Paralegal

Summary

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the ODNI provides legal advice and counsel to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and other ODNI officials on a wide range of legal issues to include intelligence and national security law; procurement and acquisition law; personnel law; government ethics, fiscal law; general administrative law; legislative support; government information practices (Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act); and intellectual property law.

Duties

Independently conduct moderately complex research and analysis using all available resources on subjects affecting ODNI's duties and responsibilities under the National Security Act, Presidential directives, Executive Orders, and other related laws and policies; analyze statutes, regulations and other information to determine relevance, accuracy, completeness, inconsistencies, or importance. Respond to routine and moderately complex legal inquiries by drafting legal correspondence and memoranda as well as cables, affidavits, declarations, regulations, bulletins, notices, claims summaries and notices, and summaries of legal research and analysis that are grammatically correct, technically sound, accurate, and concise. Present informal briefings on limited topics to small audiences; prepare slide presentations and statistical data for use by attorneys. Assist with planning, organizing, and coordinating activities related to the preparation and submission of files or documents related to United States (US) Government-wide and IC-wide policies, procedures, guidelines, rules, and standards. Update and maintain databases, files, notebooks, and logs (e.g., case files, trial notebooks, case assignment notebooks) in compliance with pre-existing storage systems and procedures. Complete moderately-complex administrative forms and paperwork and function as a note taker during moderately complex depositions, administrative hearings, trials, or meetings. Develop and maintain productive working relationships with co-workers, clients, and persons outside the organization as appropriate and use these relationships to share information of interest and provide basic legal information.

Qualifications

This is an excepted service GS-14 position open to the public and all current federal employees at the GS-14 and one level below. Current federal employees at the GS-14 and one level below may apply to this position, and if selected will maintain pay set at their current grade and step. Current federal employees at grade levels GS-12 and below are not eligible for this position and their application will not be forwarded to the hiring manager. All current federal employees that apply for this position must submit their most recent SF-50, Notification of Personal Action (i.e., dated within the last 52 weeks from the closing date of this vacancy announcement) to verify their status of eligibility. Mandatory Requirements: Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural law as well as legal research processes, legal terminology, legal standards and documentation. Demonstrated knowledge of document control procedures, security measures, and privacy rules in order to mitigate the potential release of any investigative information that would endanger or compromise pending cases. Demonstrated knowledge of moderately complex litigation processes and court proceedings as well as strong listening and oral comprehension skills to determine relevance of points of discussion and to clarify ambiguities. Demonstrated written communication skills sufficient to draft basic and complex documents comprehensively and in the correct style and format; ability to edit own work and write in a clear and concise manner clearly and concisely, in oral and written communications. Extensive ability to perform moderately complex legal review, investigative, research, and analysis work, as well as the ability to organize and maintain the assembly and filing of legal documents for moderately complex cases within established deadlines. Demonstrated problem-solving skills sufficient to make clear cut decisions regarding moderately complex matters in a timely manner; considerable legal research skills using law libraries, the internet, and computer-based tools such as Westlaw or other similar resources. Extensive ability to work in an independent manner under appropriate attorney supervision and as a contributing member of a work group; ability to work with a varied group of team members or clients and give and receive constructive feedback. Extensive ability to develop constructive professional working relationships with coworkers, clients, and persons outside the organization. Seven years of Paralegal work experience is preferred. Appropriate Paralegal certification or law degree, as required in MD/VA, is preferred.

Education

Bachelors