What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Administrative Specialist (Case Manager) position at United States Attorneys' Offices?
Summary
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing Procedures under 26-LAW-13055475-MS.
Duties
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Responsibilities
If selected for this position, you will serve as a Case Manager providing a wide range of legal and administrative services to one or more Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in complex civil matters. The primary responsibilities include preparing and managing discovery, performing case development activities, assisting case teams with preparation for hearings and trials, conducting legal research and writing, and performing general administrative support duties. Typical work assignments will include:
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
GS-07: To be eligible at the GS-07 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience, or Superior Academic Achievement.
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as performing the following: (1) working in a legal environment preparing and managing discovery; (2) performing case development activities; (3) assisting case teams with trial preparation for hearings and trials; (4) conducting legal research and writing; (5) and performing general administrative support duties.
Education: One full year of graduate level education that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the work of the position.
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
Superior Academic Achievement: Possess a Bachelor's Degree or expect to complete the requirements for a Bachelor's degree within the next 9 months AND possess at least one of the following criteria: class standing in the upper third of the graduating class; an overall GPA of 3.0 OR at least a 3.0 based on courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; a GPA of at least 3.5 based on the average of required courses completed in my major field OR based on the average of required courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as performing the following: (1) performing a variety of automated support necessary in preparing, organizing, indexing, developing, managing, and tracking exhibits, evidence and data relevant to cases presentation (2) assisting attorneys with trial preparation, including making recommendations on how to proceed with trial presentations; (3) utilizing office automation tools in order to create physical and digital trial presentations, working with investigators, agents, and legal support staff; handling a wide variety of evidence and discovery; (4) providing technical assistance to litigation teams, and utilizing various software applications to provide automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations; (5) and performing general administrative support duties.
Education: One of the following types of education in a closely related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law, Information Technology) Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 1 full year.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized in accordance with applicable regulations.
A relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.
The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
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. See www.sss.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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 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.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
This position is also being announced to applicants eligible to apply through Merit Staffing Procedures under 26-LAW-13055475-MS.
Duties
Help
Responsibilities
If selected for this position, you will serve as a Case Manager providing a wide range of legal and administrative services to one or more Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in complex civil matters. The primary responsibilities include preparing and managing discovery, performing case development activities, assisting case teams with preparation for hearings and trials, conducting legal research and writing, and performing general administrative support duties. Typical work assignments will include:
- Manages discovery in a variety of formats, including paper documents, PDF files, image files, audio files, video files, forensic reports, proprietary files, and other electronic file types.
- Organizes and prepares written summaries of witness statements and testimony, audio or video recordings, and documentary evidence.
- Composes and proofs correspondence that does not require legal interpretations but does require a working knowledge of legal procedures and specialized terminology.
- Consults with case team members and Litigation Support personnel to understand requirements for discovery or evidence review.
- Independently prepares discovery productions or facilitates preparation by other appropriate staff or vendors to ensure timely preparation to meet production deadlines.
- Provides general administrative support for assigned cases and supports AUSAs with litigation and case management and during court proceedings or other live case presentations, including by using trial presentation software and courtroom equipment to display exhibits or demonstratives, maintaining accounting system of exhibits entered into evidence, and managing witnesses.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or National
- Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
- You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable
- If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
- You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
GS-07: To be eligible at the GS-07 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience, or Superior Academic Achievement.
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Specialized experience is defined as performing the following: (1) working in a legal environment preparing and managing discovery; (2) performing case development activities; (3) assisting case teams with trial preparation for hearings and trials; (4) conducting legal research and writing; (5) and performing general administrative support duties.
Education: One full year of graduate level education that provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to do the work of the position.
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements.
Superior Academic Achievement: Possess a Bachelor's Degree or expect to complete the requirements for a Bachelor's degree within the next 9 months AND possess at least one of the following criteria: class standing in the upper third of the graduating class; an overall GPA of 3.0 OR at least a 3.0 based on courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; a GPA of at least 3.5 based on the average of required courses completed in my major field OR based on the average of required courses completed during the final two years of my curriculum; OR election to membership in a national scholastic honor society.
GS-09: To be eligible at the GS-09 level, you must meet at least ONE of the following conditions, as defined below: Specialized Experience, Education, OR a combination of Education and Experience.
Specialized Experience: One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Specialized experience is defined as performing the following: (1) performing a variety of automated support necessary in preparing, organizing, indexing, developing, managing, and tracking exhibits, evidence and data relevant to cases presentation (2) assisting attorneys with trial preparation, including making recommendations on how to proceed with trial presentations; (3) utilizing office automation tools in order to create physical and digital trial presentations, working with investigators, agents, and legal support staff; handling a wide variety of evidence and discovery; (4) providing technical assistance to litigation teams, and utilizing various software applications to provide automated litigation assistance to attorneys in trial preparation and courtroom presentations; (5) and performing general administrative support duties.
Education: One of the following types of education in a closely related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Law, Information Technology) Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree.
Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. In order to qualify based on a combination, graduate education must be in excess of 1 full year.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Additional information
Payment of relocation expenses may be authorized in accordance with applicable regulations.
A relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.
The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.
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. See www.sss.gov.
Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
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 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.