Paralegal Specialist
Location: Washington, DC
Job ID: 24566
Salary: $60,349 - $77,699
Closing Date: January 4, 2024
Job Summary
This position is located in the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). OAH is an administrative court that provides adjudication services for over 40 District of Columbia agencies, boards, and commissions OAH is a neutral, impartial tribunal charged with harmonizing rules and procedures to improve fairness and efficiency and to ensure that constitutional and statutory due process requirements are met.
This position functions as Paralegal Specialist, responsible for providing legal support services which facilitate the work of the legal staff within OAH. The incumbent may also conduct legal research and analysis of legislative history and precedent cases, decisions, and opinions that may be applicable to particular legal matters.
Duties and Responsibilities
Drafts opinions and orders issued by Administrative Law Judges, which require review, analysis and organization of facts and evidence; the analysis of legal issues; the application of law to fact; the drawing of legal conclusions; and the rendition of clear, effective, and precise written presentations. Drafts responses to motions filed by parties to be issued by Administrative Law Judges. Performs legal research, including search of statutes, regulations, legislative history, case law, and other legal authorities on points of law. Reviews case files; listens to digital recordings; reviews transcripts, pleadings, testimony, exhibits, hearing records and briefs of parties. Reviews and tracks statutory, regulatory and policy issuances and updates. Supports Attorney-Advisors in legal and programmatic initiatives related to OAH's jurisdictions. Supports and assists General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Attorney-Advisors in internal investigations, disciplinary actions, and memorialization of incidents.
May prepare, maintain, retrieve, and deliver case files and documents, as requested. Makes copies of requested records; and assembles documents for use by OAH staff. Reviews documents for completeness and accuracy and rejects incomplete documents. Receives and date- stamp documents on behalf of OAH. May generate reports on operations utilizing data from OAH's case management system and other sources. May update and maintain OAH's calendaring system. May perform telephone and public counter duties. Responds to questions, without providing legal advice, regarding court procedures, filing processes, calendaring, procedures, case status, fees, adjudicated fines, and other processes. Keeps abreast of OAH's jurisdictions and areas of law, as required.
Qualifications and Education Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialist experience includes knowledge of basic legal principles and concepts to interpret and apply, or explain the application of the body of law, regulations, precedents, and practices. Knowledge of legal reference materials and research methods, including computerized legal research systems, in order to locate precedent settings decisions which have a bearing on a particular legal issue.
Skill in analyzing issues and facts for writing draft documents and orders for the Office of the General Counsel and for Administrative Law Judges. Basic knowledge of and skill in applying, standardized rules and procedures sufficient to perform data and policy research and analysis.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited school is highly preferred.
