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Posted: February 9, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Legal Assistant (Office Automation)

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$63,081 - $82,007

per year

Type

Closes

February 23, 2026More DOJ jobs →

GS-7 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $41,966 - $54,557

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-6. Bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement or 1 year graduate study.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job is for a legal assistant who helps lawyers in a U.S.

Attorney's office by preparing and organizing legal papers, checking details for accuracy, and supporting court preparations like trials or hearings.

It's based in San Jose, California, and involves using computers for research and document creation.

A good fit would be someone with office experience in legal settings, strong attention to detail, and solid typing skills who enjoys supporting legal teams.

Key Requirements

  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-6, including preparing legal documents like complaints, motions, and subpoenas
  • Ability to verify citations and statutory references in legal documents
  • Experience assisting with trial preparation, such as compiling notebooks, jury instructions, witness lists, and exhibits
  • Proficiency in using applications and databases for legal research, reports, and courtroom presentations
  • Typing speed of at least 40 words per minute with three or fewer errors
  • Willingness to receive formal or on-the-job training as needed

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-NDCA-12879763-MS.

GS-7: To be eligible at the GS-7 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level.

Specialized experience is defined as experience providing trial support to attorneys by preparing complaints, motions, subpoenas, orders, or other hearing and/or trial documents accurately and in proper format; verifying citations and statutory references contained in legal documents; assisting with discovery, hearing or trial preparation by performing duties such as compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists; and using applications and legal and non-legal databases to produce legal related reports and documents, conduct factual research, develop tables of contents and indices to briefs, and prepare courtroom presentations.

To be qualified, you must type at least 40 words per minute based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors.

(A typing test may later be required.) 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:

You will support Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSA) by providing a variety of legal assistance and office support services.

If selected, you will receive formal and/or on-the-job training as needed.

Duties include: Examining, preparing and processing technical legal documents, e.g., complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, subpoenas, and libels.

Proofreading and cite checking legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents.

Providing assistance to AUSAs in trial preparation by conducting research of litigation, statutes, regulations and court cases. Assembling exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents.

Coordinates Grand Jury operations, including preparing and distributing final schedules, ensuring all parties (e.g., courts and court reporting services) are notified in advance, arranging interpreter services as needed, and serving as a point of contact for Grand Jury logistics in the San Jose Branch Office.

Provides administrative and case support for Grand Jury proceedings, including preparing payment work orders and downloading, processing, and distributing transcripts to AUSAs through online file sharing platforms.

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

Each grade has 10 step rates and GS employees are usually hired at step one of the applicable GS grade level at which the applicant qualified.

The salary range for a GS-7 in San Jose, California is $63,081 - $82,007 (step 1 through step 10).

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/9/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/10/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-NDCA-12879762-DE