Legal Education Department

Kopiko Building, Room 201 phone808.734.9103 emaillegaled@hawaii.edu

Job Opportunities Notices

08.07.08 - Legal Assistant Position(US Attorney's Office-position 08HIDEU12)

MEMORANDUM
TO: Legal Education Majors

FROM: Cynthia N. Kimura, Counselor
DATE: August 7, 2008
SUBJECT: Legal Assistant Position (position 08HIDEU12)

 Please note, format is not  correct.  Go to USAJOBS for complete listing of job (http://www.usajobs.gov/)

Department: U.S. Attorney's Office Agency: U.S. Attorney's Office Job Announcement Number: 08-HI-DEU-12 Overview Legal Assistant (OA) Salary Range: $26,264 to $42,290 USD Per Year PLUS 25% COLA (COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCE) Open Period: 8/1/2008 to 8/22/2008 Series & Grade: GS-0986-05/07 Position Information: Full-Time Permanent Promotion Potential: 07 Duty Location: 1 vacancy - Island of Oahu, HI
Who May Be Considered: All U.S. Citizens and Nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Islands).

Job Summary: Partnerships for Safer Communities - The U.S. Attorney's Office provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims of crime. To view the entire announcement including instructions on how to apply, scroll down, and select 'Print Preview.'

