Summary 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-NV-12838263-MS. Responsibilities If selected for this position you will serve as a Legal Assistant responsible for directly and independently supporting Attorneys by providing clerical and administrative support as well as a wide variety of technical assistance services related to investigations and prosecutions of immigration and immigration related matters, national security, child exploitation, human trafficking and violent crimes involving death or serious bodily injury with death penalty eligibility. The work requires specialized knowledge of the processes, procedures, and practices of special prosecution cases, knowledge of clerical and administrative office skills and an ability to apply these skills to increase the effectiveness of the assigned Assistant U.S. Attorneys. Typical duties include but are not limited to: Maintains calendars and schedules of meetings, active cases, hearings and trial dates. Provides administrative support such as arranging travel, scheduling conferences, meetings and interviews. Furnishes requested information for pending and closed matters and cases and general procedures of the office along with visitors and calls. Provides substantive assistance to Attorneys in complex investigations and prosecutions of immigration and immigration related matters, national security, violent crimes (I.e., threats to commit serious bodily injury or death, serial armed robberies, kidnappings, home invasions), child exploitation cases (i.e., international sex tourism, internet enticement of children and production of child pornography), domestic and international human trafficking cases, and other death penalty eligible offenses. Assists in conducting factual research of issues using various legal and non-legal databases and websites at the request of attorneys. Aids in preparing and organizing evidence for production as discovery and contributing to reports summarizing the case status including legal and factual issues, and case developments. Prepares legal actions such as, criminal complaints, search warrants, judgements, applications, notices, affidavits, summonses, grand jury subpoenas, rules to show cause, proof of claim and satisfaction judgement. Manages discovery and evidence electronically and may present the exhibits using trial presentation software in court. Assists in preparing witness binders and for use during investigations and trial. Assists attorneys in trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications GS-8:To be eligible at the GS-8 level, you must meet one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level or pay band in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience performing the following @types of duties: providing expert technical legal support, demonstrated knowledge of legal processes and procedures, performing difficult and complex assignments in support of trial team, providing technical guidance to other support staff, and using automated software to produce legal related reports and documents. Conducting complex research in a legal area using various legal and non-legal databases and websites; knowledge of legal terminology and the litigation process, preparing a wide variety of legal documents which are voluminous and complex in format 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.) Selective Placement Factor: A selective placement factor is determined to be essential for successful performance in this position. Those candidates who do not meet the following selective placement factor will be rated "not qualified" for the position. 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/. Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional Information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Selective Service: 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 www.sss.gov. Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Political Appointees (Current or Former): 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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
