Clarification from the agency

Well-qualified surplus/displaced Federal employees (CTAP/ICTAP) in the local area and current/former Federal employees in permanent competitive service positions (status candidates). 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, Interchange Agreement Eligible, and certain veterans, e.g., VRA, 30% Disabled.

This announcement is open for 30 days and will close at 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/19/2026. Applicants will be referred every 2 weeks throughout the open period, based on the schedule below. Applicants must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the cut-off dates listed below. Eligibility and qualification claims are subject to verification.

1. First Cut-Off - June 4, 2026: To be considered in the first review, applicants must submit their application package and complete the USA Hire assessments by June 4, 2006..
2. Final Cut-Off - June 19, 2026: Applicants who submit their application package and complete the USA Hire assessments after June 4, 2026, but by June 19, 2026, will be considered in the final review.

This position is also being announced to all US Citizens and Nationals under 26-FLS-12963903-DE.

This Legal Administrative Specialist (Litigation Support) supports civil and/or criminal case teams by performing routine litigation support duties necessary to prepare or manage electronic discovery, evidence, exhibits, and other electronically stored information (ESI) relevant to investigations and casework, using a variety of methods and software applications.

If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing Legal Administrative Specialist (Litigation Support) support in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Fort Pierce, Florida; Miami, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida, focusing in the areas of litigation support; customer support; project management; case presentation and preparation.

Typical work assignments will include:

• Performing routine litigation support duties necessary to process common electronically stored information (ESI) (e.g., PDF files, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint files, emails, etc.) and prepare it for review or production by the case team.
• Performing routine litigation support tasks relating to case teams' review of common ESI.
• Providing advice, customer support services, and project management services in connection with electronic discovery, litigation support projects, and litigation technology software applications.
• Providing technical assistance to case teams presenting or filing electronic evidence or exhibits in civil or criminal legal proceedings.

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

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National to apply for this position.
• Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see http://www.sss.gov/).
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• 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.
• A probationary period may be required.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• Must provide resume and supporting documents (See required documents).
• Time-in-Grade: Current or former Federal employees applying under merit promotion considerations must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements for consideration within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
• You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.
• As needed, additional selections may be made using this announcement.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience and/or education for the respective grade level in which you are applying:

To qualify at the GS-09 level, you must possess:

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (2) of the (3) duties listed below:

• Performing routine and recurring litigation support assignments (such as processing common electronic files, loading image, native, and text files into document review databases, performing and assisting with basic document review tool functions, preparing basic electronic discovery productions, or preparing electronic materials for filing or presentation in civil or criminal legal proceedings;
• Assisting in analyzing case requirements to identify appropriate litigation support approaches and options;
• Providing automated support to prepare and organize exhibits, evidence, and data relevant to cases presented before a jury, grand jury or in other legal proceedings.

OR
Successful completion of one of the following types of education in a related field, such as (Paralegal studies, Legal studies, Criminal Justice, Business Administration): a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree (such as an LL.B. or J.D.); OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. My education was obtained in an accredited college or university and demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position. (You must submit transcripts.)

OR
A combination of specialized experience as described in A, but less than one year; and I have at least one year of graduate education as described in B, which when combined equals 100% of the requirements. To calculate your percentage of education, first determine the total number of hours that exceed 18 semester hours (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study) then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of qualifying experience, divide your total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (Only graduate education in excess of the first full year may be used in this calculation). (You must submit transcripts.)

To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must possess:

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the Federal service performing (obtained in either the public or private sectors) (2) of the (3) duties listed below:

• Utilizing electronically stored information such as PDF files, portfolios, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, email files, non-standard or proprietary files, audio or video files, to prepare electronic discovery;
• Providing guidance to case teams on best practices and strategies for organizing, storing, reviewing, producing, or presenting electronic case materials related to civil or criminal cases;
• Analyzing litigation support project requirements to define and understand project objectives, sequence of events, work effort, duration of tasks, or associated resource requirements.

OR
Successful completion of one of the following types of education in a related field, such as (Paralegal studies, Legal studies, Criminal Justice, Business Administration): a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; or possession of a LL.M degree. Graduate level education must demonstrate the competencies necessary to do the work of the position. (You must submit your college transcripts.)

OR
A combination of the above-described graduate education and specialized experience. Only graduate level education in excess of the first two years can be used in this calculation. To calculate your percentage of graduate education, first determine the total number of graduate level hours that exceed 36 semester hours (or your school's definition of two years of graduate study), then divide the total number of your excess graduate semester hours by 18 (or your school's definition of one year of graduate study). To calculate your percentage of specialized experience, divide the total number of months of qualifying experience by 12. Now, add the two percentages together. The sum of the percentages must equal at least 100%. (You must submit your college transcripts.)

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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.

If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s). For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.

TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-07is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-09 level. One year at the GS-09is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-11 level.

• You must submit your SF-50 that shows Time-in-Grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade. No award SF-50 will be accepted; recommended SF-50s include promotions and step increases (within grade increases).

How you will be evaluated

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

Promotion Potential (Career Ladder) Statement: This position is being filled at the (GS-09 or GS-11) level with promotion potential to the (GS-11). Promotion or assignment into this career ladder position does not guarantee future advancement. Advancement to the (GS-11) is not automatic and depends on the individual's ability to perform the higher-grade duties, the availability of a sufficient quantity of higher-grade work that would constitute a major duty, and management's decision to assign these higher-grade duties to the employee.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork

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

To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12963904

Note: Failure to submit a resume or supporting documentation may result in elimination for further consideration. You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume: Your resume showing relevant experience, job titles, duties, dates (must include MM/DD/YY for full consideration) of employment and work schedule for each (part-time XX hours per week or full-time). Limit your resume to 2 pages. Only resumes 2 pages in length will be accepted to determine eligibility and qualifications. For more information, view the following link: USAJOBS Help Center - Update your resume now so it meets new resume requirement
• A complete Assessment Questionnaire
• Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50): If you are a current Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
  • You may need to submit more than one SF-50 to demonstrate that you meet time-in-grade requirements.
  • If you are a former Federal employee, you must submit a copy of your separation SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status.
  • If you are a former Federal employee who previously held a career or career-conditional position in the competitive service, separated from the Federal Government over a year ago, and your last performance rating on record as a Federal employee was at least Fully Successful (or equivalent), you must submit a copy of your separation SF-50 or equivalent personnel action form reflecting your permanent, competitive status AND your last Federal performance appraisal plan.
• Other supporting documents:
  • College transcripts If you meet qualifications based on education:
    • An unofficial college transcript. (If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.)
  • Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable:
    • In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, you must 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); or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
    • 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 required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.
• Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA):
  • You must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge to be considered. To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of continuous active service. NOTE: Current employees applying under VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show they meet time-in-grade requirements.
• 30% or more Disabled Veteran.
  • You must submit your DD214, a completed SF-15, and letter from the VA dated 1991 or later to be considered.
• Documentation supporting eligibility for non-competitive appointment (severely disabled, eligible veterans, certain military spouses, etc.)
• CTAP/ICTAP Documentation
  • A copy of your RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for failure to relocate, notice of disability annuity termination, or certification from the National Guard Bureau or Military Department that you are eligible for disability retirement;
  • A copy of your SF-50 "Notification of Personnel Action'', documenting your RIF separation, noting your positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to place you through RPL, etc.;
  • A copy of your latest performance appraisal including your rating; and
  • Any documentation from your agency that shows your current promotion potential.
• Are you a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee? Submit 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