LEGAL ASSISTANT (COURT)

Summary

Click on “Learn more about this agency” button below for IMPORTANT additional information.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal assistance, administrative, and office organizationaI services to support the military and civilian attorneys and other legal specialists assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge advocate. Serves as a court reporter to the Staff Judge Advocate’s (SJA) office.

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

1. 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 an attorney.
2. Prepares wills by gathering information; explaining requirements and procedures to the client; researching pertinent laws, regulations, and reference materials; preparing draft clauses for unique or unusual bequests; and producing the final document for attorney review.
3. Reviews and prepares incoming and outgoing administrative correspondence, reports, and messages. Reviews incoming mail, applying expert knowledge o subject matter procedures to determine destination and priority.
4. 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. Establishes and maintains operating files and publications reference library in accordance with established procedures.
5. 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. Uses advanced functions to generate table of contents, import graphs or databases, create glossaries, and align multiple columns.
6. Utilizes voice-activated closed microphone or similar mechanical equipment for recording at high-speed dictation during various informal and for all legal proceedings,such as general and special courts-martial, administrative discharge boards.
7. Serves as Victim and Witness Program Coordinator. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, ensuring victims and witnesses are provided a designated liaison.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• All new DCIPS employees are required to complete a two-year DCIPS trial period.
• The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a Critcal Sensitive / Top Secret Security Clearance with access to sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). A Non-Disclosure agreement must be signed.
• PCS expenses WILL NOT be paid IAW JTR and Air Force Regulations.
• This posn is subject to provisions of the DoD Priority Placement Program
• Must be registered for Selective Service, see Legal and Regulatory Guide
• Incumbent is subject to initial and random drug testing.
• Work may occasionally require travel aw y from the normal duty station on military or commercial aircraft or privately owned vehicle.
• Incumbent will be required to function as Notary Public. Must be able to satisfactorily complete training to become a Notary Public and be able to meet bonding or other requirements inherent to the appointment as a Notary Public.
• This position requires initial and periodic pre-employment and random polygraph examinations. Employee is required to successfully complete examinations in accordance with security regulations.
• Disclosure of Political Appointments
• Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain continued access to material, systems, facilities, and/or campus. Work is performed in an office sett ng with adequate heating, ventilation, and lighting.
• The work is sedentary. However, there may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items such as paper and books. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the experience requirements described in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, Clerical and Administrative Support Positions.

***Salary Ranges includes local market supplement***

This is a GG-09 position in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS). The GG-09 duties for the “Technician/Administrative Support” work category are at the “Entry/Developmental” work level and are equivalent to those at the GS-09 level. The selectee’s salary will be set within the grade equivalent to a GS/GG grade based on the selectee’s qualifications in relation to the job.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Your resume must reflect the quality level of experience which demonstrates the possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary for successful job performance required for this position. Examples of creditable experience include: 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 an attorney. Prepares wills by gathering information; explaining requirements and procedures to the client; researching pertinent laws, regulations, and reference materials; preparing draft clauses for unique or unusual bequests; and producing the final document for attorney review. Utilizes voice-activated closed microphone or similar mechanical equipment for recording at high-speed dictation during various informal and for all legal proceedings,such as general and special courts-martial, administrative discharge boards. Note: Creditable experience may include previous military experience, experience gained in the private sector, or experience gained in another government agency.

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:

I. 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. Maintains files and records and assembling information for various legal documents and reports.

2. Knowledge of office functions to screen telephone calls and visitors, prepare and review correspondence, a perform other administrative work of the organization.

3. 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.

4. Knowledge of voice-activated closed microphones or similar mechanical equipment functions to prepare verbatim proceedings.

5. Skill in effective verbal, written and non-verbal communications.

6. 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

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

120-Day Register: This announcement may result in a 120-day register that may be used to fill like vacancies for 120 days after the closing date. Applicants may be referred for consideration as vacancies occur.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit.

If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding Alternate Application. The Vacancy ID is 12033258

If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Selectees who physically reside permanently in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during the entire recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) and selected for employment in the foreign area are eligible to receive certain foreign area benefits such as: Living Quarters Allowance (LQA) or government quarters, Post Allowance, Home Leave, etc. (subject to approval)

Selectees who physically reside outside the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or Northern Mariana Islands, and the Possessions of the U.S., during any step of the recruitment process (application, selection, and acceptance of a formal job offer) will have foreign area benefits eligibility be determined on a case by case basis.

Tax Law Impact for PCS: On 22-Dec-2017, Public Law 115-97 – the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017” suspended qualified moving expense deductions along with the exclusion for employer reimbursements and payments of moving expenses effective 01-Jan-2018 for tax years 2018 through 2025. 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 GSA Bulletin FTR 20-04 here for additional information.

• Benefits

  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 benefits

  Eligibility 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and quality ranking for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating or consideration for employment.

