Summary This position is located in the Vehicle Safety Standards and Harmonization Division (Rulemaking Division) of the Office of Chief Counsel. You will serve as a Paralegal Specialist providing a variety legal research and support functions for a division comprised of 16 attorneys, involved in cutting edge intersections of law, the environment, vehicle safety, and technology. Responsibilities As a Paralegal Specialist, you will: Provide legal assistance and support to attorneys by researching prior interpretations of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Identify, assemble, and analyze pertinent statutes, agency regulations, case law, and other legal reference materials as support for rulemaking activities. Coordinate for accurate tracking of rulemaking products throughout the rulemaking process. Manage online resources and develop procedures to facilitate coordination and communication between rulemaking teams. The ideal candidate for this position possesses excellent organizational skills and is capable of garnering support throughout the organization to accomplish the agency's mission. NHTSA is looking for someone who is highly motivated, who can facilitate processes, and who can communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, at all levels of the organization. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration. You must meet specialized experience to qualify. Required documents must be submitted by the closing date. Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: SELECTIVE SERVICE: Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for the Selective Service. PROBATIONARY PERIOD: You must complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). TIME-IN-GRADE: Federal applicants must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch to satisfy time-in-grade restrictions contained in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F. DEU REQUIREMENTS: Applicants selected under delegated examining procedures may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period (unless already completed). Qualifications To meet the minimum qualifications for this position: To qualify for the GS-11 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-09 it must include: Experience of the principles and practices of substantive and procedural law as well as legal research processes, legal terminology, legal standards, and documentation. To qualify for the GS-11 on Education alone, you must have: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You can also qualify based on a combination of higher level graduate education and experience. This must be fully supported by your resume and transcripts, provided with your application. To qualify for the GS-12 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-11 it must include: Experience performing a variety of analytical paralegal or related work which demonstrates a practical knowledge of law, the litigation and judicial process, and applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Experience analyzing and evaluating legal decisions and case files to identify relevant issues and potential evidence; conducting legal research concerning precedents and past court decisions; composing briefing papers, summaries of analyses and decisions, and pre-trial documents. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-12 level; you must have experience. To qualify for the GS-13 on Experience, you must have at least one year of experience equal or equivalent to the GS-12 it must include: Experience analyzing issues of fact and issues of law to prepare digests of case decisions, to evaluate the applicability of precedents, and to draft briefing papers, other litigation papers, or findings. Experience interpreting federal and state law statutes, legal regulations, and policies to make recommendations to attorneys. Experience drafting legal documents, including matters under agency review. You cannot qualify on education at the GS-13 level; you must have experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Ability to provide legal support on litigation, enforcement, and rulemaking matters, including by performing research, organizing documents, and preparing summaries or reports. Ability to work under pressure to meet time deadlines and deal with other effectively in a fast-paced team environment. Ability to communicate effectively in a logical manner in writing when presenting facts and explaining finding, recommendations, and other matters. Ability to organize, track, and review submissions of information to ensure they are timely and complete. For all types of consideration, 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 For additional information about applying to Federal positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4 Students enrolled in a qualifying degree program can apply if the anticipated graduation date is within six months of closing date of the announcement. Graduation transcript must be received before start date. Other applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. Education Additional Information FOREIGN EDUCATION must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.