USA Staffing

Position Title: Student Trainee (Paralegal Specialist)
Agency: Office of the Solicitor
Announcement Number: PW-24-SOL-01 Opens in new window
Open Period: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 to Friday, March 29, 2024

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

2. Are you a current student in an accredited high school, college (including 4-year college/university, community college, or junior college); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree program; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate?

Note: To verify your eligibility, you must provide proof of active enrollment with your application.

For more information, review USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate resources.

A. Yes

B. No

1. I understand that the responses I selected in this questionnaire must be fully supported by detailed descriptions of my work experiences in my resume. In the event that my responses are not supported by my resume, the human resources office will amend my responses to more accurately reflect the level of competency demonstrated in my resume.

A. Yes

B. No

2. I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD-214, SF-50, most recent performance appraisal dated within 18 months (or a reason explaining why one cannot be provided) may be required for this position. I also understand that my application will not be considered if the required supporting documentation is not submitted or is not submitted in accordance with the time frames indicated in the announcement.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Where did you first learn about this Department of Labor (DOL) job opportunity?

4. Please provide the name of the institution/college/university or organization/program/network where you first heard about this Department of Labor (DOL) job opportunity. If you learned about this DOL job opportunity through a DOL Sponsored Career Fair, please provide the name of the career fair. If not applicable, please enter N/A. (limit 250 characters)

1. Are you a current Federal employee?

A. Yes

B. No

2. If you are, or ever were, a Federal civilian employee, please indicate pay plan of the highest graded position you held.

3. If you selected "Other", please enter the Pay Plan. If not applicable, please enter N/A. (limit 100 characters)

4. If you are, or ever were, a Federal civilian employee, please indicate the highest-grade level you held.

5. If you are, or ever were, a Federal civilian employee, please indicate the dates of the highest title, series, graded position you held (MM-YYYY to MM-YYYY or Present, or if not applicable, please enter N/A.).

Note: Time-In-Grade restrictions apply in relation to advancement to General Schedule positions of employees in the competitive service. (limit 150 characters)

6. If you are, or were, a Federal employee who held a permanent position in the competitive service, what is the highest full performance level* of that position?

*Full Performance Level: The highest grade level in an employment career ladder. For example, if the position is a Secretary, grade GS-5 with a target grade or promotion potential to GS-7, the GS-7 grade level is the full performance grade level of the position. It is the highest grade in the Secretary position's employment career ladder (i.e., GS-5, GS-6, GS-7).

7. Does the Department of Labor employ any member of your family?

A. Yes

B. No

8. If yes to previous question, please provide the name, relationship, organization in which employed, and location if known. If not applicable, please enter N/A. (limit 250 characters)

9. Are you a retiree receiving a Federal annuity, either military or civilian?

Note: If you are an annuitant, your salary or annuity may be reduced upon employment.

A. Yes

B. No

C. Not applicable

10. Have you accepted a buyout from a Federal agency within the past 5 years?

A. Yes

B. No

C. Not applicable

11. For DOL employees only, what is your bargaining unit status?

A. NCFLL

B. Local 12

C. NULI

D. Outside bargaining union

E. Non-DOL employee

12. Are you currently serving or have you served in a Political Appointment in the Federal Government?

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the answer that best describes your educational/experience background to meet the basic qualifications requirements for the Paralegal Specialist, GS-07, position.

A. I have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 that includes examples of: (1) knowledge of tort law and other legal references sufficient to gather and analyze data related to negligence issues; (2) utilize automated systems; (3) examine and analyze case files to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; (4) the ability to plan and organize work and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

B. Completion of 1 full year of graduate level education.

C. Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.

D. A combination of specialized experience at the GS-05 level or equivalent and graduate level education.

E. I do not meet any of the described above for this position.

2. Select the one answer that best describes your current enrollment in an accredited postsecondary school.

A. I am currently enrolled in a graduate or professional school (i.e., law school, medical school, etc.).

B. I do not meet the criteria above.

3. Select the response that best describes your experience preparing reports (i.e., activity reports, statistical reports, status reports, etc.) on a recurring basis.

