Legal Assistant
Job description
Duties
The Legal Assistant position is in the Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge located in the Review Commission's regional office in Denver, CO. The incumbent reports directly to the First Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). The incumbent supports the administrative law judges and attorney advisor in the Denver regional office and is responsible for performing a variety of legal support tasks.
In this position, you will serve as Legal Assistant. Typical work assignments include:
- Drafts routine orders, types and finalizes decisions and other legal documents that comply with procedural, grammatical, and stylistic requirements;
- Serves as a liaison for the First Judge with the parties and the public;
- Maintains the official files for all Denver cases in conformity with the office's standard operating procedures;
- Assures that appropriate data, electronic submissions, decisions, and orders are entered into the Review Commission's electronic filing system;
- Prepares orders/notices for the First ALJ's signature on routine matters and serves such orders/notices on the parties either electronically or by mail;
- Arranges for court space and court reporting services for the First ALJ and composes, types and signs letters confirming court reporting arrangements, and cancels all arrangements for courtroom space and court reporting services as needed; and
- Cancels hearings and conferences, issues appropriate orders, and follows up to ensure timely submission of settlement documents once attorneys advise that a case has settled.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen.
- You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
- Selective Service Registration is required, as applicable (see https://www.sss.gov).
- A one-year probationary period may be required.
- Applicants must provide a resume and supporting documents (see required documents).
- Current or former federal employees applying under merit promotion consideration must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered.
- The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 require employers to hire only individuals who are eligible to work in the U.S. The appointee will be required to complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, and provide acceptable proof of employment authorization and identity.
- All Federal employees are required to have salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
- This is not a remote position. The incumbent is expected to report to the U.S. Custom House, 721 19th Street, Room 407, Denver, CO 80202. However, the incumbent may telework pursuant to the Review Commission's policy and procedures.
- This position is covered by the Hatch Act Reform Amendments of 1993 which prohibits requesting, transmitting, accepting, or considering political recommendations for employment or other personnel actions for nonpolitical positions.
- If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System. Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.
Qualifications
You qualify at the GS-8 level if you possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level that has equipped you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of this position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level in the federal government. Examples of this type of experience includes:
- Interpreting, applying, and explaining complex legal provisions, regulations, or procedural requirements to a wide range of individuals with varying abilities of comprehension; OR
- Knowledge of legal documents or legal and judicial processes; OR
- Experience with docket control; OR
- The use of an electronic case-tracking system.
Applicants must meet the minimum qualification requirements as contained in the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards. These qualification standards are available online at www.opm.gov. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. If your resume does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Merit promotion applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements to be considered eligible. One year at the GS-7 levelis required to qualify for the GS-8 level. (Must submit a copy of your standard form 50 (SF-50), Notification of Personnel Action, that shows time-in-grade eligibility and reflects your title, series, and grade).
For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
This position is open to the public, competitive (merit promotion), non-competitive, and those eligible under special hiring authorities. You must meet the requirements for one of the following categories to be eligible.
1. A current permanent competitive service employee; former Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service; or former Federal employee who served on a career conditional appointment without achieving career status in the competitive service who was separated less than three years ago. This includes applicants who have not previously held, or currently hold this position and grade with the same promotion potential as announced for this announcement. You must submit an SF-50 that shows competitive service eligibility to be considered.
2. A Veteran applying under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA), must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing an honorable discharge to be considered. To be eligible, a veteran must be honorably separated and either a preference eligible or have substantially completed 3 or more years of active service. NOTE: Current employees applying under VEOA must submit a qualifying SF-50 to show they meet time-in-grade requirements.
3. A 30% or more Disabled Veteran. You must submit your DD-214, a completed SF-15, and letter from the VA dated 1991 or later to be considered.
4. Military spouses are eligible if their active duty military spouse: 1) receives a Permanent Change of Station move; 2) has a 100% disability rating; or 3) died while on active duty. Please submit supporting documentation.
5. Schedule A: Documentation of eligibility under Schedule A can be obtained from a licensed medical professional; a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e. state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. Territory that issues or provides disability benefits. This letter must be separate from any Veterans Preference documentation.
6. A Former Peace Corps or VISTA Volunteers Appointment. Please submit documentation to be considered.
7. Veterans eligible for a Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA). You must submit a copy of your DD-214. NOTE: VRA only applies to positions at the GS-11 level and below.
