Legal Assistant (Grand Jury Coordinator)

United States Attorneys' Offices; Great Falls (MT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorneys' Office for the District of Montana is seeking a Paralegal Legal Assistant to perform extensive searches of records, assist in factual research, and manage discovery documents using case management software. The role supports attorneys and handles Grand Jury calendar coordination.

Qualifications emphasize specialized legal experience, ability to type at least 40 words per minute with minimal errors, and strong organizational skills in preparing pleadings, motions, and

Qualifications

• Specialized experience includes handling voluminous and complex legal documents (pleadings, motions, briefs, affidavits, subpoenas).
• Typing at least 40 words per minute with 3 or fewer errors (typing test may be required).

Responsibilities

• Performs extensive searches of records, reference and historical material.
• Assists in factual research using computerized databases and other sources.
• Creates Grand Jury calendar.
• Follows electronic and internet-related legal processes.
• Coding and indexing discovery documents using legal case management software.

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

Legal research

Evidence management

Document coding

Tools

Legal case management software

Job description

Summary

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.

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 27-MT-13103377-MS.

Duties

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If Selected For This Position, You Will Serve As a Paralegal Legal Assistant For The United States Attorney's Office, District Of Montana. Typical Work Assignments Will Include

• Performs extensive searches of records, reference and/or historical material.
• Assists in conducting factual research on individuals and companies using computerized databases and other sources.
• Creates Grand Jury calendar.
• Follows unique electronic and internet-related evidence and legal processes.
• Coding and indexing discovery documents using legal case management software.
• Establishing and maintaining monthly calendar of grand jury activities including criminal hearings and related matters.
• Conducting non-complex research of legislation, statutes, regulations, and court cases related to a legal specialty.
• Composing original letters which require an extensive knowledge of legal procedures for transmittal of pleadings, notices to attorneys representing defendants, and other matters.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

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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.

Qualifications

GS-08: To be eligible at the GS-8 level, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level.

Specialized experience: Defined as experience performing the following types of duties: preparing and processing a variety of technical legal correspondence and documents which are characteristically voluminous and complex in format (e.g. pleadings, stipulations, motions, briefs, affidavits, complaints, orders, answers, subpoenas, and other legal documents); obtaining information from files, law enforcement agencies, or other sources; conducting factual and legal research in legal and non-legal databases and providing requested information to attorneys; aiding in the preparation and organization of evidence for production as discovery and for use in trial; managing paper and electronic discovery and evidence; independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists; and coding and indexing discovery documents using legal case management software.

To be qualified, you must type at least 40 words per minute based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors. (A typing test may later be required.)

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

Additional information

Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized.

A recruitment or 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.

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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.

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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.