Paralegal Specialist (Litigation)

This position is located at Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of General Counsel.

This opportunity is also open to Status Candidates under Announcement 26-HUD-12940012.

Please refer to that announcement for details on open period, eligibility, and how to apply.

Qualifications:

You must meet the following requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-12 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience for this position includes:

• Work experience where the applicant has regularly performed legal research and prepared necessary documentation in the course of litigation, and analyzes relevant statutes, regulations and case law using on-line resources such as Westlaw/Lexis or responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, supports real estate closings, real estate transactions, foreclosures, or other HUD Program areas.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-11 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience for this position includes:

• Work experience where the applicant has regularly performed legal research and prepared necessary documentation in the course of real estate closings, real estate transactions, foreclosures, or other housing areas and/or responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

OR

Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M. if related, in an accredited college or university that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR

A combination of education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of 36 semester hours (54 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience.

Specialized Experience: For the GS-09 grade level, you must have one year (52 full weeks) of specialized experience at a level of difficulty and responsibility equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service.

Specialized Experience for this position includes:

• Experience where the applicant performed legal research and prepared necessary documentation in support of legal recommendations and/or responses to legal proceedings, contracts, foreclosures, or real estate closings.

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D. in an accredited college or university that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

OR A combination of education and experience. Only graduate level education in excess of 18 semester hours (27 quarter hours), may be used to combine education and experience.

The experience may have been gained in either the public, private sector or volunteer service. One year of experience refers to full-time work; part-time work is considered on a prorated basis. To ensure full credit for your work experience, please indicate dates of employment by month/day/year, and indicate number of hours worked per week on your resume.

Responsibilities:

HUD's Mission
The mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is to foster strong communities by supporting access to quality, affordable housing, expanding the housing supply, and unlocking homeownership opportunities for the American people. The Department is committed to furthering the promise of self-sufficiency in every American while promoting economic development to revitalize rural, tribal, and urban communities across the country.

This position is located in the Office of General Counsel (OGC). OGC is the chief legal office of the Department, the principal legal adviser to the Secretary and staff of HUD, and the head of the Departmental Enforcement Center. OGC provides legal opinions, advice, and services with respect to all Departmental programs and activities and assists in the development of HUD programs and policies. OGC also provides functional legal counsel on defensive and affirmative litigation and the development of legislation and regulations.

The following are the duties of this position at the GS-12. If you are selected at a lower grade level, you will have the opportunity to learn to perform all these duties and will receive training to help you grow in this position.

As a Paralegal Specialist (Litigation), you will:

• Perform complex and comprehensive legal research and technical duties with respect to HUD programs. Research and analyze relevant statutes, regulations and case law using on-line resources such as Westlaw/Lexis, and where appropriate can conduct research using law library resources.
• Examine and evaluate information in records and case files, with reference to litigation worthiness.
• Provide litigation case file management, including document control. Assist with trial preparation, propounds and tracks eDiscovery, and assist with production of discovery as assigned. Perform initial review of FOIA exemptions and Privacy Act requirements.
• Ensure that information is lawfully released, redacted, or withheld in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act exemptions, Privacy Act or with the requirements of protecting Attorney-Client privileged information.
• Prepare and/or reviews various legal documents that serve as the basis of legal arguments, interpretations, settlements and opinions.

Salary : $65,271