Paralegal Specialist

Paralegal Specialist

This position is located in the Office of the Secretary (OS), Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). As a Paralegal Specialist, the incumbent will serve as the senior technical specialist for docket administration and the procedural requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, and independently handles the most complex, novel, and sensitive filings and procedural matters presented to the Commission. If selected, you will provide legal assistance, information processing, and administrative support for the Commission's adjudicative proceedings, the Docket Activity Library, and the electronic docket on the Commission's website. The incumbent:

• Screens and directs telephone calls and e-mail messages to the appropriate person(s), office(s), or bureau(s). Answers routine questions concerning Commission activities, operations, and the status of docketed proceedings by consulting official records, the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assigns official docket numbers in accordance with established procedures. Processes and circulates motions, petitions, pleadings, comments, and request for documents.
• Updates electronic status logs and spreadsheets that document and track filings and actions, and timely posts logs and documents (e.g., pleadings, filings and orders) to the Commission's website in accordance with established indexing conventions.
• Establishes and maintains formal hearing and exhibit files for review by the public and other interested parties.
• Tracks and maintains a calendar of docketed proceedings and alerts the Secretary or Assistant Secretary to approaching deadlines for Commission action.
• Participates in assigned training in the Shipping Act of 1984, as amended; the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure; Federal Register and procedures; legal research and citation; and the statutes administered by the OS, including FOIA, the Privacy Act, the Congressional Review Act (CRA), and the Government in the Sunshine Act. Recommends improvements to procedures and SOPs based on experience with assigned work.