What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal. position at Bonneville Power Administration?
Duties
Your Legal Expertise, Powering a Region.
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is seeking a highly organized and versatile Paralegal to contribute to our Office of General Counsel. This position requires an individual capable of managing a blend of substantive legal work and critical administrative responsibilities, thus contributing to the team's success and our mission to power the Pacific Northwest. If you excel in a fast-paced environment and can seamlessly transition between complex legal tasks and essential office management, we encourage you to apply.
In This Multifaceted Role, You Will:
Conditions of employment
In Accordance With Executive Order 14170, Applicants Are Encouraged To Respond To Four Short, Free-response, Essay Questions In The Questionnaire. Answer To These Questions Is Not Scored Or Rated. Your Answers Will Be Reviewed By The Hiring Manager And Agency Leadership If You Are Referred For Selection ConsiderationWhen You Apply You Will Be Asked a Series Of Questions To Determine Your Eligibility For Employment And Your Qualification For This Position Specifically. You Must Answer All Of These Questions Completely And Truthfully.Key Requirements:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
GS-09:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Assisting in legal case preparation by gathering and summarizing information from case files, conducting research of routine legal issues using established precedents, and drafting initial legal documents for attorney review.
GS-11:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience 1) providing legal assistance and support (e.g. evaluating factual information for litigation worthiness, and identifying and gathering additional evidence for legal matters of above-average difficulty); 2) conducting legal research using established precedents, laws, and regulations to analyze and interpret findings for attorneys; and 3) drafting various legal documents such as summaries of analyses, decisions, and pre-trial documents, and preparing charts or exhibits to support case litigation.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the
Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.
Additional information
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments
Veterans Information:
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Telework:
Selective Service Registration:
Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.
We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Your Legal Expertise, Powering a Region.
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is seeking a highly organized and versatile Paralegal to contribute to our Office of General Counsel. This position requires an individual capable of managing a blend of substantive legal work and critical administrative responsibilities, thus contributing to the team's success and our mission to power the Pacific Northwest. If you excel in a fast-paced environment and can seamlessly transition between complex legal tasks and essential office management, we encourage you to apply.
In This Multifaceted Role, You Will:
- Analyze complex case information to develop strategic recommendations and justifications for our trial attorneys.
- Provide comprehensive executive support to four Assistant General Counsels by managing their demanding calendars, scheduling appointments, and coordinating high-level meetings.
- Independently manage the discovery process for litigation, including interpreting data requests, collecting information, and drafting responses for legal review.
- Draft a wide range of legal documents, including motions, briefs, exhibits, and other critical court filings for administrative and federal court proceedings.
- Act as the primary litigation assistant in major hearings, including before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, by preparing evidence and organizing all case materials.
- Serve as a key liaison for the office, managing incoming calls and mail, welcoming visitors, and coordinating with other agencies and external counsel.
- Conduct sophisticated legal research into federal statutes, legislative history, and case law on novel and precedent-setting issues in energy policy.
- Ensure the operational readiness of the entire legal team by acting as the Master Timekeeper, managing travel and training logistics, and maintaining office supplies.
- Interview internal personnel and potential witnesses, preparing them to provide clear and effective testimony in court and other legal proceedings.
Conditions of employment
In Accordance With Executive Order 14170, Applicants Are Encouraged To Respond To Four Short, Free-response, Essay Questions In The Questionnaire. Answer To These Questions Is Not Scored Or Rated. Your Answers Will Be Reviewed By The Hiring Manager And Agency Leadership If You Are Referred For Selection ConsiderationWhen You Apply You Will Be Asked a Series Of Questions To Determine Your Eligibility For Employment And Your Qualification For This Position Specifically. You Must Answer All Of These Questions Completely And Truthfully.Key Requirements:
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
- Males must abide by Selective Service registration requirements.
- You will be required to report in person to the official duty location.
- Selectee will be required to complete the Office of Government Ethics Standard of Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OFGE450e) within 30 days of employment and annually.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
GS-09:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Assisting in legal case preparation by gathering and summarizing information from case files, conducting research of routine legal issues using established precedents, and drafting initial legal documents for attorney review.
GS-11:
A qualified candidate's online application and resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service.
Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience 1) providing legal assistance and support (e.g. evaluating factual information for litigation worthiness, and identifying and gathering additional evidence for legal matters of above-average difficulty); 2) conducting legal research using established precedents, laws, and regulations to analyze and interpret findings for attorneys; and 3) drafting various legal documents such as summaries of analyses, decisions, and pre-trial documents, and preparing charts or exhibits to support case litigation.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. 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.
Time-in-Grade: Current Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement to receive consideration.
CTAP/ICTAP candidates: To be considered "well qualified" you must meet all of the requirements as described in this section.
You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
If substituting education for specialized experience you must submit proof of your qualifying education. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See
Foreign education must be reviewed by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the
Failure to provide college transcripts may result in a rating of 'Ineligible'.
Additional information
- This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE
Reasonable Accommodation Policy: Employees or applicants may request Reasonable Accommodation (RA) for assistance, when applying or competing for a job or performing a job due to their medical condition or to exercise their religious beliefs. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or selection process, please contact the Staffing Specialist listed on this vacancy announcement.
Reasonable Accommodation for USAHire: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments
Veterans Information:
Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Telework:
Selective Service Registration:
Hiring incentives may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate based on budget availability and in accordance with federal regulations.
BPA strives to ensure a safe and positive work environment.
We also understand the importance of work/life balance and offer a variety of programs and policies designed to create more flexible, responsive work environments supportive of commitments to community, home and family members. BPA also supports employees' overall wellness through its Be Well program, which helps employees adopt healthier lifestyles and feel better about their work/life balance. The program supports five key areas of life: career, community, financial, physical and social.
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.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.