Number of vacancies: One (1) position. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. Salary range contains multiple steps. In most cases, the salary will be set at the starting end of the range. GS-05: $26,264 - $31,139 GS-06: $29,276 - $38,060 GS-07: $32,534 - $42,290 Duties Major Duties:
[This position is equivalent to a Legal Secretarial position.] The Legal Assistant is responsible for supporting Assistant United States Attorneys by providing a variety of legal assistance and office support services. Examines, prepares, and processes a variety of technical legal documents which are characteristically voluminous and complex in format. Reviews incoming material and determines the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g. complaints, motions, orders, answers. pleading, and subpoenas. Provides assistance to attorneys in trial preparation by performing duties such as compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists. Assembles, exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents from file material. Assembles and organizes files and records material for disposition or transfer to records depository. Verifies citations and statutory references obtained in legal documents against original sources such as legal text, reports, Federal Reporter system, CFR, etc., making sure that they are correct and in compliance with source material. Develops tables of contents and indices to briefs in accordance with established standards. Composes original letters, not requiring legal interpretations, but which do require a good knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology. Maintains a calendar of assigned active cases. Tracks
filing, hearing, and trial dates, and schedules conferences and interviews. Arranges travel by preparing itinerary and securing transportation and hotel reservations. Produces a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications. Qualifications and Evaluation Qualifications: TRAVEL: Occasional travel may be required. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION/DRUG TESTING: Employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation adjudicated by the Department of Justice. The selected applicant will be subject to drug testing by urinalysis prior to appointment. SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements outlines in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions. This information is available for your review on OPM's web site at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp It is the responsibility of the applicant to sufficiently describe experience which makes it clear that the qualifications and requirements for this position are met. To qualify at the GS-5 level, candidates must have at least one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level or 4 years of education beyond high school; and to qualify at the GS-6 level, candidates must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level; and to qualify at the GS-7 level, candidates must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 level. Specialized Experience is defined as experience which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of this position. To qualify for consideration at the GS-5 level, specialized experience is defined as experience working in a legal environment typing routine legal documents and correspondence; maintaining case files, distributing incoming materials, and assembling exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents from file material.
To qualify for consideration at the GS-6 level, specialized experience is defined as substantial clerical, secretarial, or technical work in a law office organization engaged in legal or law enforcement activities involved with the legal/judicial system. This experience must demonstrate an ability to apply a body of laws, regulations, precedents, and procedures and knowledge of legal documents and legal/judicial processes. Examples of qualifying specialized experience including: reviewing legal and administrative document to determine proper dispositions and handling; preparing and processing a variety of legal documents; reviewing incoming material and determining action required (e.g. assembly of complaints, motions, orders, pleadings, subpoenas, etc.); verifying document facts and information against reference source; notifying supervisor of discrepancies; researching and obtaining legal reference files and other sources for information/data required by supervisors; preparing and composing letters/memorandums and routine/standardized legal documents (e.g. warrants, subpoenas, wills, etc.); producing with word processing software programs a variety of written documents, legal forms, correspondence
requiring knowledge of legal terminology; and performing administrative duties such as utilizing automated case management systems, preparing travel itineraries, authorizations and vouchers, and handling telephone calls and visitors. At this level, work experience should have demonstrated the ability to independently prioritize work assignments and resolve problems. Work experience should also demonstrate the ability to draft grammatically correct legal office documents and/or correspondence for signature and approval. To qualify for consideration at the GS-7 level, specialized experience is defined as serving as a senior/lead legal technician or the sole clerical/secretarial in a private law practice or government office involved with the legal/judicial system. Typical duties include: preparing and processing a full range of legal documents; reviewing incoming legal material and determining action required (e.g. assembly or preparation of complaints, motions, orders, pleadings, subpoenas, etc.); examining document facts and information against reference sources; identifying apparent discrepancies and resolving with supervisor; searching and obtaining legal reference files and other sources for information/date required by supervisor; preparing routine documents and assisting in preparing complex legal documents (e.g. indictment, criminal complaints, search warrants, judgments, etc.); assembling exhibits, affidavits, and other legal documents from file material; performing administrative duties such as utilizing automated case management system, preparing travel itinerary, authorizations and vouchers, and handling telephone calls and visitors. At this level, work experience should have demonstrated the ability to independently complete complex assignments and use discretion in applying and adapting available guidelines to prepare and process documents. Work experience should also demonstrate the ability to independently draft grammatically correct legal office memorandums and/or correspondence for signature and approval. Applicants must indicate their typing speed/error rate on their resume/application. Failure to list typing speed/error rate might preclude an applicant's employment consideration. Applicants must be able to type 40 words per minute with 3 or fewer errors based on a 5 minute typing sample. As proof of your typing speed you can submit one of the following: a statement in your application package reflecting your typing speed of at least 40 words per minute; provide a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization issued within the last 3 years; or include a SF-50 proving you have held a Federal position with a title requiring a qualified typist, e.g., typing, office automation, etc. