Paralegal Specialist

Summary

About the Position: Serve as technical authority, performing work which is characterized by a depth and variety of problem-solving analysis, interpretation, and evaluation associated with the resolution of complicated legal matters.

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Duties

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• Review Record and Non-record Title Evidence for compliance with applicable standards of the Corps of Engineers and the Department of Justice.
• Conduct public records research and reviews conveyance and mortgage records in order to ascertain title ownership data and to identify encumbrances and liens on property. Reviews county tax assessment rolls.
• Identify and drafts legal instruments, such as releases, disclaimers, and subordination documents for the Reviewing Attorney.
• Work with counsel to cure title, remove encumbrances, and obtain lien releases on property. Drafts conveyance documents for closings.
• Assist attorneys in drafting documents (e.g., assurances, grants of right-of-entry, Closing Documents, Escrow Agreements) to ensure compliance with policy, regulations, legislative authority, and overall legal sufficiency.
• Use automated systems to complete the following tasks; travel, timekeeping, procurement of supplies, services, and equipment, and receiving reports. Distributes, coordinates and tracks attorney workflow.
• Provide legal assistance and general support to staff attorneys with the preparation, research, development, and maintenance of files for cases in support of litigation in the matter of contract claims and appeals, and other civil litigation.
• Assist the FOIA Coordinator with receiving, examining, processing, researching, analyzing and evaluating requests for information FOIA and Privacy Acts, including initiating letters in response to requests.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
• This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 10% of the time.

Qualifications

Who May Apply : Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
• Reinstatement

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) reviewing real estate title documents and legal descriptions; AND 2) preparing real estate closing documents, such as deeds, easements, lien releases, or affidavits. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-09).

OR

Education : Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience : A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.

Time in Grade Requirement: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit:

Additional information

• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
• This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In making this determination, the agency may consider your performance and conduct; agency needs and interests; whether your continued employment supports organizational or Government goals; and whether it promotes the efficiency of the Federal service. Continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Direct deposit of pay is required.
• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.
• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.
• This is a Legal Career Field position.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.
• Payment of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs is not authorized, based on a determination that a PCS move is not in the Government interest.
• A Relocation, Recruitment, Student Loan Repayment, Advance in Hire or Advance Leave Accrual incentive may be authorized if it is in the best interest of the government.
• Position may be filled as a Term Appointment NTE 6 years. Term appointments may be extended beyond of six (6) years, up to eight (8) years. With DoD approval, term appointments may be extended beyond eight (8) years.
• Current permanent Federal employees (to include permanent Army employees) applying for a Term Appointment will be appointed/converted into a Term Appointment with no statutory return rights back to a permanent position.
• Current, Permanent Army employees that are eligible and would like to be considered for a time-limited promotion, reassignment or change to lower grade not to exceed (NTE) [specific date or number of months and/or years] will need to apply to Announcement # CERH-26-13004914-MP at the following link:
• Term Appointments may be converted to permanent without further competition should it become available and the employee has completed 2 years with 2 fully successful performance ratings.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.