Summary This Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) position is within the Office of General Counsel (OGC), DeCA. The General Counsel of the Department of Defense is dual hatted as the Defense Legal Services Agency (DLSA) Director; DLSA provides a full range of legal advice and services to officials of the Defense Agencies and the DoD Field Activities. DeCA is a Defense Agency responsible for operating military commissaries worldwide. . Responsibilities Serve as a Paralegal Specialist in the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) Office of General Council (OGC), providing assistance to Agency attorneys on matters that do not require a law degree and admission to the bar. Act as DeCA OGC legal representative at meetings and by telephone between DeCA, outside agencies, contractors and clients for the purpose of gathering information to use in developing recommendations, legal advice, opinions, and legal strategy by attorneys assigned to DeCA. Gather, analyze and prepare litigation reports for submission to the DeCA General Counsel, Department of Justice (DoJ), investigators, and others. Use statistical techniques to gather and analyze litigation data to evaluate the usefulness in researching legal issues. Research, compose (citing applicable supportive law, rule, regulation, and facts), and file a variety of legal documents including notices, entries of appearance, schedule changes, motions, discovery, affidavits, and settlement documents as determined necessary by the responsible attorney for submission to Federal administrative fora or Federal courts in cases involving the agency. Open and assemble cases and matters to be reviewed, coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, and support assigned attorneys in litigation of matters before the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals (ASBCA), Government Accountability Office (GAO), or other Federal litigation cases involving the agency. Submit entry and updates to computer case management systems to track the status of administrative and judicial, active/inactive, and closed cases throughout the agency. This position offers promotion potential to a higher grade. To prepare you for the higher grade, work assignments will be progressively more complex. After meeting all qualifications and requirements for the next grade level and with your supervisor's recommendation, you may be promoted without further competition. However, promotion is neither guaranteed nor automatic. Read the entire announcement before starting the application process. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications In accordance with the Group Coverage Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-cler.asp.applications To qualify at the GS-09 grade level: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience must be at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Specialized experience include: Performing data searches, with specific parameters, using automated data bases to determine the status of ongoing actions or cases. Providing administrative support to higher graded specialists preparing for various, complex investigations, administrative hearings, court proceedings and arbitrations. Reviewing legal material and providing facts, summations, and other pertinent information to aid in interviewing witnesses and pertinent document collection. Assisting in researching relevant facts, supportive legal standards and case law. Establishing, coordinating, maintaining, and closing litigation and other files. Assuring proper assembly of case and other files. Filing motions and pleadings. OR (b) A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/) and in an appropriate field of study as described elsewhere in this announcement OR (c) A combination of experience and education equaling 100% of the qualifications To qualify at the GS-11 grade level: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level by the closing date of this announcement. Specialized experience must be at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector. Creditable specialized experience include: Searching, analyzing and actively using online data and public filings, processing systems and other records maintained by government entities throughout the country to determine the status of various litigation and other matters. Assisting in the evaluation, development and litigation of EEO, personnel, labor, and contract cases for clients. Participate in court and administrative hearings on employee complaints, appeals, protests, investigations and arbitrations, depending on specific assignment. Investigating, gathering, classifying, interpreting and summarizing the factual situation, including any necessary statistical data which involves interviewing witnesses, collecting documents and statements, and compiling case files. Researching independently and briefing assigned attorney(s) with relevant facts, supportive legal standards and case law. Establishing, coordinating, maintaining, and closing of litigation and other files. Filing motions and pleadings OR (b) A Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education (https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/) and in an appropriate field of study as described elsewhere in this announcement. OR (c) A combination of experience and education equaling 100% of the qualifications You will receive credit for all relevant qualifying experience (paid and unpaid), including volunteer work done through National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Physical requirements: Work is sedentary and the incumbent usually sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some physical activity such as walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items such as papers and books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. As part of the online application process, you will respond to a series of questions designed to evaluate your level of experience in the position's competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics). Communications Legal, Government and Jurisprudence Minimum Qualifications- GS 9 Minimum Qualifications GS-11 Reasoning Overtime: Occasional Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Non-Exempt Bargaining Unit Status: Covered Obligated Position: No Those retired under CSRS or FERS considered: No. DoD criteria not met. Work environment: Work involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical offices and meeting rooms. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated Recruitment/Relocation Incentives Offered: No Telework eligible: Yes - as determined by the agency policy Remote work eligible: No Education ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? You MUST provide transcripts and/or other documentation to support your educational claims. Transcripts. REQUIRED when using education to meet qualifications or when education is required. Foreign education may be qualifying if a private organization specializing in interpreting foreign education programs has deemed the foreign education equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program or a U.S. accredited college or university has given full credit for the foreign courses. Unofficial transcripts from U.S. Department of Education accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions listing your name, the name of the school, the date and degree awarded, and the list of classes and credits earned are acceptable for the application process. If selected, official transcripts are required before a firm job offer is made. A photocopy of your degree/diploma is not acceptable. When relying on foreign education, submit transcripts and a copy of the equivalency evaluation results letter with a course-by-course listing. Documents must be in English or include an English translation. The hiring employer for this position does not evaluate degrees from foreign colleges or universities. Additional Information Executive Order 12564 requires a federal workplace to be free of illegal drugs and prohibits the use of illegal drugs both on and off duty by federal employees. As a reminder, marijuana is still classified as an illegal drug by the Federal government and is prohibited for use by Federal employees even if such use is legal in the state where the Federal employee resides and/or works. The Defense Commissary Agency is a Drug-Free Federal Workplace where the use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated and may result in penalties up to and including removal from Federal service. Upon first appointment to a civilian position in the Federal government, you are entitled only to the lowest step (Step 1) of the grade for which selected. The display of a salary range on this announcement does not suggest or convey an entitlement to a higher rate of pay. The minimum age requirement is generally 18 years. Employing those under 18 may be possible under certain circumstances. If under 18 years of age, ensure you provide documentation showing how you are eligible. Applicants with financial difficulty are not automatically removed from consideration. Selectees are required to complete an online onboarding process. Retired military service members cannot be appointed to a Department of Defense (DoD) civilian position within 180 days of their retirement date. 5 United States Code 3326. PCS Is Authorized: Most civilian PCS entitlements are now taxable. The Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA) reimburses eligible employees for additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income. More information is available at Civilian Relocation/PCS Tax Changes. The following may result in a rating of ineligible. Ineligible applicants receive no consideration. Submitting an incomplete application package may result in your not being considered for this position. Your resume must reflect that you are either Part-Time with the number of hours listed, Full Time, or 40 hours per week as your work schedule. If you fail to provide this information in your resume, your resume will be considered as incomplete. Submitting encrypted documents or uploading Adobe portfolio documents. Submitting any document that contains a photo or image of you. Including social media links, inappropriate material or content, classified or government sensitive information, or personal information such as age, gender, race, religion, or social security number on your resume. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or questionnaire responses. Deliberately attempting to falsify your application information, such as copying portions of this announcement into your resume.