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement. How Will You Be Evaluated: Basically qualified applicants may be further evaluated to determine those who are best qualified. A Rating Schedule/Crediting Plan will be used to evaluate an applicant's job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) by reviewing the candidate's experience, education, and accomplishments against a set of predetermined job-related benchmarks. An examiner will review the application and responses to the KSAs and assign points. The Rating Schedule/Credit Plan contains examples of tasks that demonstrate degrees of superior, satisfactory, and barely acceptable experience. Applicants are encouraged to address their experience and/or education related to the KSAs described below. Fully address each factor on a separate sheet of paper. Submit a concise, narrative statement addressing how your background--i.e. experience, education, awards, performance ratings, letters of commendation--meets each of the knowledges, skills and abilities listed below. Failure to do so may result in a lower score in the evaluation process.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of legal terminology, documents, formats, processes and procedures. (Describe your experience/education in checking legal citations or drafting legal document; describe situations where you recognized the need for and prepared legal documents; describe the type of legal or other technical documents prepared.) 2. Ability to communicate orally. (Describe your experience/skill in answering inquiries and relaying factual information through contact with a variety of people and the organizational setting.) 3. Ability to communicate in writing. (Describe your experience/education in composing, editing and proofreading a variety of documents. Describe the type of audience for whom the written material was prepared.) 4. Skill in the use of computer-based word processing and office automation systems. (Describe experience/skill in using various computer software and the types of documents created.) 5. Knowledge of administrative procedures. (Describe your experience/skill in maintaining supervisor's calendar, making travel arrangements, answering telephones and receiving visitors, filing distributing mail, etc. and the organizational setting.) Benefits and Other Information Benefits: A benefits package is authorized for this position. Additional information about federal benefits may be obtained at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/ei61.asp. Other Information: PROBATIONARY PERIOD: Completion of a one-year probationary period may be required. RELOCATION EXPENSES: The payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. ICTAP AND/OR CTAP CANDIDATES- To receive selection priority, surplus and displaced employees must apply and be found well-qualified for the position. A well-qualified CTAP or ICTAP employee is one who satisfies all medical, physical, education, experience and selective factors (if any) for the vacant position; is rated equivalent to 85 or more against the Rating Schedule/Plan or meets the criteria of 'Highly Qualified Category' for this position as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement; and, can satisfactorily perform all of the duties of the position within a reasonable orientation period. CTAP and ICTAP candidates must submit documents which show their eligibility for selection priority. Documentation can include a copy of a RIF separation notice, Certificate of Expected Separation, or some other proof of eligibility for priority selection and a copy of an SF-50 showing their current position, grade level and promotion potential and duty location. VETERANS' PREFERENCE - Preference eligibles must submit a DD-214 which indicates character of service as proof of entitlement to veterans' preference. In addition to submitting the DD-214, preference eligibles claiming 10-point preference must submit a completed (must be signed and dated) Application for 10-point Veteran Preference (SF-15); an official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs or a branch of the Armed Forces, dated 1991 or later, certifying the veteran's present receipt of compensation for service-connected disability or disability retirement pay, or other appropriate documentation as listed on the back of the Form SF-15. See http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp for additional information.
SPECIAL HIRING AUTHORITIES - If you are eligible and would like to be considered under a special hiring authority such as Schedule A of the excepted service for persons with disabilities; a veteran who is eligible for appointment under the Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA) authority or the direct-hire authority to appoint veterans with service-connected disabilities of 30 percent or more; Peace Corps or VISTA service; or another excepted service/special hire authority, appropriate documentation to support your claim for eligibility must be submitted with your application package. See www.opm.gov/Strategic_Management_of_Human_Capital/fhfrc/default.asp for more details. EEO POLICY STATEMENT: Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of sexual orientation, sex, status as a parent, genetic information, color, race, religion, national origin, politicos, marital status, disability, age, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION POLICY STATEMENT : The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities and will reasonably accommodate the needs of those persons. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. PROMOTION POTENTIAL: When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level and administrative approval. How to Apply How to Apply: Send your application package to: U.S. Attorney's Office, 300 Ala Moana Blvd. Room 6-100, Honolulu, HI 96850, Attention: Amity Lowe or Carolyn Lee. Applications must be received by 5:00 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time on the closing date. Applications submitted at the government's expense will not be considered. This includes those mailed at government expense and those mailed at government expense and those transmitted a government fax machine. Applications will not be accepted via fax, email, or internet. Submit the following documents/information: *Indicate the grade level(s) for which you are applying, if the position is advertised at more than one grade. If not specified, applicants will be considered for only the highest grade qualified. **Applicants are required to sign and submit the DOJ-555, Disclosure Authorization Pertaining to Consumer Reports Pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The DOJ-555 is available from the Department of Justice website at: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/forms/doj555.pdf. (Please email Carolyn Lee at Carolyn.Lee@usdoj.gov or Amity Lowe at Amity.Lowe@usdoj.gov. if you are unable to print DOJ-555 located at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct/forms/doj555.pdf. The signed form authorizes the District to request a credit check. Failure to submit the DOJ-555 might preclude an applicant's employment consideration.
