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-ILS-12942567-MS. . Responsibilities If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for providing a variety of legal support servicers to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Illinois.Typical work assignments will include: Providing substantive assistance to attorneys in matters related to defensive litigation, to include suits under the Federal Tort Claims Act, allegations of discrimination in Federal employment, challenges to agency actions and government procurement, appeals under the Social Security Acts, suits seeking the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, and the defense of government officials sued in their official capacities. Preparing a wide variety of voluminous and complex legal documents and actions. Acting as a legal assistant subject matter expert with defensive litigation matters and providing guidance to other legal assistants in specific tasks, reference materials, and policy. Conducting non-complex research of legislation, statutes, regulations, and court cases related to the legal specialty area of defensive litigation. Maintaining calendar of assigned active cases, to include tracking filing, hearing, and trial dates, as well as scheduling conferences and interviews. Arranging travel by preparing itinerary and securing transportation and hotel reservations. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:GS-08: To be found qualified at the GS-08 level, you must have at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in federal service. Specialized Experience is defined as experience performing the following @type of work and/or tasks: Performing legal support work associated in the specialty area of law (e.g., defensive litigation) by examining, preparing and processing legal documents (i.e., complaints, answers, discovery request, affidavits, subpoenas, notices, etc.) conducting research to analyze and prepare reports on statutes, court decisions, legal opinions and/or other legal documents; and utilizing software applications for tracking case statuses. 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.) 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 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/Policy: 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. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. 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.
