This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/524712700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
This vacancy announcement will be open from 02/15/2019 to 02/25/2019 or when 150 applications have been received. The vacancy will close on whichever day the first of these conditions are met. If the application limit is reached on the same day the announcement opened, the open and close date will be the same. Candidates are encouraged to read the entire announcement before submitting their application packages.
Learn more about this agency02/15/2019 to 02/25/2019
$45,972 - $59,762 per year
GS 07
No
Occasional travel - Occasional travel may be required.
No
Term - This is a TERM appointment with the option to renew after 14 months, up to a period of 4 years.
Full-time - Full-Time, Competitive Service
Competitive
09
No
No
BC-AP-2019-0001
524712700
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
This position is open to all qualified US citizens.
Paralegals have the opportunity to become familiar with the legal and economic methodology used by attorneys in the Federal Trade Commission during the course of various investigations and litigation. Specifically, Honors Paralegals in the Commission will be expected to perform the following duties:
Performs research using section or attorney files, library references files, corporate records, private and governmental studies, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources, to supply factual information for inclusion in memoranda, briefs, and similar documents.Uses electronic databases to assist in factual and/or legal research; encodes substantive case materials; retrieves and analyzes materials through data searches.
Writes and/or edits interview reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, citations, etc., discovered during the course of research.
Prepares table of contents, indexes and table of authorities for legal briefs, memoranda, and other such documents; reviews and researches citations, footnotes, textual references and other entries for accuracy.
Digests substantive materials or transcripts of testimony from investigational hearings and/or depositions; indexes documents in accordance with legal categories determined by the attorney to whom assigned.
Assists attorneys in conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses to gather information useful in assessing the impact of regulations on industries; Organizes, maintains and/or archives files (interrogatories, document requests, requests for admission, objections, motions, affidavits, general correspondence, exhibits, etc.) for case team members throughout the course of an investigation or litigation; Tracks materials to be used as exhibits in administrative proceedings and federal court trials.
Coordinates various support services as required by attorneys assigned to a case (i.e. requesting court reporters, shipping materials, coordinating with litigation support, etc.)
Assists in court proceedings, traveling to trial site (when necessary), investigational hearings, depositions, etc., in support of attorneys and case team during the course of investigation and/or litigation.
Performs research using library references, corporate records, government policy, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources and collect and analyze agency data to supply factual information to agency leadership, aid in the drafting of new policy, and inform memoranda, briefs, and other documents.
Writes and/or edits briefing reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, and citations discovered during the course of research; assist in responding to recommendations made by the Office of the Inspector General; take minutes of meetings.
Drafts/edits weekly report to the Executive Director/Chairman; create and manage dashboards.
Plan and attend agency-wide and office training events; successfully complete acquisitions training and serve as a Contracting Officer’s Representative managing agency contracts; learn about risk management strategies and resources and use various tool sets to resolve risk-related issues.
Help to lead various teams and working groups; aid in modernization projects ranging from web design and facilities to IT; create spreadsheets and give presentations; schedule appointments for agency leadership and assist with other administrative tasks.
All applicants must apply through USAJOBS.gov
GS-7 Level Qualifications
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: Assisting with investigations and litigation of antitrust and consumer protection matters, conducting legal and relevant industry research, producing written and oral reports based on interviews, research and data analysis.
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.
OR
Have 1 full year of graduate education
OR
Have Superior Academic Achievement
S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.
1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.
2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:
a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or
b. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum
OR
Have equivalent combinations of graduate education and experience.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection safeguard’s America’s consumers from unfair, deceptive, and fraudulent practices. The Bureau investigates, litigates, conducts rule-making proceedings, hosts public events, and educates the public. The Bureau’s work includes halting fraud, enforcing truth-in-advertising laws, safeguarding consumers’ privacy and data security, and stopping abusive financial practices. Honors Paralegals within the Bureau work with attorneys, and may review consumer complaints, interview witnesses, assess trends, gather evidence, conduct research, assist in litigation, analyze financial data, review public comments, and assist with public events.
The Bureau of Competition's Honors Paralegal Program has expanded to over 20 paralegals, attracting motivated and dedicated individuals from across the country. Honors Paralegals work on both merger and conduct-related investigations with staff attorneys, economists and financial analysts across the Bureau, and have the opportunity to work on a case from the initial stages of an investigation through litigation in federal and administrative courts. The Bureau of Competition considers its Honors Paralegal Program to be an unqualified success, allowing the Bureau to spread its resources more broadly and efficiently. Those who have participated in the program have found it to be a rewarding opportunity to learn about a career in law, economics, and public policy. The distinguished group of Honors Paralegal alumni have gone on to attend graduate programs and start careers in public policy, law, and business, among others.
