Paralegal Specialist

Paralegal Specialist

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Anchorage, Alaska, Boise, Idaho, Portland, Oregon, Lacey, Washington, Seattle, Washington

Salary Range: $74678 - $131571 Per Year

Job Summary: This position is in Region 10, Office of Regional Counsel, General Law and FOIA Branch. About: Region 10. This is an office-centered position--you must physically report to one of the duty stations stated in this announcement on a regular basis (location TBD after candidate selected).

Major Duties:

• You will: Analyze and evaluate the relevance of particular technical evidence, draft briefs, litigation papers, or advisory opinions for review and approval, research on a variety of legal issues, coordinate enforcement actions, and review reported case law to enforce programs and activities of regulated industries. Coordinate responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, use agency electronic systems for processing FOIA requests, use electronic discovery databases and IT tools, and organize and maintain files for cases to prepare and support attorneys and program staff and managers. Assist with administrative processes and electronic systems, act as resource for administrative and professional staff, and plan and coordinate meetings to facilitate the program office. When entering a Federal job at a grade level lower than the highest promotion potential level, you may be promoted to more complex duties and work more independently, as your career progresses. NOTE: Career ladder promotions are not automatic, and all eligibility and qualifications requirements must be met in order to progress to the next grade level. One or more positions may be filled (in the organization advertised and/or in other organizations), if appropriate to the position. Grow your career for the good of our planet The environmental challenges we face today are urgent. At the Environmental Protection Agency, we need professionals like you to continue our mission to protect human health and the environment. Our agency is built upon a commitment to protect human health and the environment. The work we do here changes the world. That's why there has never been a more crucial moment to further your career as one of the scientists, engineers, community leaders, IT specialists, communicators, administrative professionals, technicians, problem solvers, and innovators at EPA. Grow your career. Make an impact. Be EPA. Learn more at epa.gov/careers.

Qualifications: NOTE: You must meet qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. To qualify for the GS-11 level, you must have one of the following: 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level defined as providing legal support, researching, drafting, and preparing legal documents for review; and performing administrative duties. 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; the education must provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position equivalent combination of education and experience NOTE: 1 year of full-time undergraduate study is 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. 1 year of full-time graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study; if that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours is considered 1 year of full-time study. To qualify for the GS-12 level, you must have 1 year of full-time* specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 level defined as providing legal support, researching, writing, reviewing, and assisting with litigation under the application of environmental laws, regulations; and reviewing legal materials for judicial and administrative procedures. You will be assessed on the following competencies: GS-11: Written Communication. Critical Thinking. Reading Comprehension. Attention to Detail. Teamwork. Manages and Organizes Information. Customer Service. Clerical. Problem Solving. GS-12: Critical Thinking. Reading Comprehension. Written Communication. Attention to Detail. Manages and Organizes Information. Teamwork. Clerical. Customer Service. Problem Solving. 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 have part-time work experience, read this: Part-Time Experience.

How to Apply: You are strongly encouraged to read the entire announcement before you submit your application for this position. To begin the application process, click the Apply button to the top right on this screen, follow the prompts to log-in/register, submit all required documents, and complete the questionnaire. To be considered, you must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the day the announcement closes. All required supporting documents will be collected electronically via the USAJOBS document portfolio feature (see How to Upload Documents). Resume Requirements: Only resumes up to a total of 2 pages will be accepted. If you correctly submit a 2-page (or less) resume and also submit a longer resume, we will only review the 2-page resume. If the only resume you submit exceeds 2 pages, you will be removed from consideration for this position. See OPM 2-Page Resume Guidance for information on maximizing the content of your resume. Resume must be legible so we can review for eligibility, minimum qualifications, and any other position requirements listed in this announcement. See USAJOBS Resume Info for additional guidance and information about the recommended formatting (e.g., file type, font size/type, margins). If you cannot apply online, you must contact the Human Resources Office listed below for assistance no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement. You must provide complete application materials by the day the announcement closes. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION EPA welcomes applications from persons with disabilities. Through the reasonable accommodation process, we provide persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment that persons without disabilities enjoy. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the work environment or in the way things are customarily done. An accommodation removes workplace barriers and enables an applicant with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in the application process, be considered for a position, and, if hired, perform the essential functions of their job. The EPA National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators will provide assistance to you, the Human Resources Office, and/or the hiring official as needed. For more information, refer to EPA's Reasonable Accommodation website. Below is more detailed information about how to request a reasonable accommodation during the application, selection, and hiring process: If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process (submitting the application or completing the application process), contact the Human Resources Office listed below no later than two business days prior to the closing date of this announcement, and the Human Resources Office will work directly with you. If you are referred to the hiring official for consideration and need an accommodation during the selection process, including the interview, notify the person who contacted you from the hiring official's office. If you do not hear back within three days about your reasonable accommodation request for the selection process, please notify EPA's National Reasonable Accommodation Coordinators via email at disabilityaccommodations@epa.gov. If you are selected and need an accommodation during the hiring process up to orientation, notify the HR Specialist who made the job offer to you. Please note: Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-04