LEGAL ASSISTANT

Summary

To provide legal assistance, administrative, claims and legal reviews, and office automation services to support the military and civilian attorneys and other legal specialists assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.

Duties

Provides legal assistance support for Staff Judge Advocate and other staff attorneys. Anticipates need for information pertaining to legal matters and prepares materials on own initiative so they are ready for attorney. Provides legal assistance and guidance to clients. Composes powers of attorney, determining type required for the situation, and counsels client on use and legal consequences under supervision of attorney. Manage and administer the office claims program servicing all Space Base Delta 41 locations. Support the office Victim Witness Assistance Program Coordinator as a Victim Witness Assistant for military and civilian members who are victims or witnesses to crimes investigated or adjudicated by military authorities. Provides management and support to multiple programs within the office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Serves as the primary government purchase cardholder and facilitates the purchase and maintenance of office supplies and equipment. Performs other administrative and clerical duties in support of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. Prepares monthly and annual reports by tracking statistics and assembling and analyzing data. Develops findings, recommendations, and justifications.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the specialized experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Clerical and Administrative Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-4/NK-1, or equivalent in other pay systems. Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge, skills, abilities and understanding of the technical requirements of the job. Achieves, demonstrates and maintains the appropriate qualifications necessary to assume and execute key acquisition and/or support requirements. Demonstrates skilled critical thinking in identifying, analyzing and solving complex issues, as appropriate. Takes and displays personal accountability in leading, overseeing, guiding, and/or managing programs and projects within assigned areas of responsibility. FEDERAL TIME-IN-GRADE (TIG) REQUIREMENT FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE (GS) POSITIONS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-4/NK-1 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the NK-2 level. TIG applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. NOTE: Applicants applying as VEOA candidates who are current GS civil service employees or are prior GS civil service employees within the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas: Knowledge of rules, procedures, policies, and programs of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate to perform the procedural and administrative work of the organization such as preparing and editing legal documents and administrative correspondence, maintaining files and records, and assembling information for various legal documents and reports. Knowledge of legal services and terminology in the area of claims, civil law, military justice, legal assistance, and legal research techniques. Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, prepare and review correspondence, and perform other administrative work of the organization. Knowledge of required legal formats, directives, word processing and office automation software programs to support office operations and produce a variety of documents, such as letters, reports, memos, spreadsheets, databases, graphs, form letters, and other legal and administrative documents. Skill in typing; a qualified typist is required. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including proper grammar, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation AND Ability to use online sources to conduct legal research, including the ability to interpret and apply regulatory and procedural requirements to process unusually difficult and complicated transactions. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

IF USING EDUCATION TO QUALIFY: If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcripts with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.