The Senior Paralegal Specialist performs substantive legal duties in support of NNSA/NA-LA. Duties include: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act review/coordination; Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP) liaison; NA-LA liaison for external auditing groups such as OIG, GAO, or U.S. Department of Labor; NNSA ethics reviews/file management; LANL litigation coordination, invoice reviews, and use of the Litigation Management Tracking System (LMTS).
Summary
The Senior Paralegal Specialist performs substantive legal duties in support of NNSA/NA-LA. Duties include: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act review/coordination; Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP) liaison; NA-LA liaison for external auditing groups such as OIG, GAO, or U.S. Department of Labor; NNSA ethics reviews/file management; LANL litigation coordination, invoice reviews, and use of the Litigation Management Tracking System (LMTS).
Perform legal analysis of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) requests under the provisions of applicable statutes and determines if documents or segregable portions can be released. Reviews proposed FOIA responses submitted by the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) contractor for accuracy, coordinates final responses with the NNSA FOIA Officer/team, and performs related support.
Serve as NA-LA's liaison for the DOE Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICP). Coordinates and integrates EEOICP activities resulting from claims filed by current or former employees of LANL, follows up on DOE/NNSA or Department of Labor data requests as needed, and performs related support.
Serve as NA-LA's liaison with external auditing groups and agencies such as the Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), and other entities as needed. Handles management referral process for NA-LA and coordinates with LANL. Receives requests for management to investigate or review anonymous hotline reports or written allegations of potential waste, fraud, or abuse by LANL employees, brings substantive issues to the attention of management, coordinates referrals to management or LANL as appropriate, consolidates and develops responses, and closes out actions.
Provide oversight support for LANL contractor litigation, reviews litigation reports, tracks contractor outside attorney costs, conducts reviews of contractor legal invoices to assess accuracy/compliance, prepares correspondence for the contracting officer/counsel as needed, and coordinates with NNSA General Counsel and NA-LA staff attorneys on issues as appropriate. Compiles, maintains, and prepares litigation reports using the agency's Litigation Management Tracking System (LMTS). Supports other litigation related functions as needed.
Support NNSA/NA-LA ethics program officials, identifies and provides appropriate DOE/NNSA ethics guidelines/federal regulations, assists ethics counselors in addressing staff questions, and serves as a local system administrator for the Department's Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE 450) system. Helps NNSA attorneys prepare ethics documents (e.g., recusals, 5 C.F.R. 2635.502 authorizations, post-employment restrictions, etc.), conducts research as needed to support legal opinions on various matters of agency interest, and performs related duties as required.
Must be able to obtain/maintain a Q level Security Clearance.
You must be a United States Citizen.
This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
Compliance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD-12) governing personal identity which will require that you provide two forms of identification.
May be required to successfully complete a one (1) year probationary period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
Please limit your resume to no more than two (2) pages. If more than two pages are submitted, you will be disqualified.
Probationary periods are required for new employees appointed to competitive service positions for the first time; or reinstated employees who return to Federal service after a break in service of 30-days or more and who have not completed a probationary period will need to complete the requirement. Trial periods are required for all excepted service employees. Trial periods served in the same position and agency with no break in service will satisfy the requirement.
Qualifications
NQ-2:
To meet qualification requirements for the NQ-2 level (GS-9-11 equivalent), a qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-01 or GS-07/08.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience performing paralegal or legal work demonstrating knowledge of at least 3 of the 5 listed below:
Examines and processes a variety of legal documents.
Analyze and evaluate data responses of complex and sensitive requests.
Prepares briefings, pleadings, litigation recommendations, documents and correspondence.
Search and review legal references and case files.
Provides support and other sources of information and data for attorneys or court personnel.
OR
You may substitute the successful completion of master's or equivalent graduate degree,
OR
2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
A combination of successfully completed education and specialized experience as described in the vacancy announcement. This is computed by determining the total qualifying specialized experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify. Only graduate education in excess of one full year may be used to qualify.
NQ-3:
To meet qualification requirements for the NQ-3 level (GS-13/14 equivalent), a qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower NNSA Demonstration Project pay band or GS grade level in the Federal service, i.e., NQ-02 or GS-12.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience performing paralegal or legal work demonstrating knowledge of at least 4 of the 5 listed below:
Legal research, laws, precedent decisions, regulations, agency policies and practices, judicial or administrative proceedings;
Reviews/coordinates responses to FOIA/Privacy Act requests (or similar requests sought through a state authority).
Manages matters related to the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA), either through the DOE Program, U.S. Department of Labor, or a related state program.
Management and coordination of responses to inquiries by federal or state audit/investigation authorities (e.g., OIG, GAO, or similar state authorities); /state ethics programs and related matters.
Provides liaison support to legal counsel in carrying out their responsibilities.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section. If you are eligible for career transition assistance plans such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the definition of "well qualified" which is defined as having a score of 85 or better.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
NQ-2: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
NQ-3: No education substitution at this grade level.
Additional information
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For more information, please visit the links at the bottom of this page or visit the FedsHireVets website.
More than one selection may be made from this vacancy announcement.
All positions require successful completion of a background investigation.
All males born after December 31,1959 must abide by laws regarding Selective Service registration. To learn more about this law, visit the Selective Service web page, Who Must Register. If you are not registered and don't have an approved exemption, you will not be eligible for employment with the Federal government.
