LEGAL ASSISTANT (OFFICE AUTOMATION)

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 Support Positions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade GS-05, or equivalent in other pay systems.

Examples of specialized experience includes knowledge of the organization responsibilities, priorities, policies, and programs and a knowledge of an extensive body of legal rules and procedures, including both federal and state laws, to process unusually difficult and complicated legal support assignments. Also, knowledge of interrelated and nonstandard complex legal support services and terminology to assist the legal staff and provide legal support services to clients.

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-05 level is required to meet the time-in-grade requirements for the GS-06 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; and knowledge of grammar, spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and required 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 required. 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.

• Provides legal assistance support for Staff Judge Advocate and other staff attorneys.
• Provides legal assistance and guidance to clients.
• Reviews and prepares incoming and outgoing administrative correspondence, reports, and messages.
• Performs other administrative and clerical duties in support of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.
• Uses varied and advanced functions of word processing software to create, format, modify, edit, and print a variety of letters, reports, memos, and other textual documents.