjutant, personnel office, unit commander, or higher headquarters commander. Note: The VOW Act provides tentative preference. If appointed, a DD Form 214 must be submitted upon receipt. OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS: Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees - Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. Awards for Current Federal Civilian Employees - List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume. Note: Applicant must not submit award Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).