Lead Paralegal Specialist

Summary
The Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition (BC) is seeking a Lead Paralegal Specialist to serve as team lead in the Bureau's Honors Paralegal Program. The incumbent will provide leadership and guidance to the paralegal team regarding investigation and litigation support duties and responsibilities, and aide the Supervisory Paralegal Specialist in coordinating workload. For more information, please visit Bureau of Competition | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov).
This job is open to

• Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
  Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
• Individuals with disabilities
• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
• Veterans

Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens
Duties
If you are selected for the LeadParalegal Specialist position, your responsibilities may include some or all of the following:

• Conducting detailed reviews and sophisticated analysis of substantial volumes of case and investigation related data and documentation presented by respondents in an investigation.
• Using knowledge of managing cases as they develop from investigations to litigations in supporting and leading the BC Honors Paralegal team in a variety of paralegal-related work.
• Estimating and reporting to the Honors Paralegal team regarding the progress in meeting established milestones and deadlines for completion of assignments, projects, and tasks, and ensuring that all Honors Paralegal team members are aware of and participate in planning for achievement of team goals and objectives.
• Representing the team in dealings with the supervisor or manager for the purpose of obtaining resources.
• Using knowledge and experience of accepted legal practices and procedures to aid the supervisor in conducting initial and on-going training for the Honors Paralegal team.
• Ensuring that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the team and explaining/incorporating goals and objectives into the team's strategies in accomplishing the work.
• Assisting in providing a variety of paralegal training, including one-on-one counseling, brown bags and/or technical guidance covering topics ranging from general professional development to common software tools used in paralegal support (e.g., CaseMap, TextMap, Relativity, Trial Director).
• Maintaining program and administrative reference material, project files, and relevant background documents.
• Making available policies, procedures, and written instructions from the supervisor; maintaining current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies, directives, etc.
• Preparing reports and maintaining records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinating the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the supervisor.
• Leading the Honors Paralegal team in assessing its strengths and weaknesses; providing leadership to the Honors Paralegal team in exploring alternatives and determining what improvements can be made.
• Serving as a team lead and working closely with the supervisor in providing close guidance to the Honors Paralegals in their daily tasks and in overseeing all phases of the work performed by the assigned team members.
• Coaching the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques; providing advice on work methods, practices, and procedures, and assisting the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.

Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
• Position is subject to a background investigation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
• You may serve a one-year probationary period under this appointment.
• Résumé and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
• This position is in the bargaining unit.
• This position is designated as eligible for remote work. If selected, you must be approved for remote work prior to onboarding in accordance with FTC's Workplace Flexibilities Policy.
• If approved for remote work or telework from a regional office, your salary may change based on your official duty station.

Qualifications
To qualify for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements:
You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related;
OR
You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support; assisting in directing a team of paralegals, evaluating resource allocations, and understanding the breadth of paralegal duties necessary to support investigations; assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support on investigations and litigations.
OR
You have a combination of education and experience, which qualify you for this position.
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
If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts . Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.
If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: FOREIGN EDUCATION
Additional information
If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: VETERANS GUIDE
Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see SELECTIVE SERVICE).
Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: CAREER TRANSITION.
Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:
For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

• Benefits
  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.
  Review our 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.
Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.
All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category.
Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.
Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.
Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.
The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
Administrative Law, Leadership, Legal, Government and Jurisprudence, Oral Communication, and Writing
Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources sufficient to perform extensive research on particular legal issues.
Knowledge of rules, laws, regulations and relevant court decisions and administrative practices that apply to antitrust are required to perform analysis of legal impact on legislative development and administrative and judicial decisions, opinions, and rulings on agency programs.
Skill in Written communication.
Skill in Oral Communication.
Skill in Litigation Support.
Ability to lead, guide, and motivate a diverse group towards goal accomplishment.
Ability to train team members in the development of these skills.
To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12290511.

• Benefits
  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.
  Review our 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.
• Required Documents
  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
  To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
  1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
  2. Other supporting documents:
  - Cover Letter, optional
  - College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
  - Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
  - Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
  - Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
  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...