Paralegal/Legal Assistant I

Enprovera Corporation•Bethesda, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

EnProVera is seeking a Paralegal I to support the US Navy Disability Evaluation System Counsel Program (DESCP). This position will work closely with the Disability Evaluation System (DES) Counsel Program Manager (PM), DES Counsel Program Administrative Officer, and attorneys, and program paralegals and will be assigned related duties as required. The Contractor must be self-motivated and able to manage multiple tasks, able to work with diverse people, work independently, and carry a heavy workload. The scope of work includes but is not limited to:

Requirements

Paralegal Associate’s degree or Paralegal certificate (At least 3-years of experience as a paralegal may be substituted for the degree/certificate requirement).
Strong skill set in time management and complex scheduling.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and maximum accountability.
Excellent computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint, as well as Adobe and the internet based file sharing program DOD SAFE.
Experience using online legal research tools such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, etc.
Experience performing substantive legal analysis, communicating the issue(s), and applying the legal research in clear and concise oral or written form.
Experience using case management systems.
Experience working with a geographically separated team that may include remote members.
Experience preparing and organizing case exhibits.
Demonstrated ability to convey written information in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience, using correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Demonstrated ability to work with clients as well as external stakeholders.
Ability to work as a team member and work effectively with diverse people.
Demonstrated awareness of, and value for, cultural competence.
Physical ability to stoop, kneel, bend, use a computer and perform light lifting.
Personnel are expected to conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner at all times. Federal regulations prohibit the use of any controlled substances and alcoholic beverages while Contractor employees are working on Federal property or in Federal installations. Contractor personnel shall be made aware of these requirements prior to placement. Inappropriate conduct and/or substance abuse will not be tolerated. The Contractor will be responsible for removing any individual violating these provisions from the government facility and taking other actions as appropriate. The DES Counsel Program Manager may request removal of a contractor employee for improper conduct. A security violation will require immediate removal.

Responsibilities

Directly supports all DESCP attorneys in the representation of DESCP clients processing through the DES. Incumbent utilizes knowledge of the Department of the Navy (DON) Correspondence Manual and appropriate reporting formats to review and recommend corrections and additions to correspondence, memorandums, and pleadings.
Independently locates all information; researches relevant state, federal and U.S. Government legislation, regulations, codes, DON Directives, DON Instructions, DON Manuals, Department of Defense (DoD) Directives, DoD Instructions, DoD Manuals, and case and other legal precedents, and, as needed, consults with other Federal agencies regarding the regulations and related cases and requests for information.
Provides legal analysis and interpretations of all such directives, instructions, manuals and applicable laws for supported DES Counsel attorneys.
Facilitates vectoring and resolution of DES process questions through the Office of the Secretary of Defense (Health Service Policy and Oversight), Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and DES attorneys in their representation of individual Service members.
Summarizes the factual situation, the basis of the request or legal issues presented, and the relevant case law.
Analyzes the facts and law and recommends and justifies a course of action that the DES attorney should execute regarding the legal issue via a legal memorandum and/or brief with legal points and authorities.
Provides attorneys with a written analysis of cases upon request. Analysis includes chronology of events, legal issues involved, and recommendations as to proper handling and disposition of the case. All draft documents contain legal analysis and verified citations and legal references.
Utilizes databases such as LexisNexis, Westlaw, VA’s Veterans Tracking Application (VTA), and their websites to conduct legal research.
Creates and maintains database spreadsheets in a format such as Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access for internal statistical purposes.
Prepares presentations or reports as directed using tools such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and SharePoint for use at training conferences and delivers outreach and training briefs to attorneys and non-attorneys at DON sponsored outreach and training events.
Assists the DESCP as needed with maintaining a centralized appointment calendar for attorneys and independently schedules appointments through the DESCP appointment system as directed by the DESCP Program Manager or his or her designee to ensure deadlines are met.
Utilizes the DESCP case management system for DES case processing as directed.
Assists DESCP staff with client intake and check-in.
Answers the phone and directs callers to appropriate office or takes messages, as appropriate.
Participates in interviews of clients and witnesses, finds, interviews and prepares expert witnesses, organizes and manages the case file and researches legislation and case law related to the case, drafts briefs for review by DES attorneys and timely files them as directed by the DESCP Program Manager or his or her designee.
Coordinates and processes all incoming and outgoing mail for the supported DESCP attorneys; ensures timely processing of all purchase requests, equipment maintenance and service requests and timely coordinates travel and logistics arrangements of clients, attorneys, and witnesses who need to travel in support of PEB proceedings involving supported DESCP attorneys and their clients.