Paralegal Specialist at Office of General Counsel

As a Paralegal Specialist, the incumbent independently evaluates, reviews, analyzes and performs substantive technical legal analysis on complex cases in which the Agency must defend and/or bring claim against third parties under various Federal laws such as the Federal Claims Collection Act, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and other privacy acts. The position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

This position has job functions that must be executed within San Francisco, CA. The official duty station is a federal facility, leased space, or an alternative worksite (typically the employee’s home) within the specified geographic area. You will be expected to report to a specific GSA duty location at least two or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the agency’s telework policy.

We are currently filling one vacancy, but additional vacancies may be filled as needed.

• The incumbent provides litigation support services for the office's attorneys for cases pending before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals, and the General Accountability Office.
• Conducts research relating to regulations, statutes, Executive Orders, Comptroller General and Court of Federal Claims’ decisions, and other legal publications, articles, and documents.
• The incumbent conducts legal research, locates and interviews witnesses, obtains statements/affidavits, locates, and assembles evidence relevant to litigation issues, and assembles, labels, and organizes exhibit files for easy reference at hearings.
• Selects, summarizes, and compiles comparative data to examine and evaluate respondent’s deficiencies to provide evidence of practices and patterns.
• Prepares summaries and analyses of research.
• Presents final analysis and recommendations that are legally sound and defendable before a third-party forum.
• Reviews facts and recommends defenses; also calculates amount of money owed to the Government by debtors.
• Prepares and files Proofs of Claim with Bankruptcy Courts where debtor has filed for bankruptcy.
• The incumbent creates and maintains matters in eDiscovery review platforms such as Exterro or other equivalent technologies.
• Processes FOIA requests; researches and analyzes data and FOIA information to respond to requests and develops status reports to support agency reporting requirements; prepares responses to FOIA requesters and agency management as requested; liaises with agency FOIA contact officers, Office of General Counsel, and other agencies on FOIA related matters; conducts research on applicable case law and federal regulations on FOIA requests to resolve issues; uses information technology such as computers in administering and managing information as well as for a wide variety of record keeping, correspondence, and tracking operations throughout the government information management lifecycle.
• Reviews subsequent changes in regulations on the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.
• Updates and advises legal personnel and other relevant departments/divisions of changes.
• Consults and assists in formulation of agency regulations regarding the release of information.
• Serves as the office manager.

• $110,788 - $144,031/year

• US Citizenship or National (Residents of American Samoa and Swains Island)
• Meet all eligibility criteria within 30 days of the closing date
• Meet time-in-grade within 30 days of the closing date, if applicable
• Register with Selective Service if you are a male born after 12/31/1959

If selected, you must meet the following conditions:

• Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or NonCareer SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
• Serve a one year probationary period, if required.
• Undergo and pass a background investigation (Tier 2 investigation level).
• Have your identity and work status eligibility verified if you are not a GSA employee. We will use the Department of Homeland Security’s e-Verify system for this. Any discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of continued employment.

For each job on your resume, provide:

• the exact dates you held each job (from month/year to month/year)
• number of hours per week you worked (if part time).

If you have volunteered your service through a National Service program (e.g., Peace Corps, Americorps), we encourage you to apply and include this experience on your resume.

To qualify, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or higher in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is experience performing paralegal work which required independent research, analysis, and evaluation of facts to prepare reports, exhibits, memoranda, statistical analysis, and other materials required for the litigation of cases. This experience must include reviewing legal documents for substantive and technical accuracy of legal citations and to determine the need for other litigation papers for attorneys; developing and maintaining accurate and efficient management of case load by managing a database of pending and closed cases to ensure accurate description of legal issues, and developing statistical data by reviewing and analyzing financial reports and operating statements.

Bargaining Unit Status: This position is ineligible for the bargaining unit.

Criminal History Inquiries - Not allowed before offer.

Relocation Not Paid.

Travel – May be approved. Travel expenses associated with interviews may be approved. Determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Management Rights: Additional vacancies may be filled through this announcement in this or other GSA organizations within the same commuting area as needed; through other means; or not at all.

Diversity: GSA is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility that goes beyond our compliance with EEO regulations.

Required Documents

ALL required documents must be submitted before the closing date. Review the following list to determine what you need to submit.

Your resume showing applicant's name, email address, work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.

GSA OIG Employees: Submit latest SF 50 (other than award SF 50).

CTAP Eligible - Submit a, b, and c: (a) proof of eligibility including agency notice; (b) SF-50, and (c) most recent performance appraisal.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Submit SF-50.

Submit a complete online application including any required documents prior to 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement. You can modify or complete your application any time before the deadline. Simply return to USAJOBS, select the vacancy, and update your application.

Need Assistance?

• Questions or issues completing an application and/or submitting documentation - contact mgshelp@monster.com or 1-866-656-6831 Monday-Friday 7AM - 7PM EST, except for Federal holidays.
• Specific questions on the position - contact the HR representative (Monday-Friday during normal business hours) listed on the announcement, prior to the application deadline.

You must receive HR approval before deviating from these instructions.

Be sure to APPLY EARLY as most assessments must be completed fully and submitted before the announcement closing.

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. Learn more about federal benefits.

You will have access to many benefits including:

• Health insurance (choose from a wide range of plans)
• Life insurance coverage with several options
• Sick leave and vacation time, including 11 paid holidays per year
• Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k) plan)
• Flexible work schedules
• Transit and child care subsidies
• Flexible spending accounts
• Long-term care insurance
• Training and development

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.