Clarification from the agency

Well-qualified surplus/displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) in the local area. VEOA eligibles and those eligible for non-competitive appointment under special hiring authority, e.g., Individuals with Disabilities, Military Spouses, former Overseas employees, VISTA/Peace Corps, some Land Management employees, and certain veterans, e.g., VRA, 30% Disabled.

This job is also open in another announcement to:

The public

Overview of the United States Attorney's Office - Northern District of Indiana
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 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 http://www.sss.gov/.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
• You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.
• Delete if not applicable: If selected, you will be subject to the satisfactory completion of a one year supervisory or managerial probationary period unless this requirement has been met previously.

Qualifications

GS-5: 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.

How you will be evaluated

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

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 Occupational 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 you are found to be among the top candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

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

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.

You must provide 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 you are a current or former Federal employee: a recent copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing title, series, grade, and full performance level (FPL); AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note your SF-50 must include your FPL in the remark section (e.g., appointment, reassignment, promotion actions), pay adjustments and awards do not include this information so they are not acceptable.

-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.

- Required, if applicable: VEOA documentation 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).

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.

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