Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens and Nationals.

With a talented workforce of over 100,000 people, the mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty and the property of citizens. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Indiana is one of 94 USAOs in the nation.

Hammond is in Northwest Indiana. Minutes away from Chicago, Northwest Indiana offers both low-cost, high-quality living and highly competitive salaries at the Chicago locality rate. The proximity of Chicago also offers a strong legal community, art and cultural institutions, world-class entertainment, and dining. The area boasts a variety of living options - from urban living and suburbs to small towns and rural communities. Northwest Indiana is also home to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Park and the Indiana Dunes State Park - both offering trails, camping and beaches along Lake Michigan.

For more information about the area, visit www.nwiforum.org
For more information about the state of Indiana, visit www.visitindiana.com.

Cases handled involve some of the most complex and difficult in the United States Attorney's office (USAO) because they may require organizing, tracking, and analyzing thousands or tens of thousands of items of evidence, millions of data elements, or involve untried or especially novel computer or digital imaging applications. Automated support is necessary to prepare, organize, index, develop, and manage exhibits, evidence, or other data relevant to cases presented before a jury, grand jury or in other legal proceedings. Typical work assignments will include (but are not limited to):

• Provide technical assistance to litigation teams on legal automation requirements and systems capabilities to facilitate litigation decisions, trial preparation and trial presentation.
• Apply knowledge of Federal Criminal and Civil procedures, court requirements, and district practices to implement new and enhanced computer applications needed for criminal and civil cases.
• Work with Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), investigators, federal agents, and support staffs to determine the most effective strategy to meet litigation needs.
• Identify software packages such as: databases, spreadsheets and word processing applications based on the effectiveness of (1) presenting complex and voluminous evidence, (2) producing graphic demonstrative evidence, and (3) meeting individual user needs.
• Assist and/or trains attorneys and legal support staff in organizing voluminous case information for efficient retrieval through automated means such as scanning, indexing, and controlling of documents into a data base.
• Assure documents are organized for efficient automated storage and retrieval by preparing appropriate indices, defining data file search criteria and indexing/coding fields.

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

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 eligible at the GS-7 level, you must have: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level.

Specialized experience is defined as experience as experience applying Information Technology concepts, methods, standards, and practices as they relate to data and software management, i.e., knowledge of database creation and utilization, installing and configuring software and hardware; and resolves routine software/hardware issues. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service and could have been gained in the federal, public, or private sector; OR

To qualify based on education, you must have completed one of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Analytics/Management, Computer Programming, or Computer/Software Engineering.): one (1) full year of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR four (4) years of undergraduate level education in a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with superior academic achievement (For detailed information regarding a superior academic achievement (S.A.A.), see Section 4, Part F of the Application of Qualification Standards at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4). The education must be obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed college education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, you must have experience and education that equal 100% of the overall requirement when combined.

GS-9: To be eligible at the GS-9 level, you must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in federal service.

Specialized experience for this grade level is defined as experience applying Information Technology concepts, methods, standards, and practices as they relate to automated Litigation Support functions, i.e., maintaining litigation support equipment with assessing service and information requirements needed to complete automated litigation support (ALS) projects. This would include knowledge of database creation and utilization (using programs such as Eclipse SE, and desktop; Law Pre-Discovery, Relativity, IPRO, TrialDirector, TimeMap and CaseMap); electronic data acquisition and processing; pre-trial and trial support, including courtroom presentation services. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the Federal service and could have been gained in the federal, public, or private sector.

To qualify based on education, you must have completed one of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Analytics/Management, Computer Programming, or Computer/Software Engineering.): master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. The education must be obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position.

Combination of Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, you must have experience and education that equal 100% of the overall requirement when combined.

GS-11: To be eligible at the GS-11 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience applying Information Technology concepts, methods, standards, and practices as they relate to automated Litigation Support functions, i.e. developing and managing Litigation Support systems that meet current and future needs. Qualifying experience involved independently performing the following types of duties: assessing service and information requirements needed to complete automated litigation support (ALS) projects as well as making recommendations. This would include knowledge of database creation and utilization (using programs such as Eclipse SE, and desktop; Law Pre-Discovery, Relativity, IPRO, TrialDirector, TimeMap and CaseMap); electronic data acquisition and processing; pre-trial and trial support, including courtroom presentation services. This experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level in the Federal service and could have been gained in the federal, public, or private sector.

To qualify based on education, you must have completed one of the following types of education in a related field (e.g., Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Analytics/Management, Computer Programming, or Computer/Software Engineering.): Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.M., if related. The education must be obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrates that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position; or

Combination of Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate-level education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, you must have experience and education that equal 100% of the overall requirement when combined.

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/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be evaluated and rated using DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified).

You will be rated on the following Competencies (see The OPM Website for definitions):
Accountability, Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Decision Making, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Reasoning, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, and Teamwork

To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and application questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.

The assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package, which includes:
- Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).
- Required: Your resume cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements. Include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job:

• Official position title (if Federal, include series/grade),
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (for full consideration you must include month, day, and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

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.

-Required if you meet qualifications based on education: An unofficial college transcript (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Qualifications" section of this vacancy announcement.
-Required, if applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation.
-Required for Veterans' Preference- If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming in your application and submit the appropriate documentation, as specified below.

• In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, please submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member you must submit a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates: 1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and all the other required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.

-Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.

-If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you must submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found at: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/index.php?title=Reasonable_Accommodations_for_USA_Hire

-Current or Former Political Appointees: 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

Next steps