Paralegal/Legal Assistant II

LMR is seeking a Paralegal/Legal Assistant II to perform complex day-to-day administrative and litigation support activities in support of our customer, Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals, in the Department Counsel Division. Incumbents will work independently, receiving a minimum of detailed guidance, to complete tasks that include, but are not limited to, archiving, retrieval, database inputs, report generation, and other work with both classified and unclassified case files. In addition, incumbents will be expected to research, locate, and deliver requested cases to Administrative Judges, Attorneys, and adjudicators.

Location: Arlington, VA

Duties and Responsibilities:

Demonstrate knowledge, understanding, and mastery of content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Apply detailed knowledge, understanding and mastery of the personnel security administrative litigation process under DoD Directive 5220.6 and other applicable security clearance regulations and the safeguarding and handling for PII and other highly sensitive information in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

Analyze, recommend, and take appropriate actions to resolve requests related to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act and the rules governing the release of official government information to the general public for both classified and unclassified information.

Case support includes, but is not limited to, litigation support, document preparation and organization, document summarizing, document filing, mailing, and making appropriate entries to the case tracking system. All of this must be done with experience in, and mastery of, the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts, the personnel security administrative litigation process under DoD Directive 5220.6 and other applicable security clearance regulations and the safeguarding and handling for PII and other highly sensitive information, and experience and proficiency in the use of the DISS and other personnel security related databases.

Prepare and assign 35-150 draft Statement of Reasons (SORs) per month for ISCR/ADP clearance cases to Department Counsel (DC) staff and enter assignments into DOHA case tracking system.

Prepare and assign 35-100 Military/Civilian appeal cases per month to DC Attorneys, enter assignments into DOHA case tracking system, and forward the appeal cases to the DOHA Hearing Office.

In-process 25-150 SOR answers and update the DOHA case tracking system.

In-process industrial security clearance cases (ISCR), contractor trustworthiness (automated data processing or ADP), ISCR/ADP Reapplication cases and update DOHA case tracking system.

Assign, draft, and mail correspondence to FSOs, applicants, and various companies/agencies, update the DOHA case tracking system and suspense for follow up, and ensure completeness of case file prior to submission to DC Attorneys.

Copy, collate, and file hearing and administrative determination exhibits and packages.

Monitor and action DISS Appeals tasks and DISS CATS cases and notifications; make all appropriate entries in DISS, the DOHA Database, and other personnel security related databases, and review and pull relevant documents for DCs and judges as needed.

Perform all Department Counsel litigation support in an error-free manner as it includes sensitive information, credit reports, derogatory information and other personally identifiable information.

Skillfully gather and communicate significant and sensitive information orally and in writing to persons involved in the security clearance process.

Demonstrate the ability to plan, schedule and conduct projects of varying complexity.

Ability to identify problems and issues and make recommendations to resolve them.

Utilize a variety of complex data and computer software and equipment.

Build expertise and demonstrate knowledge of policies and procedures relating to industrial personnel security cases, as well as the ability to manage a large case load of industrial security clearance cases (ISCR), contractor trustworthiness (automated data processing or ADP) cases and other work and deploy resources to accomplish the mission in the quickest and most efficient manner possible.

Receive reports for adjudication and record cases in the appropriate computer databases, utilizing the Defense Information System for Security (DISS), and the specific DOHA web-based case tracking system.

Read and analyze reports for adjudication to determine whether scope of investigation meets specific DOHA investigative standards; prepare memoranda of findings and correspondence in accordance with DOHA processes, and make appropriate entries into databases, utilizing DISS and the specific DOHA web-based case tracking system.

Respond verbally or in writing, as appropriate, with detailed information and understanding of DOHA case procedures, to written correspondence, email, and telephonic inquiries concerning status of cases. Ensure all responses are in accordance with security and privacy requirements. Must be familiar with and have the ability to utilize DoD Directive 5220.6, Defense Industrial Personnel Security Clearance Review Program.

Anticipate and meet the needs of individual Due Process Applicants/Appellees and Department Counsel leadership and attorneys independent of Government supervision.

Ensure all work products clearly demonstrate a clear understanding of the Department Counsel’s contribution to the overall customer mission and clearly articulate understanding of general security administration and all applicable guidelines, regulations, and directives.

Perform analysis of case files to determine completeness; initiate correspondence for government signature; perform error-free work; track and perform follow-up action to ensure case completeness prior to submission of any case; handle sensitive information, credit reports, derogatory information, and other personally identifiable information with no errors.

Summarize case documentation/files and manage related filing, mailing, and tracking in applicable case-tracking system(s).

Support all Attorneys in all stages of the due process interrogatories, hearing or written case record file of relevant material.

Develop and deliver responses, verbally or in writing, as appropriate, with detailed information and understanding of Agency case procedures, to written correspondence, email, and telephonic inquiries concerning status of cases.

Resolve inquiries from due process applicants and appellants, providing detailed information deliver flawless reports, correspondence and other work products take appropriate actions without error in judgment or action to avoid risk and negative impact to mission operations and severe impact on national security.

Exercise judgment and perform work independently with limited guidance and review by senior government staff.

Independently identify potential problems and issues impacting the organization and proactively make recommendations to resolve them.

Interpret and apply agency requirements to protect deliberative process and adhere to Privacy Act requirements to ensure all responses maintain national security posture.

Other miscellaneous administrative, clerical, and records/case file management duties of a like type within this scope as required.

Required Qualifications:

Current (or ability to obtain and maintain) Top Secret security clearance (T3 background investigation). Must be a U.S. Citizen to obtain a Secret security clearance. https://www.dcsa.mil/Personnel-Security/Background-Investigations-for-Applicants/Investigations-Clearance-Process/

Bachelor’s Degree and 2 years of relevant administrative/litigation experience.

Relevant experience may be substituted for education: Associate degree and 4 years of relevant experience , or High School Diploma a