Legal Assistant (Office Automation)

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The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal assistance, administrative and office automation services to support the military and civilian attorneys and other legal specialists assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. ARE YOU USING YOUR EDUCATION TO QUALIFY? If position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications, you MUST submit transcriptswith 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. This position is temporary and has a Not-to-Exceed date. However, this position may be extended to the fullest legally allowable period without further competition. The appointment may also end early due to lack of work or funds.

1. Provides legal assistance support for Staff Judge Advocate and other staff attorneys.
2. Provides legal assistance and guidance to clients.
3. Reviews and prepares incoming and outgoing administrative correspondence, reports and messages.
4. Performs other administrative and clerical duties in support of the office of the Staff Judge Advocate.
5. Assists in the recruitment and placement services to law schools and ROTC detachments within office designated area.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have, or within 120 days of the closing date of this announcement will have, at least 1 year (52 weeks) of specialized experience which is equivalent to Federal experience at the next lower grade (GS-04), level, pay band (NK-1), or equivalent (pay schedule, pay band, etc). Specialized experience is described as: Knowledge of, and skill in applying, established rules, processes, and procedures in a legal or claims office sufficient to: compare straightforward information on claims forms or legal documents with basic requirements for legal services provided by the office; use personal computers and office software programs, such as word processing programs, as needed, to enter data, complete forms, and correct errors and omissions on documents, files, and records; and use required formats with correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

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 grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation and required legal formats and directives regarding preparation of written communications to produce legal formats and directives regarding preparation of written communications to produce legal and administrative documents and communications.
• Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, prepare and review correspondence and perform other administrative work of the organization.
• Knowledge of word processing automation software functions to support office operations and produce a variety of textual documents, such as letters, reports, memos and form letters.
• Skill in typing; a qualified typist is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• 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.