Your responses to the questionnaire may be compared to the documents you submit. The documents you submit must support your responses to the online questionnaire. If your application contradicts or does not support your questionnaire responses, you will receive a rating of “not qualified” or “insufficient information” and you will not receive further consideration for this job.

Applicants who disqualify themselves will not be evaluated further.

• Benefits

  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 benefits

  Eligibility 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.

• Required Documents

  As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have – whether you’re a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you’re eligible under their policies.

  The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

  1. Online Application: Questionnaire
  2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
  3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
  4. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain “1” or “2” AND block 34 must be a “1”. Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a “1” or “2”.
  5. OCONUS – Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain “1” or “2” and block 34 must be a”1″. Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a “1” or “2”. NOTE: For OCONUS employees who claim eligibility MSP or Family Member Preference, your SF-50 may contain a “3” in block 24 and a “2” in block 34.

  OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

  Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees – Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.

  Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees – List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.

  Note: Applicant must not submit award SF50s-Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

• How to Apply

  The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/10/2023

  To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12033258

  To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is “most recent.”

  • It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
  • If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
  • For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.

  2. A complete Application Questionnaire

  3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

  4.Return Rights:Per AFI 36-1101 – DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location.

  PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

  Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

  Agency contact information

  Total Force Service Center

  Phone

  1-800-525-0102

  Email

  DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY

  Address

  IC – Air Force DCIPS 550 C Street W JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150 US

  Next steps

  Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

  If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

  To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

  If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.

• Fair and Transparent

  The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

  • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
  • Reasonable accommodation policy
  • Financial suitability
  • Selective Service
  • New employee probationary period
  • Signature and false statements
  • Privacy Act
  • Social security number request

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be provided with your application. Applicants who do not submit required documentation to determine eligibility and qualifications will be eliminated from consideration. Other documents may be required based on the eligibility/eligibilities you are claiming. Click here to view the AF Civilian Employment Eligibility Guide and the required documents you must submit to substantiate the eligibilities you are claiming.

1. Online Application: Questionnaire
2. Resume: For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position. If you are a current Federal employee or previous Federal employee, provide your pay plan, series and grade, i.e. GS-0301-09. Current Federal Civilian Employees should list any relevant performance related rating (given within the last three years) and/or incentive awards in your resume. Do NOT include photographs (or links to social media such as LinkedIn), inappropriate material, inappropriate content, nor personal information such as age, gender, religion, social security number, etc., on your resume.
3. Transcripts/Registration/License: If qualifying on education/position requires education, you must submit copies of your transcripts and if required for the position, submit an active, current registration/license.
4. Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy/copies of your last or most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain “1” or “2” AND block 34 must be a “1”. Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a “1” or “2”.
5. OCONUS – Current or Former Federal Civilian Employees (includes current Air Force employees): You must submit a legible copy of a SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action. The SF-50, block 24 must contain “1” or “2” and block 34 must be a”1″. Employees eligible under an OPM approved interchange agreement, block 34 may contain a “1” or “2”. NOTE: For OCONUS employees who claim eligibility MSP or Family Member Preference, your SF-50 may contain a “3” in block 24 and a “2” in block 34.

OPTIONAL DOCUMENTS:

Performance Appraisals for Current Federal Civilian Employees – Most recent performance appraisals (dated within last 3 years) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.

Awards for Current Federal Civilian employees – List any awards received within the last 3 years on the resume.

Note: Applicant must not submit award SF50s-Notification of Personnel Actions (SF50s).

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 07/10/2023

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12033258

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Your Resume (your latest resume will be used to determine your qualifications). If you submit more than one copy of your resume, only the most recent (latest) version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is “most recent.”

• It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application.
• If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, you will not be considered for this vacancy.
• For qualification determinations your resume must contain hours worked per week (if part-time) and dates of employment (i.e., hours per week and month/year to month/year or month/year to present). If your resume does not contain this information, your application may be marked as insufficient and you will not receive consideration for this position.

2. A complete Application Questionnaire

3. Additional Required Documents (see Required Documents section). Ensure all submitted documents contain your full name.

4.Return Rights:Per AFI 36-1101 – DCIPS employees have no statutory right of return to the previous position, unit, or geographic location.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant’s responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Agency contact information

Total Force Service Center

Phone

1-800-525-0102

Email

DO.NOT.EMAIL@CALL.ONLY

Address

IC – Air Force DCIPS 550 C Street W JBSA Randolph AFB, TX 78150 US

Next steps

Once your application package is received an acknowledgement email will be sent.

If you provided an email address, you will receive an email message acknowledging receipt of your application.Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility and qualifications for consideration. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration.

To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select My Applications, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position.

If you do not provide an email address, you are responsible for checking status updates and notifications in USAJOBS. Hard copy notifications will not be sent to you.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

• Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
• Reasonable accommodation policy
• Financial suitability
• Selective Service
• New employee probationary period
• Signature and false statements
• Privacy Act
• Social security number request