Paralegal Specialist (Recent Graduate) - Natural Resources Section

About the role

This position is located in the Natural Resources Section (NRS), Energy and Natural Resources Division. NRS handles litigation arising under more than 80 natural resource, environmental, and cultural resource statutes, various treaties and international agreements, interstate compacts, and congressional referrals.

This is an excepted service appointment under the DOJ Pathways Recent Graduates Program. The incumbent will provide paralegal support to the Section's attorneys.

What you will do

• Performing research in various databases including Westlaw, PACER and Lexis; performing cite checks pursuant to The Bluebook, compiling legislative histories; proofreading and editing legal briefs and memoranda prior to filing in court; and ensuring conformance of documents to applicable court rules.
• Performing document management, including creating and maintaining litigation databases.
• Organizing and writing synopses of factual materials; summarizing depositions; preparing, organizing, and indexing administrative records; and preparing non-legal memoranda.
• Providing assistance at hearings and/or trials, for example, preparing exhibits, coordinating travel and trial logistics, and running presentation software during trial.
• Position MAY be converted to a term or permanent appointment if the following are met: Successful completion of at least 1 year of continuous service, Completion of at least 40 hours of formal interactive training, and Demonstration of successful job performance.
• A recent graduate converted to a term appointment may be subsequently converted non-competitively into a permanent position.
• Recent Graduates are on a trial period for the duration of the program.
• An Individual Development Plan (IDP) must be completed and approved by the supervisor within 45 days of appointment and a mentor must be assigned within 60 days of appointment

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see *** Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials.

More information may be found at *** All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. ***

How you will be evaluated

Your qualifications will be reviewed based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents) and the responses you provide on the application questionnaire. When addressing the education and/or specialized experience qualification statement, you must present evidence of that education and/or experience in your resume.

Note: If the specialized experience statement is merely repeated in your resume, you may be deemed ineligible. If you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will then be compared to your responses to the online assessment questionnaire(s) that measure important competencies required to perform the job.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Based on your assessment responses, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified.

Within each category, Veteran Preference eligibles will be listed at the top of that category and will receive selection priority over non-veterans.

Applicants in the Best Qualified category are referred to the hiring official for employment consideration. *Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available within 90 days after the HR office issues the selection certificate.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: ***

Documents you must provide

• Official position title; Employer name and contact information; Start and end dates (month and year); A detailed list of duties & accomplishments, Your highest salary (or Federal grade/step) achieved; and Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time.
• Additional required documents must be submitted by the closing date of the job announcement.
• Documentation requirements may vary from applicant to applicant based on your eligibility claims.
• It is your responsibility to carefully review the list below to determine which documents are required for your application.
• To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Resume (not to exceed two pages) Cover letter (optional) Unofficial school transcripts displaying that a degree was conferred Documentation to support your claim for veteran preference and, if applicable Your online responses to the Occupational Questionnaire School Transcripts: You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
• Your transcript must come from a nationally-accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
• Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection.
• These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.
• If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education.
• Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.
• If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit: A copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service, OR A certification letter from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted.
• This letter must contain (a) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date and (b) character of service.
• If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference as a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit all additional proof required by the SF-15, and if applicable, a completed SF-15.
• For more information on each type of Veterans Preference, and the documentation required for each, see FedsHireVets.
• Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume: Classified or government sensitive information Social Security Number (SSN) Photos of yourself Personal information, such as age, religious affiliation, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate content, you may not be considered for this vacancy.

What to expect next

Based on your application and your responses to the application questionnaire, you may be presented with instructions on how to access the USA Hire system to complete the online assessments. The online assessments must be completed within 48 hours following the close of this announcement.

You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation for the assessment should you have a disability covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments.

To be considered for the position, you must meet all qualification requirements. Based on your qualifications and assessment scores, you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.

Additional information

Veterans Preference: If you are entitled to or claim veteran preference (VP), you should indicate the type of veteran preference (5 or 10 points) you are claiming on your resume.

In order to determine your eligibility, you can find additional information at: *** To verify your veteran preference entitlement, submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214; official statement of service from your command if you are currently on active duty; or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.

If you are claiming 10-point preference, you must submit Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reserve side of the SF-15, Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference.

If you are claiming 10-point DERIVED PREFERENCE as a relative you must submit Member Copy 4 of the veteran's DD-214 and an SF-15 in addition to the supporting documentation required and identified on the reverse side of the SF-15. If you fail to do so, you will receive consideration as a non-veteran.

Benefits: DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

General Employment Information: DOJ EEO STATEMENT: Find our EEO statement online at: *** SELECTIVE SERVICE: Additional information is found at: ***