Duties

Summary

This Job Opportunity Announcement may be used to fill other Paralegal Specialist, GS-950-11/12 FPL 12 positions within the Office of the Secretary in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Office of the General Counsel, Department of Commerce is looking for a personable and detail-oriented individual who has an interest in the regulatory process and will enjoy working in a friendly, mission-driven organization to join the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation as a paralegal.

The open position is for a paralegal to support approximately six attorneys in the Office's Regulatory Division and to assist in the administration of the Department's regulatory program. The Regulatory Division is responsible for the review and clearance of regulations from across the Department of Commerce. The core responsibilities of the paralegal position are to support these activities by managing the workflow of regulations handled by the Division and to enter, track, and organize various data associated with these regulations.

The ideal candidate for the position will have a keen attention to detail; possess superior organization, communication, and multi-tasking skills; and an ability to analyze, track and present data in various formats.

The candidate should also be familiar with a range of software tools (including MS Word and Excel) and be comfortable performing a variety of computer-related functions, including entry of data into and maintenance of databases. The candidate must be able to analyze data from both emails and public websites and enter the relevant details into databases in a succinct format that contains the key relevant information.

Candidates should also possess superior communication skills for conveying business process information to those interacting with the Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation from other parts of the Department of Commerce.

Previous experience working in a legal office is desirable, as is familiarity with legal citations and basic legal research. Experience with federal regulations or the regulatory process is a plus, but not required.

Although the principal responsibilities of the position are to support the legal and organizational needs of the Regulatory Division, the candidate should be prepared to work on other matters as needed, including helping track legislative matters handled by the Office and handling administrative matters as a backup to the Office's administrative specialist.

• Develops, maintain and updates systems for filing and tracking information pertaining to the rulemaking process.
• Acts as coordinator with regulatory contacts for units of the Department to obtain information on upcoming rulemaking documents.
• Reviews descriptions of rulemaking actions submitted by regulatory contacts and summarizes information in prescribed format for submissions to OMB as required by Executive Order 12866.
• Receives draft and final regulatory documents prepared by other units of the Department, examines documents to ascertain that required information and analyses are attached, identifies inconsistencies in data submitted for review, and analyzes documents to determine course of action to follow in order to assist attorneys in review of the documents.
• Enters pertinent data into a regulatory tracking system and uses such system to prepare a regulatory checklist sheet and track progress of regulatory actions.
• Assigns rulemaking action to appropriate reviewing attorney, notes deficiencies in the incoming materials, and tracks the review process.
• Maintains a file for each rulemaking action and enters appropriate information into the regulatory tracking systems as the document moves through the review process.
• Acts as file custodian. Maintains all regulatory files including files pertaining to information and guidelines on the regulatory review process, reports generated for the mission, Federal Registers, and tracking systems.
• Conducts legal research on LEXIS or Westlaw as assigned by attorneys on legal issues related to regulations or administrative procedure.
• Communicates results of reviews of rulemaking documents to responsible employees of the agency, in the reviewing attorney's absence.
• Coordinates and assists in the preparation of the Department's portion of the Semi-Annual Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions.
• Acts as liaison to the Regulatory Information Service Center when necessary, obtaining Regulatory Identifier Numbers (RINs) for upcoming rulemaking documents to be issued by units of the Department.
• Performs a variety of other tasks relating to or in support of the professional legal work carried out by the Office, including providing administrative and secretarial support and assisting with legislative paralegal duties as needed.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12 - If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you may be non-competitively promoted if you perform successfully and if recommended by management.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a suitable for Federal employment.
• You must be a U.S. citizen.
• You must be registered for Selective Service if applicable (www.sss.gov).
• Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date .

• A one year probationary period may be required.
• Payment of relocation expenses is not authorized.
• Time-in-grade/band requirements must be met by the closing date (if applicable) of the announcement unless eligible for special hiring authority, reinstatement eligible, non-current Federal employee applying as a VEOA eligible which do not require time-in-grade/band.

Security Clearance: N/A. However, you must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate background/ suitability & fitness check for a Non-Sensitive, Moderate Risk position.

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution is equivalent to U.S. education standards with your resume. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.

Note: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree, or college course work. An official college transcript will be required before you can report to duty.

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 .

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 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.

GS-11:

Specialized Experience: You must possess one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is

• Reviewing and evaluating legal documents; AND
• Utilizing Excel and customized databases, or other appropriate software, for data entry, tracking, maintenance and record keeping.

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., if related

OR

Combination of education and experience as indicated above.

GS-12:

Specialized Experience: You must possess one year of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that has equipped you with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Specialized experience is

• Providing analytic and/or legal research support to legal staff or other professionals; AND
• Utilizing Excel and customized databases, or other appropriate software, for data entry, tracking, maintenance and record keeping; AND
• Presenting and conveying information clearly from a variety of sources, both orally and in writing

Education

There is no positive education requirement for this position.

Additional information

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 CTAP/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.

The following links provide information on various hiring authorities that you may qualify:

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)

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

We will review your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation (transcripts if applicable) to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the position. If you meet the minimum qualifications stated in the vacancy announcement, we will compare your resume, optional cover letter and supporting documentation to your responses on the scored occupational questionnaire that you completed as part of the application. However, your resume or optional cover letter must support your responses to the occupational questions, or your score will be lowered. The best-qualified candidates will be identified for referral to the hiring manager and may be invited for an interview.

The scored occupational questionnaire will evaluate you on the following competencies; please do not provide a separate written response:

All Grades:

• Ability to use Excel, customized databases, or other software products to maintain records and to enter, track, manipulate and present data.
• Ability to analyze documents to fact-find, identify and suggest solutions.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to use information and data from a variety of sources to create reports.

GS-12 ONLY:

• Ability to conduct legal research in support to legal or other professionals.

If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..) Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and awards in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3), during the interview/selection process conducted by the hiring manager.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Moderate Risk (MR)

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

Resume showing relevant experience; cover letter optional. Your resume must indicate your citizenship and if you are registered for Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/59. Your resume must include information about your paid and nonpaid work experience related to this position including: job title, duration of employment (mm/dd/yy - mm/dd/yy), hours per week, duties and accomplishments, salary, and your education. For work in the Federal service, please include the grade level for the position/s. Your resume may be used to validate your responses to the scored occupational questionnaire.

SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action," showing tenure code, position occupied, and highest grade and step.

If applicable, performance appraisals and/or Incentive award documentation may be submitted and will be forwarded to the selecting official as support in consideration of your application in the evaluation process. To receive due weight, you must submit a recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable (do not submit a performance plan) and/or incentive award documentation (i.e. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increases, etc..)

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) documentation, if applicable. For more information, please go to: www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp#6 .

Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) documentation if applicable (see other information).

Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment, (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.).

Education. If this position requires proof of higher education, you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website. You MUST provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation by the closing date of the announcement will result in lost consideration.

You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.

Failure to provide such documents when requested may result in lost consideration.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.