Merit Systems Protection Board Logo
Position Title
Supervisory Paralegal Specialist
Agency
Merit Systems Protection Board
Announcement Number
MP-12665257-25-WE Opens in new window
Open Period
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 to Tuesday, January 28, 2025
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. YOUR RESPONSES WILL AFFECT YOUR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION.

The answers to the following questions will be used to determine your eligibility to apply to this job opportunity announcement. You will only be considered under the option(s) you select. You may qualify for and select more than one category.

If you respond that you do not meet any of the following criteria, you will not be considered for this position under this announcement.

NOTE: You must submit the required documentation to verify EACH type of eligibility you select. Failure to provide the required documents will result in an ineligible rating and your application will be excluded from consideration.

See instructions under the "Required Documents" and "How to Apply" tabs for submitting documentation.

If you have questions concerning your eligibility for consideration, please reach out to the contact in the announcement prior to the announcement's closing date. You must submit a complete application by the close of the announcement to be considered.
(limit characters)
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
2. Are you a veteran who separated from active duty under honorable conditions (this means an honorable or general discharge) AND you either:

• retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more; OR 

• rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) since 1991 or later to include disability determinations from a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.

For more information, review USA Jobs Veterans Resources
(limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from the agency hiring for this position?   If yes,  confirm:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;  AND,

• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,

• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,

• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

For more information, review the USA Jobs Help Center
(limit characters)
4. Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty?

-OR-

Are you the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired with a disability rating of 100 percent at the time of retirement or the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who retired or separated from the Armed Forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent from the Department of Veterans Affairs?

-OR-

Are you the un-remarried widow or widower of a member of the Armed Forces killed while in active duty status? 

For more information, review USAJOBS Help Center Military Spouses 
(limit characters)
5. Are you a Federal employee who currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service and has not held the full performance grade level of this position? (limit characters)
6. Are you a current Federal employee who has held or currently holds a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service AND you hold or previously held or competed for the full performance grade level of this position or higher? (limit characters)
7. Are you a current or former federal employee displaced from a position in a Federal agency other than the agency hiring for this position AND:

• you are located in the same local commuting area of the vacancy;  AND,

• you are applying to a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,

• you are applying to a position that does not have greater promotion potential than the position from which you were or will be separated; AND,

• your last performance rating of record is at least fully successful or the equivalent.

 For more information, review the USAJOBS Help Center.
(limit characters)
8. Are you a current Excepted Service employee of a Federal Agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management? For more information, review  Interchange Agreements with Other Merit Systems.
-OR-
 Are you a current:
• Postal Career Service Employee;
• Postal Rate Commission Employee;
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Employee; or,
• Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Employee?

For more information, review Miscellaneous Authorities Not Regulated By U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
(limit characters)
9. Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 12 months; OR,

Are you a Peace Corps Volunteer or AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni who completed your service within the past 36 months AND you are requesting an extension of your non-competitive appointment eligibility due to your military service; study at a recognized institution of higher learning; or involvement in another activity, which the hiring agency may view warrants extension?  OR, 

Are you a current or former Peace Corps employee who completed at least 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more AND has been separated from the Peace Corps for less than three years?
(limit characters)
10.
Do you have a severe intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability that qualifies you for a Schedule A Disability appointment?

For more information, review USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities resources.
(limit characters)
11. Are you a former MSPB employee who served on a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service who was separated by Reduction-In-Force (RIF) and received a rating of satisfactory or above as the last annual performance rating?

OR

Are you a former MSPB employee who served on a career or career conditional appointment in the competitive service who separated due to a compensable injury or disability or accepted a lower graded position in lieu of separation?
(limit characters)
12. Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee in competitive service who has reinstatement eligibility and has not held the full performance grade level of this position? (limit characters)
13. Are you a former Federal career or career-conditional employee in competitive service who has reinstatement eligibility and held the full performance grade level of this position or higher? (limit characters)
14. Are you a veteran whose latest discharge was under honorable conditions AND you:

• served three or more years of continuous active duty service in the military (Note: if released shortly before completing a 3-year tour, you are considered to meet the eligibility); OR,

• are entitled to veterans' preference?

For more information, review USAJOBS Veterans resources.
(limit characters)
Preferences
1. Are you a retiree receiving a civilian Federal or FSA County Annuity? (limit characters)
2. Have you ever received a voluntary separation incentive payment (VSIP or buyout) to leave the Federal civilian service or FSA County position? (limit characters)
3. Are you a current or former: Political appointee, Presidential appointee, and/or non-career SES appointee? (limit characters)
Core Questions
1. Has your work schedule been full-time, i.e., 35-40 hours per week, for every position listed on your resume or OF-612?