A. I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in performing this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job, with close supervision from supervisor or senior employee.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of the job, independently and usually without review by supervisor or senior employee.

E. This task has been a central or major part of my work. I have performed it myself routinely, and I have trained others in performance of this task and (or) others have consulted me as an expert for assistance in performing this task.

4. Which of the following best reflects your experience in communicating with others on paralegal issues/topics.

A. I have experience communicating, explaining, or defending complex paralegal issues/topics/ideas or information clearly. Examples may include: orally justifying a controversial paralegal decision (e.g., statute, authority) or recommendation to mgmt.; representing the agency or organization to outside parties; active participation in activities that involve extensive oral communication that include questions of fact or interpretation of policy or regulations regarding paralegal topics/issues.

B. I have experience communicating and explaining complex ideas or information clearly. Examples may include: explaining to management the procedural and/or technical basis for recommendations and decisions made on their paralegal topic/issue.

C. I have experience communicating or explaining moderately complex ideas or information clearly. Examples may include: explaining information on a one-to-one basis or to a small group to inform, explain, or promote an understanding of relevant paralegal materials.

D. I have experience communicating or explaining ideas or information clearly on any topic or issue. Examples may include: explaining information on a one-to- one basis or to a small group to inform, explain, or promote an understanding of related materials.

E. I do not have any of the experience described above.

5. A paralegal specialist is expected to receive 'soft copies' of written documents, proofread them, and make formatting, grammar, and spelling changes, as needed. Choose the statement that most accurately describes your experience with these duties.

A. I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.

B. I have had education or training in performing this task, but have not yet performed it on the job.

C. I have performed this task on the job, with close supervision from supervisor or senior employee.

D. I have performed this task as a regular part of the job, independently and usually without review by supervisor or senior employee.

6. Which of the following best reflects your experience maintaining and managing dockets/case files:

A. I have maintained litigation (trial or appellate) dockets showing the status of each case and relevant due dates.

B. I have maintained litigation case files, including organizing and indexing pleadings, correspondence, and internal documents.

C. I have managed documents obtained through the discovery process, including reviewing documents to find relevant materials, indexing, and summarizing documents.

D. I have not performed any of the above tasks.

7. Please select the statement(s) which best reflects your experience providing advisory services and assistance to management.

A. I have advised employees on the applicable statute of limitations to their cause of action and how to present a claim.

B. I have advised employees of the Government`s statutory right of reimbursement and of the amount to be credited against future FECA benefits.

C. I have advised employees or employee`s attorney how to file the required Statement of Recovery.

D. I have advised employees, attorneys, employers, insurance carriers, client agencies concerning the rights and remedies of the respective parties.

E. I have not had experience in performing these tasks.

8. Please select from the list below the documents that you have experience drafting on a regular and recurring basis.

A. Legal analyses

B. Complaints

C. Motions

D. Transmittal documents

E. Appellate briefs

F. Legal memoranda

G. Declarations

H. Discovery

I. Correspondence

J. Affidavits

K. Settlement statements

L. Subpoena statements

M. None of the above

9. I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all of the information included in this questionnaire is true, correct, and provided in good faith. I understand that if I make an intentional false statement, or commit deception or fraud in this application and its supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the examination process, I may be fined or imprisoned (18 U.S.C. 1001); my eligibilities may be cancelled, I may be denied an appointment, or I may be removed and debarred from Federal service (5 C.F.R. part 731). I understand that any information I give may be investigated. I understand that responding "No" to this item will result in my not being considered for this position.

A. Yes, I certify that the information provided in this questionnaire is true, correct and provided in good faith, and I understand the information provided above.

B. No, I do not certify/understand the information provided above.

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