LEGAL ASSISTANT

SummaryAbout the Position: This is a Legal Assistant, GS-0986-05 Target GS-08 position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Southwestern Division (SWD), Fort Worth District, Office of Counsel. This position is full-time and permanent and will be located in Fort Worth, TX. The position may be filled at the entry level, GS-05, or at the full performance grade of GS-08.Learn more about this agencyHelpDuties• Incumbent works under the general supervision of the Deputy District Counsel, who outlines assignments and continuing responsibilities.• Aids and assists the District's Claims Officer in processing non-contractual (tort) claims.• Receives, records, reviews, researches, and acknowledges Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests for the District.• Performs legal research and policy and regulatory research.• Works closely with attorneys to prepare legal documents, including Memorandum to Headquarters.• Prepares travel and training requests and maintains records.• Assists attorneys in processing contract claims and appeals.• Assists attorneys with litigation support. Prepares litigation hold documents and makes arrangements, for location of hearings and trials and schedules court reporters.• Utilizing an automated Law Management Information system, maintains a log of all matters (except intellectual property) handled by the office, ensuring that all data is accurate and up-to-date.• Serves as the initial point of contact for the Office of Counsel by receiving visitors and answering telephone calls, screening them to determine which can be handled personally and referring others, as appropriate.• Develops and maintains capability in word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, financial management systems, office management network information systems, and automated legal research.HelpRequirementsConditions of Employment• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.QualificationsWho May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.• Current Department of Army Civilian Employees• Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)• Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan• Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act• Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473• Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible• Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible• Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement• Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible• Reinstatement• Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998In order to qualify, you must meet the education or experience requirements described below. 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; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.To Qualify For The GS-05Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) utilizing automated office software to prepare documents or correspondence for a legal office; OR 2) conducting file maintenance to maintain/dispose legal records. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04).OREducation: Four years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.ORCombination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages.To Qualify For The GS-08Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) utilizing automated systems and/or databases to retrieve, update and/or store legal information; AND 2) performing legal research and assembling the information for use by attorneys. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).OREducation: One and a half years of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.ORCombination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond one year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages.You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas:• Clerical• Customer Service• Oral CommunicationTime in Grade Requirement for the GS-05: Applicants may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-05 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest nontemporary competitive appointment.Time in Grade Requirement for the GS-08: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07).EducationFOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Additional information• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.• You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.• One year trial/probationary period may be required.• Direct deposit of pay is required.• Selection is subject to restrictions resulting from Department of Defense referral system for displaced employees.• If you have retired from federal service and you are interested in employment as a reemployed annuitant, see the information in the Reemployed Annuitant information sheet.• This is a Legal Career Field position.• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.• Salary includes applicable locality pay or Local Market Supplement.• When you perform a Civilian Permanent Change of Station (PCS) with the government, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers the majority of your entitlements to be taxable. Visit https://www.dfas.mil/civilianemployees/civrelo/Civilian-Moving-Expenses-Tax-Deduction/ for more information.• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) allowances may be authorized, subject to the provisions of the Joint Travel Regulations and an agency determination that a PCS move is in the Government Interest.Read more• Help A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.RK-W2SU02 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT FORT WORTHDO NOT MAILFort Worth, TX 76102US