If yes, please type Yes.
If no, please type No and include the following in your response for all positions held: position title, employer, dates employed (MM/DD/YY), work schedule (i.e., Full-Time (FT), Part-Time (PT), etc.), and hours/week. Please list in order with current/most recent position first.
Failure to provide all requested information may prevent us from giving credit for experience.
(limit characters)
2. I understand that, for information on the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I (the applicant) must inquire through USAJOBS. No separate notification will be sent to me. To view the status of my application and the outcome of the application process, I must go to the USAJOBS website and log into My Account. Once in My Account, I must enter the "Application Status" section of the website. (limit characters)
3. I understand submission of supporting documentation, e.g., transcripts, DD 214, 50B, performance appraisal 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. (limit characters)
4. I understand that any correspondence necessary will be conducted via email and sent to the email address I provided in this application process. I must keep this email address current. (limit characters)
5. I understand that if I am a current or former federal employee, I must submit an SF-50 showing my career/career-conditional status AND a performance appraisal dated within 18 months or as statement detailing the reason for not submitting the appraisal as part of the application package. (limit characters)
6. If you are, or ever were, a federal civilian employee in a permanent position in the competitive or excepted service, what is the highest grade level you held, excluding temporary promotions? (Please include the pay plan, e.g. GS-7, WG-10) to include "excepted service"? (limit 250 characters)
7. If you are, or ever were, a federal civilian employee, please indicate the start date and end dates of the highest graded permanent positions you held, excluding temporary promotions (e.g. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY, MM/YYYY to present, or NA for not applicable). (limit 250 characters)
Assessment 1
1. GS-12 - Choose one answer that best describes your experience. (limit characters)
2. Have you obtained certification as a Paralegal? (limit characters)
3. From the list below select all those tasks you have performed while handling and/or processing incoming data: (limit characters)
4. I have experience in operating computer systems in order to enter information to track cases, files, and documents and to perform electronic data searches (i.e., Internet, Westlaw, Lexis)? (limit characters)
5. I have organized, managed and prioritized work under the following circumstances? Select all that apply. (limit characters)
6. Which of the following best describes your experience identifying areas where documents are incomplete, or where issues must be resolved prior to issuing certificates of documentation or granting other types of requests? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
7. Which of the following best describes your experience providing information via telephone or electronic means to assist applicants in preparing documents? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
8. Which of the following best reflects your experience in delivering quality work products that meet the organization's priorities, objectives, and deadlines? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
9. Which of the following do you have experience with in using and managing the flow of information in document and case management systems? Select all that apply. (limit characters)
10. From the list below, identify the types of legal documents you have drafted. Select all that apply. (limit characters)
11. I have performed the following activities related to the preparation and/or review of legal documents, instruments and exhibits: Select all that apply. (limit characters)
12. I regularly compose written material where the audience is: Select all that apply. (limit characters)
13. Which of the following best describes your experience preparing correspondence explaining procedures and requirements, or that identifies information needed to correct inadequate submissions? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
14. Which of the following best describes your experience with respect to legal documentation and review? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
15. Which of the following best describes your experience with respect to writing projects? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
16. Which of the following best describes your experience apprising attorneys of cases which involve potentially controversial issues or issues with far-reaching implications? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
17. Which of the following best describes your experience responding orally and in writing to inquiries from attorneys, Members of Congress and their staffs, and private citizens in the general public? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
18. Which of the following best reflects your experience independently making decisions concerning work priorities and/or operational needs? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
19. Which of the following have you drafted, edited and/or revised for approval? Select all that apply. (limit characters)
20. I have carried out the following tasks on behalf of a group of subordinate employees: Select all that apply. (limit characters)
21. Which of the following best describes your highest level of experience developing and implementing workforce plans to improve recruitment, retention, hiring, rewarding, and motivating a multi-disciplined, diverse workforce? Select one answer choice (limit characters)
22. Which of the following best describes your experience formulating budgets during annual cycles for consideration at the next higher level in your organization? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
23. I have direct experience performing the following: Select all that apply. (limit characters)
24. Please identify which of the following changing conditions you have dealt with while maintaining unit productivity and quality: Select all that apply. (limit characters)
25. Which of the following best describes your experience adjusting the allocation of physical, human, and technology resources to organizational sub-components including work units, work groups and project teams in order to solve problems and assure that program objectives and project milestones are met? Select one answer choice. (limit characters)
26. Your responses to the Announcement and Assessment Questionnaires, along with your resume and all supporting documentation are subject to evaluation and verification to ensure accuracy. Submitting false information or attempts to falsify information may be grounds for disqualifying you or for terminating you after you have been hired. Please take this opportunity to review your responses to ensure their accuracy. (limit characters)