Paralegal - Experienced Level (Maryland)

Job Summary

The NSA Office of General Counsel (OGC) is seeking highly motivated paralegals to assist OGC attorneys in protecting NSA's interests in the areas of litigation, technology, research, and intellectual property. Paralegals working in NSA OGC apply their expertise, skills, and/or education to solve a variety of challenges, some of which are not found in the private sector or at any other government agency. You will have the opportunity to make a global impact on a daily basis as you work with other top caliber professionals at the highest levels of the Agency and across the U.S. Government.

Responsibilities

NSA OGC Paralegals perform substantive legal work under the supervision of an Attorney.

Litigation Paralegal responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining methods to obtain, process, disseminate, catalog, and summarize information in which the work requires legal skills.
• Conducting research for the preparation of legal opinions on matters of interest to the Agency.
• Assisting in preparing for and attending administrative dispute resolution and/or settlement discussions, hearings, interviewing and coordinating witnesses, managing evidence, case dockets and discovery, and drafting legal documents.
• Maintaining legal files and various software applications to extract legal information to compile reports.
• Preparing reports to Congress and other government agencies.
• Managing functions and responsibilities of special projects/programs within the Office of General Counsel under the general supervision of a Managing Attorney.
• Advising management on project/program matters, offer recommendations, and provide liaison to clients as required.

Technology, Research, and Intellectual Property Paralegal responsibilities include:

• Developing and maintaining methods to obtain, process, disseminate, catalog, and summarize information.
• Analyzing the legal impact of legislative developments and administrative/judicial decisions, opinions/rulings on Agency programs.
• Conducting research for the preparation of legal opinions on matters of interest to the Agency.
• Drafting legal documents and coordinating with inventors and clients.
• Maintaining legal files and various software applications to extract legal information to compile reports.
• Preparing reports to Congress and other government agencies.
• Managing functions and responsibilities of special projects/programs within the Office of General Counsel under the general supervision of a Managing Attorney.
• Advising management on project/program matters, offering recommendations, and providing liaison to clients as required.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. A degree in any field is acceptable. Relevant experience must be in a legal function (for example, internship with a government office or legal firm, using legal research tools, working with litigation or legislation, or working as a legal aid, paralegal, or similar work role).

Senior entry is with a high school diploma or GED plus 6 years of relevant experience, or an Associate's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.

Skills

The ideal candidate is someone with a desire for continual learning and who possesses strong communication (oral and written), problem-solving, analytic, interpersonal skills, and is:

• motivated
• detail-oriented
• customer and results oriented
• able to adjust to changing situational requirements
• able to build relationships across the Agency and with external stakeholders
• able to manage multiple tasks with competing timelines and deliverables

Experience and knowledge of law in one or more of the following areas is required for a Litigation Paralegal:

• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• claims
• information security
• employment/personnel issues/EEO litigation
• ethics

Experience and knowledge of law in one or more of the following areas is required for a Technology, Research, and Intellectual Property Paralegal:

• intellectual property (e.g., patent, copyright, trademark)
• managing a docket
• filing documents in a court or administrative body
• managing and maintaining client relationships
• drafting legal documents

Pay, Benefits, & Schedule

Pay: Salary offers are based on candidates' education level and years of experience relevant to the position and also take into account information provided by the hiring manager/organization regarding the work level for the position. Salary Range: $85,447 - $158,322 (Senior). Salary range varies by location, work level, and relevant experience to the position.

Training: Training will be provided based on the selectee's needs and experience.

Benefits: NSA offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position, Monday - Friday, with basic 8hr/day work requirement between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (flexible).

DCIPS Trial Period: If selected for this position, you will be required to serve a two-year DCIPS trial period, unless you are a veterans' preference-eligible employee, in which case you are required to serve a one-year trial period. This trial period runs concurrently with your commitment to the position, if applicable. Before finalizing your appointment at the conclusion of your trial period, NSA will determine whether your continued employment advances the public interest. This decision will be based on factors such as your performance and conduct; the Agency's needs and interests; whether your continued employment would advance the Agency's organizational goals; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. If you do not receive certification for continued employment, you should receive written notice prior to the end of your trial period that your employment will be terminated and the effective date of such termination.