Honors Paralegals in the Office of the Executive Director work with agency experts in budget and finance, human capital, information technology, records, and facilities to help run the FTC on a day-to-day basis and ensure that it remains one of the Best Places to work in the Federal Government. OED Honors Paralegals gain experience in government budgeting, performance assessment, project management, risk management, and planning. The varied and challenging assignments of this position include: analyzing data; researching government policy, regulations, and requirements; drafting policies, compliance reports, and responses to audit findings; creating excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations; and helping to lead teams. In the course of working in this position, OED Honors Paralegals will learn about Information Technology governance, data security, privacy, cybersecurity, regulatory compliance in the federal government, and what it takes to run a well-regarded federal agency.
The Office of the General Counsel is the Commission's chief legal officer and adviser. The Office's major functions are representing the Commission in federal courts of appeals and providing legal counsel and policy advice to the five Commissioners, the operating Bureau's, and other Offices. Honors Paralegals withing the Office will work with attorneys, and may review assess policy trends, conduct research, assist in litigation, rulemaking procedures, and information sharing requests from the public, and assist with speeches and seminars put on by the office.
Click here for Additional Information, information for Displaced Federal Employees, and information on Special Hiring Authorities.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
To determine if you are qualified for this position, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire, qualifications and eligibility requirements listed in the vacancy announcement. If after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation a determination is made that you have inflated your education, qualifications and/or experience, your rating will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities.
If you meet the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories:
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position.
To help you ensure your application fully outlines your qualifications and eligibility for this position, please submit the following documentation as appropriate. Some of the items listed may not apply to you.
APPLICATION PACKAGE CHECKLIST
The following information is required of all applicants:
__ Announcement number, title, and grade(s) of the position
__ Full name, mailing address (including zip code) and day and evening phone numbers (with area code)
__ Social security number
__ Statement that you are a U.S. citizen
__ Cover letter
__
__ Copy of DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) (only if claiming veteran's preference)
__ SF-15 (Application for 10-point Veteran's Preference) plus the support documentation required by this form (if claiming 10-point veteran's preference)
__ Paid and non-paid work experience related to the position. For each period of Work experience include:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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.
Individuals applying for this announcement are required to complete and submit an online application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. The information you provide in USAJOBS is general information completed by all candidates. That information and your resume will become part of your application and will automatically be transferred to FT-SEE when you apply online. The submission of anything other than the below online application will result in you not being considered for this job. If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, please contact us. Applicants must contact us at 202-326-2021 prior to the closing date to speak to someone who can provide assistance for online submission. Requests for extensions will not be granted.
There are several parts of the application process that will affect your overall evaluation:
1. Your online resume (See Step 1 below).
2. Your responses to the eligibility questions.
3. Your responses to the vacancy specific self-assessment questions.
4. Submission of supporting documentation (See instructions under the "Required Documentation" section of this posting. You have until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following four-step application process:
STEP 1: To apply, you must first register on USAJOBS at www.usajobs.opm.gov and have at least one resume associated with your account. Your online resume must be built using the USAJOBS resume builder or you can upload an existing resume from your computer. You must submit a resume to be considered for this position. Once you have completed the registration process, thoroughly review this vacancy announcement and then select the "Apply Online" button and follow the instructions provided.
STEP 2: After selecting a resume to submit with your application package, you will be taken to FT-SEE to answer questions related to your experience and vacancy specific questions. The answers to the questions are necessary to evaluate your qualifications for the specific job to which you are applying. When completed, the information you provided through USAJOBS and the answers to the FT-SEE questions will become your application.
STEP 3: Review your resume to make certain that it supports your responses to the questions. Once you submit your online application, you will see a screen telling you that your application has been successfully transmitted. If you do not receive this confirmation, you have not successfully completed your application.
STEP 4: Submit Supporting Documentation, as necessary. NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Please click this link: What to Expect Next.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/524712700. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
OUR MISSION: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces a variety of federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. The Commission seeks to ensure that the Nation's markets function competitively and are vigorous, efficient, and free of undue restrictions. The Commission also works to enhance the smooth operation of the marketplace by eliminating acts or practices that are unfair or deceptive. Finally, the Commission undertakes economic analysis to support its law enforcement efforts and to contribute to the policy deliberations of the Congress, the Executive Branch, other independent agencies, and state and local governments when requested.