Summary The position is located in the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board, Western Regional Office - Oakland, California. The office is responsible for adjudicating appeals filed by Federal employees. The incumbent of this position serves as a Paralegal Specialist responsible for assisting in the processing and adjudication of those appeals, as well as providing administrative support to the office. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The work requires discretion and independent judgment in the application of a specialized body of laws, regulations, agency policies and practices, and judicial/administrative proceedings. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Prepares cases for hearing, including writing synopses of issues and noting case file deficiencies, researching legal issues, assisting at teleconferences and hearings, and drafting orders. Initiates inquiries regarding case processing and responds to appeal inquiries on behalf of the Administrative Judges (AJs) of the office. Drafts initial decisions, involving dismissals because of lack of jurisdiction and/or untimely filing, settlements, and other similar appeals. Performs legal research, analyzing legal decisions, questions, opinions, rulings, and other issues affecting appeals. Performs research from reference sources including various titles of the United States Code, Code of Federal Regulations, Westlaw, and Board decisions. Manages the office library, reviewing relevant new materials and abstracting important decisions and points of law for circulation to administrative judges. Responds to oral and written requests from other Board offices, Congressional offices, the public, appellants and their representatives, and agency representatives, concerning potential, pending and past appeals and general Board procedures. Analyzes and evaluates initial appeals, determining timeliness and jurisdictional issues and hearing requirements. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants resume must describe three years of progressively responsible experience, with one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04) Interpreting law regulations and policies; Performing legal preliminary investigation and fact-finding; Using automation to create research reports, legal and non-legal correspondence. OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION FOR THE GS-05: Four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Practical knowledge of a body of laws and related rules, regulations, and precedents involved in Federal employee appeals and litigation relating to Federal employment; Skill in interpreting and applying them to varying situations; skill in evaluating the relevancy of precedents and summarizing pertinent data on issues; Skill in researching and maintaining legal databases using electronic resources; Skill in communicating with others in order to exchange legal information; Skill in problem analysis and problem solving sufficient to communicate in the style and mode appropriate for work at the level of an appeals court. OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION FOR THE GS-07: Applicants may qualify based upon the completion of 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement leading to such a degree in a closely related field as Paralegal Studies or Legal Studies. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Practical knowledge of a body of laws and related rules, regulations, and precedents involved in Federal employee appeals and litigation relating to Federal employment; Skill in interpreting and applying them to varying situations; skill in evaluating the relevancy of precedents and summarizing pertinent data on issues; Skill in researching and maintaining legal databases using electronic resources; Skill in communicating with others in order to exchange legal information; Skill in problem analysis and problem solving sufficient to communicate in the style and mode appropriate for work at the level of an appeals court. OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION FOR THE GS-09: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a closely related field such as Paralegal Studies or Legal Studies. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Practical knowledge of a body of laws and related rules, regulations, and precedents involved in Federal employee appeals and litigation relating to Federal employment; Skill in interpreting and applying them to varying situations; skill in evaluating the relevancy of precedents and summarizing pertinent data on issues; Skill in researching and maintaining legal databases using electronic resources; Skill in communicating with others in order to exchange legal information; Skill in problem analysis and problem solving sufficient to communicate in the style and mode appropriate for work at the level of an appeals court. OR EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION FOR THE GS-11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in a closely related field such as Paralegal Studies or Legal Studies. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5/7/9/11 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. This position is being concurrently announced under Case Exam Announcement Number DE-12472669-24-WE. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: 1-800-877-8339. MSPB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER and employment decisions are based on merit factors only. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in an employment decision by this agency, you have the right to seek counseling to resolve your complaint. You must do so within 45 days of the alleged discrimination action. If you desire to seek counseling, call the MSPB Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at 202 653-6772, Ext 4405.
