WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As an Legal Assistant , you will use your knowledge and experience to optimize business results and customer experience by:

• Reviews requests for advice and other legal documents and screens outgoing memoranda, correspondence and documents for clarity accuracy and completeness. Ensures outgoing documents comply with legal format requirements.
• Annotates case files and status reports to reflect receipt and due dates for response or other action and maintains an automated tracking system of all cases in the Division. Maintains and updated litigation report for the attorneys.
• Coordinate necessary arrangements for travel, arranges schedule of visits, makes reservations, notifies organization and officials to be visited, and prepares travel vouchers via the automated travel management system. Keep attorney(s) and supervisor(s) informed of important matters while in travel status based on knowledge of program activities and current priorities.
• Receives both written and telephone requests for assistance and makes a preliminary determination of appropriate handling. Obtains available information and documents necessary for resolution by the attorneys.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Males born after December 31, 1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service - http://www.sss.gov
• Suitable for federal employment
• Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication. All information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.
• Documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice.
• All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date.
• Probationary (or trial) period may be required.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
GS-07 Specialized Experience
You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-06 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Gathering information to prepare working documents and forms.
• Preparing confidential and time sensitive correspondence for review by senior leadership.
• Managing the scheduling of appointments for visitors and/or travel for others.

GS-08 Specialized Experience
You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Applying legal regulations, policies and procedures for complex legal documents and cases to conduct extensive searches of records, references, or historical matter.
• Preparing confidential and time sensitive correspondence for review by senior leadership.
• Managing the scheduling of appointments for visitors and/or travel for others.
• Provide legal support on behalf of a client agency.

GS-09 Specialized Experience
You must have one year specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Applying legal regulations, policies and procedures for complex legal documents and cases to conduct extensive searches of records, references, or historical mater.
• Identifying and/or recommending improvements of legal and office procedures and workflow patterns for subordinate organizations to supervisor and senior staff.
• Coordinating necessary arrangements for travel, arranging schedule of visits, making reservations, notifying organization and officials to be visited, and/or preparing travel vouchers via the automated travel management system.
• Correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, style, and legal and technical terminology and formats required.
• Providing legal support on behalf of a client agency.

Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above.

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; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited.

OPM Qualification General Policies Website

How you will be evaluated

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

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this announcement. Evaluation will be based on your application materials (such as your resume and supporting documents), your responses to the application questionnaire, and the results of all required assessments.

Resume Requirement
Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages in length.

Minimum Qualification Question
As part of the application process, you must answer a minimum qualification question addressing whether you meet the Specialized Experience required for this position, as described in this announcement.

Your response must be supported by the experience documented in your resume. If your resume does not demonstrate the required Specialized Experience, you may be found not qualified.

Assessment Process

USA Hire Technical Assessment
You are required to complete a USA Hire technical assessment to evaluate the job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position.

Applicants who successfully pass the assessment(s) may be referred to the Hiring Manager for consideration.

You must complete all required steps in the process, including submitting an application and resume and participating in the structured interview, to be considered for this position.

Additional selections may be made for similar positions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) within the local commuting area(s) of the location identified in this announcement. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s) at HHS. Clearance of CTAP/ICTAP will be applied for similar positions across HHS.

Category rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories:

• Best Qualified - Applicants who have experience that is almost identical to those required by the position.
• Well Qualified - Applicants who have experience that is very similar to those required by the position.
• Qualified - Applicants who meet minimum qualification requirements, but do not identify any additional qualifying experience or skill.

Candidates in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.

The Category Rating Process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

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
  • Oral Communication
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self Management
  • 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/12917154

Submission of a resume alone IS NOT a complete application. You must provide a complete online Application Package which includes:

• Resume must not exceed two (2) pages and must support responses to the online application. Failure to submit a resume and all required documentation identified in this announcement may result in removal from further consideration. Use of the USAJOBS Resume Builder is encouraged to ensure all required information is included. Resumes must include duties, accomplishments, related skills, and start and end dates (month/day/year) for each position. Full-time employment will be assumed unless otherwise indicated; part-time experience will be prorated. Incomplete information may affect eligibility or rating.
• A complete online application

Other Supporting Documents, as applicable:

• College transcript, if qualifying all or in part based on your education.
• Veterans' Preference:
  • Discharged Veterans:
    • 5 point preference: copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from the armed forces that supports dates of service and discharge status
    • 10 point preference: Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference (SF-15) and an official document dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, and/or any other associated documentation based on your preference
  • Active Duty Members: Under the VOW (Veterans Opportunity to Work) to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, if claiming 5 point preference, submit written documentation from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with the application package

• RPL Documentation: Candidates must submit all documents required to demonstrate that they meet the qualifications of the position
  • If separated due to Reduction in Force (RIF):
    • Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level
    • SF-50 showing Separation - RIF. If not available, submit official documentation of Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice or a proposed removal/separation notice
    • Latest performance rating showing rating score
  • If separated due to Compensable Injury:
    • Most recent SF-50, or equivalent, that shows position occupied; tenure; grade and step; salary; and full performance level
    • SF-50, which shows separation, or SF-50 showing acceptance of position at a lower grade or pay level in lieu of separation
    • Notification from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, that injury compensation benefits have ceased or will cease
    • Latest performance rating and rating of record (if separate documents) showing rating score

• CTAP/ICTAP
  • 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
  • SF-50, showing positions, grade level, and duty location, and/or Agency certification of inability to be placed through RPL, etc
  • Latest performance appraisal including rating
  • Documentation from your agency showing current promotion potential
• Military Spouse Documentation Overseas Military Spouse: Copy of Military sponsor's PCS orders and a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage. If applicable, a copy of most recent SF-50
• Certain Military Spouse: For all categories below, a valid marriage certificate or other documentation verifying marriage. Additional supporting documentation requirements differ for each category
  • Spouse of a service member on active duty, you are required to submit a copy of the service member's current orders or a Statement of Service letter. The Statement of Service must be signed by the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of the service member's unit or higher headquarters, AND the Statement of Service letter must include dates of active-duty service. For current federal employees, submit a copy of the most recent SF-50
  • Spouse of a service member who incurred a 100% disability because of the service member's active duty service, you are required to submit a copy of your spouse's DD-214 and a copy of documentation from the Department of Veteran's Affairs or the Department of Defense indicating the service member has a disability rating of 100% due to a service connected disability
  • Spouse of a service member who was killed while on active duty, submit a copy of the spouse's DD-1300 documenting the service member was killed while on active duty and a statement certifying that you have not remarried

Official documents are not required at this time; copies are sufficient; may be requested upon selection.

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