Job Information
Army National Guard Units PARALEGAL SPECIALIST in Columbus, Ohio
Summary This National Guard position is for a PARALEGAL SPECIALIST, Position Description Number D1241000 and is part of the OH CoS Command Admin Office, Ohio Army National Guard. The primary purpose of this position is for Paralegal support within the state/territory Staff Judge Advocate's Office providing ancillary legal research and analysis and Managing the state ARNG Freedom of Information Act Program. Responsibilities As a PARALEGAL SPECIALIST, GS-0950-11, you will perform the following duties: 1) Provides ancillary legal work to state/territory SJA and other assigned Army National Guard(ARNG) and Air National Guard (ANG) attorneys servicing the state/territory National Guard's caseload. Conducts legal research of Federal and state/territory code, regulations, policies, procedures, case law, legal and administrative decisions and opinions, etc., and summarizes findings to aide staff attorneys in case or project resolution. Research is performed on a variety of legal subjects which may include, but are not limited to: Federal and state/territory code, and legislative proposals or intent; military justice and status issues for Title 10 and Title 32 members; claims; labor relations; equal opportunity; administrative actions; contractual agreements; ethics; environmental concerns; law enforcement; bankruptcy; taxation; legal assistance; and a wide variety of miscellaneous legal issues. Interviews clients and potential witnesses; collects and organizes pertinent factual and research material to build case files; and prepares and organizes exhibits. Composes, prepares, and ensures accuracy of various legal or legislative documents. 2) Provides research, analysis, guidance, and support to administer courts-martial, non-judicial punishment, administrative boards and other legal actions and administrative processes. Reviews procedures, timing criteria and documents relative to the administration of justice under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and associated state/territory code. Performs research to identify factual and legal issues to uncover relevant information for summaries of precedent cases, interviews, testimony, depositions, and related case material for use by the attorneys. Performs research and preparation of notes and memoranda regarding allegations and possible charges, maintains logs and files, and files motions. Prepares and files charge sheets, disposition sheets, and other records. Maintains transcript files and exhibits. Provides assistance to serviced units concerning the administrative preparation, coordination, and implementation of documents regarding military justice. 3) Manages the Preventative Law Program. Facilitates legal training for unit readiness non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and Directorate of Manpower and Personnel (J1) personnel, or others by request, on a variety of topics including but not limited to: the military justice system (both Federal and state/territory), inquiries and investigations, unlawful command influence, adverse administrative actions, administrative separations, the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968, urinalysis testing and other issues affecting traditional guard members and NG full-time employees. 4) Manages the SJA portion of the state/territory Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) program. Advises senior leaders and organizational managers on the suitability of various disputes for resolution through the use of ADR methodologies by promoting program awareness, as well as planning for and providing timely advice or support needed to employ ADR program interventions. Develops, plans, or generates guidance for existing dispute processes to ensure they interface with National Guard Bureau (NGB) ADR goals. Works to implement the most appropriate form of ADR that both meets and is able to address the needs of the disputants. Analyses the qualifications, experience, training and subject matter expertise of neutrals and recommends the selection of specific one. Works with managers, supervisors, and employees to prevent and resolve problems and to build constructive relationships in the work environment. 5) Serves as the primary point of contact for claims. Accepts complaint, summons, documents, or inquiries; identifies the type or purpose; screens for completeness; and identifies the action to be performed. As required by the action, performs preliminary investigation and gathers pertinent information, researches legal and factual issues, interviews claimant, involved parties and potential witnesses and builds case files, and recommends disposition of claim. 6) Manages the ARNG Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program. Accepts and responds to requests for ARNG records from the public; reviews the records and recommends redaction of information exempted from disclosure under 5 U.S.C. 552; and works with the National Guard Bureau, Office of Information Practices, the FOIA Denial Authority for ARNG records, to prepare a response to the records request. 7) Performs other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Ohio National Guard Membership is required. Males born after 31 December 1959 must be registered for Selective Service. Federal employment suitability as determined by a background investigation. May be required to successfully complete a probationary period. Participation in direct deposit is mandatory. MILITARY REQUIREMENTS: Compatible military grade and assignment required within one year of the effective date of placement. This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the employing state's National Guard. Applicants who are not currently a member of the Ohio Army National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact an Ohio Army National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. AFSC: 5J0X1 Military Grades: Army: E5 to CW3 Air Force: E5 to E8 1. Must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate security clearance of the position. 2. This position is covered by the Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Amendment (30 Sep 96) of the Gun Control Act (Lautenberg Amendment) of 1968. An individual convicted of a qualifying crime of domestic violence may not perform the duties of this position. 3. Ability to establish effective professional working relationships with coworkers and customers, contributing to a cooperative working environment and successful accomplishment of the mission. 4. Irregular and/or overtime (compensatory) hours may be required to support operational requirements or contingencies or may be required to work hours outside of the normal duty day. 5. The duties and responsibilities of your job may significantly impact the environment. You are responsible to maintain awareness of your environmental responsibilities as dictated by legal and regulatory requirements, your organization, and its changing mission. Qualifications GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Experience, education or training that demonstrates the ability to analyze the legal impact of legislative developments and administrate and judicial decisions, opinions, rulings and determinations on agency programs; conduct research for the preparation of legal opinions on matters of interest to the agency. Practical knowledge and use of basic legal principles and concepts to interpret and apply or explain to others the application of a body of law, regulations, precedents, and practices covering one or more recurring types of legal actions encountered in an agency. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: 1-year specialized experience, education, or training equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the formal and informal rules of evidence and skill necessary to evaluate the adequacy and/or admissibility of evidence, to request additional data or further investigation, when needed, or to develop narrative or graphic exhibits to support specified legal arguments and coordinate actions with other federal agencies or state and local jurisdictions that have closely related responsibilities. Education If substituting education for experience, you must possess the following: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related If you are using education to qualify for this position, you must provide official transcripts or other official documentation to support your educational claims. To receive credit for education, you must provide official documentation of proof that you meet the education requirements for this position. Additional Information If serving under an incentive contract, termination of that incentive(s) will occur effective one day prior to your AGR, Permanent Military Technician, or Indefinite Military Technician start date. Temporary Military Technicians will have their incentive terminated if their tour exceeds 179 days in a continuous 12-month period. If you are a male applicant who was born after 12/31/1959 and are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, the Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that you be registered or you are not eligible for appointment in this agency (https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx).