The Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition (BC) is seeking a Lead Paralegal Specialist to serve as the team lead for the Bureau's Honors Paralegal Program. The selected candidate will provide leadership and guidance to the paralegal team on investigation and litigation support responsibilities, and will assist the Supervisory Paralegal Specialist in coordinating workloads. For more information, please visit: Bureau of Competition | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov).
To qualify for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements: You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related; OR You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support; assisting in directing a team of paralegals, evaluating resource allocations, and understanding the breadth of paralegal duties necessary to support investigations; assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support on investigations and litigations. OR You have a combination of education and experience, which qualify you for this position. 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.
If you are selected for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position, your responsibilities may include some or all of the following: Conducting detailed reviews and sophisticated analysis of substantial volumes of case and investigation related data and documentation presented by respondents in an investigation. Using knowledge of managing cases as they develop from investigations to litigations in supporting and leading the BC Honors Paralegal team in a variety of paralegal-related work. Estimating and reporting to the Honors Paralegal team regarding the progress in meeting established milestones and deadlines for completion of assignments, projects, and tasks, and ensuring that all Honors Paralegal team members are aware of and participate in planning for achievement of team goals and objectives. Representing the team in dealings with the supervisor or manager for the purpose of obtaining resources. Using knowledge and experience of accepted legal practices and procedures to aid the supervisor in conducting initial and on-going training for the Honors Paralegal team. Ensuring that the organization's strategic plan, mission, vision, and values are communicated to the team and explaining/incorporating goals and objectives into the team's strategies in accomplishing the work. Assisting in providing a variety of paralegal training, including one-on-one counseling, brown bags and/or technical guidance covering topics ranging from general professional development to common software tools used in paralegal support (e.g., CaseMap, TextMap, Relativity, Trial Director). Maintaining program and administrative reference material, project files, and relevant background documents. Making available policies, procedures, and written instructions from the supervisor; maintaining current knowledge to answer questions from team members on procedures, policies, directives, etc. Preparing reports and maintaining records of work accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinating the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to the supervisor. Leading the Honors Paralegal team in assessing its strengths and weaknesses; providing leadership to the Honors Paralegal team in exploring alternatives and determining what improvements can be made. Serving as a team lead and working closely with the supervisor in providing close guidance to the Honors Paralegals in their daily tasks and in overseeing all phases of the work performed by the assigned team members. Coaching the team in the selection and application of appropriate problem-solving methods and techniques; providing advice on work methods, practices, and procedures, and assisting the team and/or individual members in identifying the parameters of a viable solution.