***Submit an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), a resume, or any other written format that describes your job-related qualifications. You should also include certain information (such as your Social Security Number and statement of U.S. citizenship) to receive consideration for this position. OF-612 is located at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/forms.asp. **** Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) narrative statement referenced in the 'How You Will be Evaluated' section. - If a resume is submitted, it must include all of the following applicable information: JOB INFORMATION: --Announcement number, title and grade of the job for which you are applying PERSONAL INFORMATION: --Full name, mailing address, email address, and day and evening phone numbers including area codes. --Social Security Number --Statement of U.S. citizenship - If required for this position in the qualifications section, a statement indicating your typing speed based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors. as proof of your typing speed, you may submit one of the following: a statement in your application package reflecting your typing speed of at least 40 words per minute; provide a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization issued within the last 3 years; or include a SF-50 proving you have held a federal position with a title requiring a qualified typists, e.g., typist, e.g. typing, office automation, etc. --If qualifying all or in part on the basis of education for this position, attach a copy of college transcripts. --If claiming Veterans' Preference, attach a copy of a DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) which indicates character of service and proof of preference eligibility. --If claiming 10-Point Veterans' Preference, attach a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference) plus supporting documentations if claiming 10-Point Veterans' Preference. See http://www.opm.gov/employ/veterans/html/vetguide.asp for more information. EDUCATION: - Names of high school attended, city, state. and zip code, date of diploma or GED - Name of college and university attended, city, state, zip code - Majors, type and years of any degrees received (if no degree, show total credits earned and indicate whether semester or quarter hours) - Copy of a college transcripts if qualifying all, or in part, on the basis of education
WORK EXPERIENCE: Give the following information for paid and unpaid work experience related to the job for which you are applying (do not send job descriptions): -Job title (include series and grade if a Federal job) -Duties and accomplishments -Employer's name and address and supervisor's name and phone number (indicate if we may contact your current supervisor) -Starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, and salary. -Supporting documentations for eligibility for non-competitive appointment or special hiring authorities, such as disability, Peace Corps service, etc. OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: --Job-related training courses (title & year) --Job-related skills (.e.g., other languages, computer software/hardware, tools, machinery, typing speed). --Job-related certificates and license (current only.) --Job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments, e.g., publications, membership in professional or honor societies, leadership activities, public speaking and performance awards (give dates but do not send documents unless requested). If this is your first time applying for a federal job, or if you wish to view more detailed information about various aspects of applying for federal jobs, access OPM's 'New to the Federal Government FAQs' at http://www.opm.gov/employ/students/fedhire.asp. Contact Information: Amity Lowe or Carolyn Lee Phone: (808) 541-2850 TDD: (808) 541-1850 Internet: amity.lowe@usdoj.gov or carolyn.lee@usdoj.gov Or Write: U.S. Attorney's Office 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 6-100 Honolulu HI 96850 US What to Expect Next: Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within four to six weeks of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
EEO Policy Statement The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor. Reasonable Accommodation Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Veterans Information Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions may be eligible for veterans’ preference. For service beginning after October 15, 1976, the veteran must have served the required length of time and have a Campaign Badge, Expeditionary Medal, a service-connected disability, or have served in the Gulf War between August 2, 1990, and January 2, 1992. The Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) gives veterans access to job vacancies that might otherwise be closed to them. The law allows eligible veterans to compete for vacancies advertised under agency’s promotion procedures when the agency is seeking applications from outside of its own workforce. To claim veterans’ preference, veterans should be ready to provide a copy of their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, or other proof. Veterans with service connected disability and others claiming 10 point preference will need to submit Form SF-15, Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference. For more specifics on all veterans employment issues such as Veterans preference or special appointing authorities see the VetGuide. Legal and Regulatory Guidance Social Security Number - Your Social Security Number is requested under the authority of Executive Order 9397 to uniquely identify your records from those of other applicants who may have the same name. As allowed by law or Presidential directive, your Social Security Number is used to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others who may know you. Failure to provide your Social Security Number on your application materials, will result in your application not being processed. Privacy Act - Privacy Act Notice (PL 93-579): The information requested here is used to determine qualifications for employment and is authorized under Title 5 U.S.C. 3302 and 3361. Signature - Before you are hired, you will be required to sign and certify the accuracy of the information in your application. False Statements - If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be subject to fine, imprisonment, or other disciplinary action.
Selective Service - If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.