In accordance with Executive Order 14170, applicants are encouraged to respond to the four short, free-response, essay questions in the questionnaire. Answers to these questions are not scored or rated. Your answers will be reviewed by the hiring manager and agency leadership if you are referred for selection consideration.
Information about the NNSA Demonstration project can be found by clicking HERE.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
THE APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE IN TWO STAGES:
Minimum Qualifications: Once the application process is complete, the Human Resources Office will review the first two pages of your resume and supporting documentation to determine whether you meet the minimum job qualifications.
Structured Resume Review: The Human Resources Office/ Subject Matter Expert will review the first two pages of your resume to determine your technical qualifications.
Additional documentation (e.g., cover letter, links embedded in your resume) may not be considered.
A quality review will then be conducted by the HR Office and/or Subject Matter Expert (SME). Your application is rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education (if applicable to the job), and training described in your online resume/questionnaire as related to the duties of this position. The quality categories are usually defined as "Best Qualified", "Well Qualified" and "Qualified". Veterans Preference eligible candidates will be listed at the top of whichever category your score places you in. CP/CPS veterans are placed at the top of the highest category for all positions except professional and scientific positions at GS-9 and higher.
Your application and resume shall demonstrate that you possess the following Competencies. Do not provide a separate narrative written statement. Rather, you must describe in your application how your past work experience demonstrates that you possess the Competencies identified below. Cite specific examples of employment or experience contained in your resume and describe how this experience has prepared you to successfully perform the duties of this position. DO NOT write "see resume" in your application.
Administration and Management
Administrative Law
Audit Reporting
Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence
Writing
If your resume is incomplete or does not support the responses you provided in your online questionnaire, or if you fail to submit all required documentation before the vacancy closes, you may be rated 'ineligible', 'not qualified'.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
ALL APPLICANTS:You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.
Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume may not be considered.
Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements. If selected, it is mandatory that you provide official transcripts.
For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.
NNSA will accept a resume in the format of your choice (as an attached document or as a USAJOBS Resume Builder format). You will be notified at the time you click 'Apply Online' which type of resume is acceptable. It is important that you are complete and thorough in your resume.
If any of the above information is not included in your resume, we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.
Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement:
SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility! Full position title; appointment type; occupational series; pay plan, grade, and step; tenure code; and service computation date (SCD).If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive/excepted service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive/excepted service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that provide the proof of competitive/excepted status and highest grade held on a permanent basis.
If specific educational requirements are indicated for this vacancy:Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. Please see the Education section for more information.
Veterans applying under VEOA: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Los Alamos Field Office
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US
Next steps
Thank you for your interest in employment with DOE. We will notify you of your results once your application is reviewed.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
ALL APPLICANTS:You must submit a resume supporting your specialized experience and responses to the online questionnaire.
Your two (2) page RESUME showing all relevant work experience (paid and unpaid) including: duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
Cover Letter, optional, expressing additional information not covered in your resume may not be considered.
Transcripts, if specific educational requirements are indicated in this job announcement. Unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned (semester or quarter hour) and final grade is acceptable. It is your responsibility to provide adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements. If selected, it is mandatory that you provide official transcripts.
For more information about what to include in your resume, please view this USAJOBS Resume Tutorial video on YouTube.
NNSA will accept a resume in the format of your choice (as an attached document or as a USAJOBS Resume Builder format). You will be notified at the time you click 'Apply Online' which type of resume is acceptable. It is important that you are complete and thorough in your resume.
If any of the above information is not included in your resume, we may not be able to fully credit you for your experience.
Submit one or more of the following to support your eligibility(s) to apply to this job announcement:
SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" (current/former federal employees): To properly verify status eligibility, your SF-50 must show the following. If you do not submit an appropriate SF-50, we cannot verify your status eligibility! Full position title; appointment type; occupational series; pay plan, grade, and step; tenure code; and service computation date (SCD).If your current position SF50 does not indicate you have competitive/excepted service status or does not reflect the pay plan and grade of the highest position you have held in the competitive/excepted service, in addition to your current SF50, you must provide your previous SF-50s that provide the proof of competitive/excepted status and highest grade held on a permanent basis.
If specific educational requirements are indicated for this vacancy:Documentation verifying your educational claims which can include unofficial transcripts or any report listing institution, course title, credits earned and final grade. Please see the Education section for more information.
Veterans applying under VEOA: DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; current active duty members- certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter. For more information visit the USAJOBS Help Center & OPM CHCOC website for VOW information.
Failure to submit any of the above-mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the announcement closing date to receive consideration.
To begin the application process in USAJOBS, click the Apply Online button.
Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all required and supporting documentation.
You must click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 pm (ET) on the announcement closing date.
You may update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by returning to your USAJOBS account, select Update Application: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
To verify the status of your application, during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account; applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each application status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.
If you need help with login.gov or USAJOBS (e.g., account access, Resume Builder) visit the USAJOBS Help Center: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/
Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Agency Contact listed on this vacancy announcement.
If you experience difficulty applying on USAJOBS, after clicking the Apply Online button, or you are experiencing a significant hardship hindering your ability to apply online, the Agency Contact listed in the announcement can assist you during normal business hours. If you receive any system error messages, take screenshots if possible, to aid technical support.
Los Alamos Field Office
24600 20th St SE
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5507
US
Next steps
Thank you for your interest in employment with DOE. We will notify you of your results once your application is reviewed.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated.
You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings.
You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
