Temporary Paralegal/Legal Assistant III (SCA 30363)
About The Position
The Paralegal/Legal Assistant III will provide assistance to the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) with processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) NETL manages and administers its Freedom of Information Act request activities within its Office of Chief Counsel (OCC). OCC works with internal and external entities to process FOIA requests from persons seeking records or information from DOE NETL. The records associated with these requests are often complex and voluminous. OCC processes FOIA requests for many types of official government records. These requests are received on an ongoing basis, and many involve multiple records and record custodians. Support is needed to locate documents, communicate with internal and external document custodians and stakeholders, and to organize FOIA responses for release.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies or associated degree in Criminal Justice, Criminal Law, Political Science or Intellectual Property.
- Practical knowledge of subject matter areas related to the agency's substantive programs.
- Minimum 5 years’ office experience in administrative, technical and/or customer service function.
- Proficiency with Microsoft products, Adobe Pro and FOIAXpress to communicate, locate requested documents/information, prepare responses, apply redactions, submit reports, administer FOIA case files and otherwise carry out all required tasks for assigned FOIA requests.
- Excellent grammatical and proofreading skills.
- Ability to anticipate requirements, apply judgement and choose among widely varying methods and procedures to prioritize and process tasks.
- Ability to communicate and interact with others at various levels of management, both in person and/or by telephone to conduct business.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to work under time pressure and rapidly for long periods to meet deadlines.
- Must be able to operate general office equipment including but not limited to a computer, phones, fax, copiers, printers and related media and information devices.
- Detail oriented.
- Excellent attitude, courteous and professional demeanor, and enthusiastic team member.
Nice To Haves
- A Masters Degree in Paralegal Studies or a Juris Doctor (JD) Law Degree.
Responsibilities
- Conduct timely searches for responsive documents to collect data for responses to FOIA requests.
- Communicate with internal and external document custodians and stakeholders as needed to locate requested information and organize a draft response.
- Provide ad hoc and standard organizational support to include the gathering and compilation of information for requests for information.
- Protect confidential information and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) by redacting information using Adobe Pro Software or by requesting redacted copies from relevant entities.
- Draft responses to OCC, requestors, and to senior management (as necessary).
- Review, analyze and organize data collected to create draft responses for OCC review in compliance with FOIA policy and established program procedures and practices.
- Release responsive records to requesters within prescribed timeframes.
- Track requests and inquiries against deadlines to ensure timely responses.
- Update case files in FOIAXpress.
- Provide weekly reports and updates to the FOIA Officer regarding the status of cases.
- Other duties as assigned to ensure timely project execution.
Benefits
- health, dental, vision, and life insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- paid time off
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
