Summary

The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims has exclusive jurisdiction over decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board or BVA). The Court reviews Board decisions appealed by claimants who believe the Board erred in its decision. The Court's review of Board decisions is based on the record before the agency and arguments of the parties, which are presented in a written brief, with oral argument generally held only in cases presenting new legal issues.

Learn more about this agency

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Paralegal Specialist will provide legal and administrative support to the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel in connection with the Court's legal advisory, ethics, policy, and administrative functions.

This position requires a high level of professionalism, discretion, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a confidential legal environment.

The Paralegal Specialist performs a full range of legal and administrative support duties in support of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), including but not limited to:

• Conducting legal and factual research related to statutes, regulations, case law, ethics rules and standards, Court policies, and administrative matters.
• Assisting attorneys with drafting, reviewing, and editing legal memoranda, correspondence, policies, standard operating procedures, guidance documents, and internal advisory materials.
• Preparing summaries, chronologies, analyses, and background materials for legal, ethics, and advisory matters.
• Tracking assignments, deadlines, and action items for matters handled by OGC and ensuring timely follow-up.
• Learning Court and OGC systems and processes to predict and complete tasks with minimal oversight.
• Utilizing critical thinking skills to evaluate information and data and to communicate relevant points.
• Identifying trends in workflow and recommending responsive actions.
• Maintaining official and working files, including sensitive and confidential records, in accordance with Court records management requirements.
• Managing document intake, version control, and distribution of OGC materials.
• Assisting with administration of the Court's ethics program, including intake and tracking of ethics-related inquiries and supporting documentation.
• Supporting the development, maintenance, and coordination of ethics training and reference materials.
• Coordinating meetings, calendars, and logistical arrangements for OGC leadership.
• Drafting routine correspondence and responding to internal requests for information, as appropriate.
• Serving as a liaison with Court offices, chambers, and external contacts on administrative or procedural matters.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

This appointment is made without regard to Title 5 governing appointments to competitive service.

The selectee will be subject to a two-year probationary period. A background security investigation is required for all new hires. The appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of fingerprinting and a favorably adjudicated background security investigation. Failure to meet these requirements will be grounds for termination.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• The selectee must have a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible paralegal or legal support experience.

Note: Experience in veterans' benefits law and court operations or administration is beneficial but not required.

Skills:

• Proficiency in legal research, including use of online legal research databases and methods.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally.
• Skill in organizing, tracking, and managing multiple assignments and deadlines, with exceptional attention to detail.
• Flexibility to adapt to shifting priorities and provide support for multiple attorneys.
• Ability to perform duties and assignments independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronic records systems with a willingness and ability to learn other technologies and systems used by the Court.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in a federal court, judicial branch, government legal office, or law firm.
• Familiarity with judicial ethics, ethics advisory functions, or administrative law.
• Experience supporting senior-level attorneys or executives in a high-paced work environment.

Promotion Potential:

This position may be filled at the CS-9 or CS-11 depending on the selectee's qualifications. If filled below the CS-11 level, the position may have promotion potential to CS-11 without further competition, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of work, and compliance with applicable Court policies.

Education

The selectee must have a paralegal certificate or degree from an accredited institution, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible paralegal or legal support experience.

Additional information

This is an "at-will" position.

Excepted Service Position: This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.

Veterans Information: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to paralegal appointments in the excepted service; however, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims considers veterans' preference eligibility a positive factor for attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letters or resumes and attach supporting documents (e.g., DD Form 214, Certificate of Release, or Discharge from Active Duty) to their submissions.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

Programs | BENEFEDS

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once your completed application package is received, we will conduct an evaluation and the selected candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for future consideration and possible interview.

Required Documents

You may apply by submitting the following documents:

• A resume, no more than two (2) pages;
• A cover letter explaining your interest;
• Educational qualification; and
• A completed OF 306 (Declaration for Federal Employment).

Note: Application packets should be emailed in one single PDF attachment. See 'How to Apply' for instructions.

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. 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.

How to Apply

Please submit your application packet to: Human Resources at [email protected].

Please include the vacancy announcement number in the subject line.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, or political affiliation.

Agency contact information

USCAVC Human Resources Office

Email

[email protected]

Address

US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
625 Indiana Avenue, N.W.
Suite 900
Washington, DC 20004
US

Next steps

Once your completed application package is received, we will conduct an evaluation and the selected candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for future consideration and possible interview. The Court does not pay relocation expenses.

Overview

Accepting applications

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

Washington, DC

No matching locations found.

Work site options

Telework eligible

Yes—as determined by the agency policy.

Remote job

No

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Salary

$70,623 - $111,087 per year

GS 09 ($70,623 - $91,815) GS 10 ($77,771- $101,097) GS 11($85,447- $111,087)

Pay scale & grade

CS 9 - 11

Promotion potential

11

Learn more about pay scale and grade

Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule

Full-time

Travel Required

Not required

Appointment type

Permanent

Occupations and job series

• 0950 Paralegal Specialist

Supervisory status

No

Federal service type

This job is in the Excepted Service

Represented by a union

No

Drug test

No

Security clearance

Other

Financial disclosure required

No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number

26-15

Control number

887411700