Legal Administrative Specialist

Summary For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing procedures under 26-VI-12960640-MS. Learn more about this agency Duties In a developmental capacity, incumbent provides assistance to litigation teams on legal automation requirements and systems capabilities to facilitate litigation decisions, trial preparation and trial presentation and applies a basic knowledge of Federal Criminal and Civil procedures, court requirements, and district practices to implement computer applications needed for criminal and civil cases. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Working with Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), investigators, federal agents, and support staffs to determine the most effective strategy to meet litigation needs in organizing voluminous case information for efficient retrieval through automated means such as scanning, indexing and controlling of documents into a data base. Managing and operating a variety of computer hardware such as printers, plotters, audio-visual devices, and other state-of-the-art equipment to conceptualize exhibits and complete special presentation projects. Applying knowledge of U.S. Attorney and court programs, automation requirements, and characteristics to resolve problems. Working with IT staff in diagnosing and resolving litigation support computer system problems and customizing databases and programs modified to meet individual user needs. Maintaining inventory and tracking for a variety of litigation support equipment, i.e., graphics, computer-based equipment, photographing devices, video and audio equipment, models and other items commonly used in trial preparation. Directing the purchase and repair of equipment. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen or National Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Qualifications GS-7: To be qualified at the GS-7 grade level in the federal service, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: specialized experience, education, a combination of education and experience, OR superior academic achievement. Specialized Experience: At least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service performing litigation and administrative support to one or more attorneys by preparing a variety of routine legal documents; assisting with organization of case information; maintaining calendars; assisting attorneys in preparation for court; and verifying legal citations. OR Education: One full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading such to a degree in a related field (e.g., Legal Studies, Law, Criminal Justice, Information Technology). Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of specialized experience and education which when combined equal 100% of the requirements. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Possess a bachelor's degree or expect to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree within the next 9 months AND possess at least one of the following criteria to meet qualifications based on Superior Academic Achievement: (1) Class standing- in the upper third of the graduating class in the college or university. (2) Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - have a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. (3) Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/. Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov OR Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Additional information The salary listed above for this position is supplemented by a Non-Foreign Cost of Living Allowance (COLA). Current COLA rate for the U.S. Virgin Islands is 11.88%. The COLA is not subject to federal or territorial taxation. In addition to accrual of annual leave and sick leave benefits, United States Attorney's Office employees hired from outside the Territory accrue five days of home leave each year after completing two years of continuous service in the district. Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication which includes fingerprints, credit and tax checks and drug testing. Additionally, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Expand Hide  additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.