8. Other non-competitive authorities (please see announcement language for applicable authorities)
Active-Duty Service Members- You must submit a statement of discharge/certification of release or an official written document from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days from the date the certification is signed. Enlisted Record Briefs and military identification do NOT qualify as official documentation.
If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
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.
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 resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted, and/or you may be excluded from consideration for this job. All applicants' qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and other characteristics)
Highly Qualified Category - applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are highly proficient in all requirements of the job and can perform effectively in the position;
Well Qualified Category - applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in some, but not all, of the requirements of the job;
Qualified - applicants possessing experience and/or education that meets the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors.
Names of all candidates in the highly qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration (unless a sufficient number of qualified veterans are found - in which only those names will be initially certified). Candidates within the best qualified category who are eligible for veterans' preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran eligible. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):
- Administration and Management
- Legal Application Practice
- Legal Assistance
- Manages and Organizes Information
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (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 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 have a final assessment score of 85 or better. You must provide proof of eligibility with your application. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides eligible surplus and displaced 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 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 have a final assessment score of 85 or better. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents:- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable
- Most recent Performance Appraisal
- SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service)
- Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
NOTE: For those applying under merit promotion procedures, you must provide a copy of your SF-50 that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. Your SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, type of service (competitive or excepted) and career status (career or career-conditional).
Veterans' Preference
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. For competitive service positions, active-duty service members expecting to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days: you may be granted tentative preference by submitting a "certification" document in lieu of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. This "certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of the submission of the certification.
Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. If you are claiming 10-point veteran's preference based on service-connected disability, in addition to the DD-214 or certification requirements, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof of entitlement of this preference from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html For more information on Veteran Authorities, consult the Vet Guide at:
Vet Guide for HR Professionals (opm.gov)How to Apply
A complete application package must be received by 11:59 PM EST on 03/01/2023 to receive consideration. To begin your online application:
- Click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the required documents. See Required Documents section for more detail.
- Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
- To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- To return to saved application at a later date, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The Review Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applications will be considered without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, and without retaliation against any person asserting a right under anti-discrimination laws. This also applies to decisions including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, opportunities for promotion, training and development, transfer, and other privileges of employment.Agency contact information
Talent Acquisition Services
Email
TalentAcquisitionServices@opm.gov
Address
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
1120 20th Street, NW, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-3457
USNext steps
Once you submit your application, we will assess your experience and training, identify the best-qualified applicants, and refer those applications to the hiring manager for further consideration and interviews. We will notify you by email after each of these steps has been completed. Your status will also be updated on USAJOBS throughout the process. We expect to make a job offer within 30-60 days after the deadline for applications. If you are selected, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.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
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your Resume
2. A complete Assessment Questionnaire
3. Other supporting documents:
- Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable
- Most recent Performance Appraisal
- SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service)
- Any other supporting documentation required for verification as described in the announcement.
NOTE: For those applying under merit promotion procedures, you must provide a copy of your SF-50 that indicates proof of status and time-in-grade eligibility. Your SF-50 must include your position, title, series, grade, step, tenure, type of service (competitive or excepted) and career status (career or career-conditional).
Veterans' Preference
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a DD-214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. For competitive service positions, active-duty service members expecting to be discharged or released from active-duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions within 120 days: you may be granted tentative preference by submitting a "certification" document in lieu of a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214. This "certification" is any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active-duty service under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of the submission of the certification.
Veteran's preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. If you are claiming 10-point veteran's preference based on service-connected disability, in addition to the DD-214 or certification requirements, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof of entitlement of this preference from the Department of Veterans Affairs certifying to the present existence of the service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of your disability. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html For more information on Veteran Authorities, consult the Vet Guide at:
Vet Guide for HR Professionals (opm.gov)
This job is open to
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Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)
Federal employees who meet the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced" employee.
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Federal employees - Competitive service
Current or former competitive service federal employees.
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Individuals with disabilities
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Military spouses
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The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
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Veterans
Clarification from the agency
U.S. Citizens and Status Candidates (this includes Merit Promotion, Status Candidates, Former Overseas Employees, CTAP, ICTAP, VRA, VEOA, 30% or More Disabled, EVHO, Schedule A, Military Spouses, Americorps, Peace Corps, Vista, Interchange Agreement Eligibles, Land Management, and National Guard).
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