Legal Administrative Specialist

Full Job Description

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-ILS-12853978-MS.

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/. Major Duties:

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for directly and independently providing a wide range of legal support services to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Illinois.

Typical work assignments will include: Examining, preparing, and processing a variety of technical legal documents. Proofreading and cite checking legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents.

Providing automated assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and assisting with courtroom presentations using various software applications and graphics hardware.

Assisting in the receipt, evaluation, production, and presentation of discovery. Assembling and organizing files and records material for disposition or transfer to records depository.

Maintaining calendar of assigned active cases, tracking filing, hearing, trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews.

Arranging travel by preparing itinerary and securing transportation and hotel reservations.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.