Summary
About the Position: This is a Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-12 position for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Southwestern Division, Tulsa District, Tulsa, Oklahoma. For additional information on USACE Tulsa District click Here
Duties
Incumbent serves as the Paralegal Specialist, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)/Privacy Act Officer, and Law Office Manager in the Tulsa District, Office of Counsel (SWT-OC)
Perform substantive detailed, complex, and independent legal research in complex material (statutes, regulations, case law, etc.), in support of the District Counsel, Deputy District Counsel, or any one of eight Assistant District Counsels.
Frequently works on his/her own initiative to develop innovative solutions to difficult legal problems. Uses a broad spectrum of legal resources, including computer databases and traditional research methods.
Assist attorneys in connection with investigations of actual or potential claims, including those by and against the Government, as permitted by the Federal Tort Claims Act and the Contract Disputes Act.
Draft a wide array of legal documents and filings for the Corps or Department of Justice (DOJ) in all types of litigation.
Select, prepare, identify, mark, and compile exhibits, including visual aids, and provide exhibits to the parties and Judge.
Evaluate the applicability of FOIA exemptions under frequently abstruse or incomplete case law or DOJ guidelines, and develop legal analysis supporting recommended denials for submission to the Initial Denial Authority (IDA).
Assist the District Counsel or designee with the management and the development of the Office of Counsel budget, administrative personnel program, and training program.
Give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), the responses you provide on the application questionnaire, and the result of the online assessments required for this position. 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 Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. Basis for Rating: Qualified candidates will be assigned to one of three quality categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified and Qualified. Veteran preference eligibles are listed ahead of non-preference eligibles within each quality category. Best Qualified. Candidates in this category possess exceptional skills and experience to exceed well above the minimum requirements for the announced position. Highly Qualified. Candidates in this category possess good skills and experience above the minimum requirements for the announced position. Qualified. Candidates in this category meet the minimum experience requirements for the announced position. You may claim Military Spouse preference. You may claim Priority Placement Program (PPP) preference. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP). If you are a Federal employee in the competitive service and your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority for this position. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet ICTAP eligibility criteria (2) be rated well-qualified for the position and; (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your ICTAP eligibility. To be considered well-qualified and receive selection priority applicants must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a score of 90 or above. Additional information about the program is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website.