Paralegal Specialist

Job Details

Qualifications & Requirements

GS-11: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service, obtained in either the private or public sector: Providing customer service by responding to internal or external customer inquiries. Utilizing Microsoft Office applications or equivalent, such as Outlook, Word, Internet Explorer, PowerPoint, Excel, and/or Access to produce documents. Reviewing residential and business loan documents for compliance within established statutes or regulations. Assisting borrowers with closing residential and business loans. Provides guidance as a team lead monitoring workload or leading a project. These qualifications must be clearly referenced in your resume. Education Substitution: GS-11: 3 academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a field directly related to the position. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Law, Legal Studies, Paralegal Studies, or related degrees OR LL.M., in a field directly related to the position. Education must be in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR A combination experience as described in "A" and graduate level education as described in "B", when combined, are equivalent to 100% of the qualification requirement. Only graduate level education in excess of two full years (36 semester hours) may be used in this calculation. To compute, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 36 semester hours, and then divide that number by 18 to arrive at a percentage. Then, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12 to arrive at a second percentage. Add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100% to qualify. Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualifications Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions. It is available for your review on OPM's Qualifications web site: 0950-11 OPM Qualification Standards 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. Generally, time in Non-Pay status as a federal employee is not creditable towards the specialized experience requirement listed above. All qualification requirements must be met by 11:59 pm (Eastern Time) on 08/27/2026.

Position Overview

This position is located in the Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center - PDC in FT Worth, TX. The employee serves as a Paralegal Specialist, and works with attorneys in the processing, closing and disbursing of all disaster loans. Employee receives work assignments and general direction and supervision from the Assistant Center Director-Accounts / Deputy Assistant Center Director-Accounts, or their designee.

Duties

• As a/an Paralegal Specialist at theGS- 0950-11, some of your typical work assignments may include: Reviews loan authorizations, closing, and supporting legal documents to ensure compliance with applicable requirements, policies, and procedures. Manages a portfolio of disaster loans, including complex cases, and performs loan closing and disbursement activities. Reviews borrower submissions and supporting documentation to identify deficiencies and resolve issues affecting loan closing or disbursement. Researches applicable state and local laws, regulations, filing requirements, and customary practices related to loan and real estate transactions. Provides guidance to borrowers, representatives, and team members regarding loan requirements, documentation, policies, and procedures. IMPORTANT NOTES: TRAVEL STATEMENT- You may be required to travel to a disaster site during increased disaster activity for extended periods with little or no advanced notice. If so, you may encounter hazardous working and/or living conditions; i.e., no water or electricity and/or minimal lodging facilities. Travel expenses are compensated based on SBA policy and Federal regulations. This position works on an as needed basis. This means that employees are in a pay and duty status only when activated to respond to workload needs, especially in response to heightened disaster activity. When no longer needed, employees return to a non-pay status until the next event necessitates additional staff. However, depending on the workload and/or level of disaster activity, your work schedule may be changed to full-time. Subsequently, if the workload decreases, you may be placed in a NonPay Status. Mandatory Overtime: In order to respond quickly and efficiently to disaster survivors, substantial compensated overtime hours may be required while on assignment (up to seven days a week and twelve to fourteen hours a day). A valid driver's license may be required.