Legal Assistant (OA)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security; New York (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking a Legal Assistant (OA) to provide vital support in legal proceedings. This full-time role involves document preparation, legal research, and maintaining court schedules within a dynamic environment. Ideal candidates will possess experience related to legal assistant duties with proficiency in relevant software.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Federal Employee Benefits

Paid Time Off

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at the GS-06 level or equivalent.
• Experience in preparing documents and maintaining legal calendars.
• Capability to draft correspondence and assist attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Perform online legal research and manage case documentation.
• Prepare attorneys for court with organized files and drafts.
• Assist in tracking court dockets and deadlines.

Skills

Typing Proficiency

Microsoft Office

Legal Research

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Four years of post-high school education

Job description

Organizational Location: This position is located in the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, in multiple locations.

Duties

As a Legal Assistant (OA), at the GS-7 full performance level, you will perform the following duties:

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation.
• You must successfully pass a drug screen.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must certify registration with Selective Service.
• Requirements by Closing Date: You must meet all requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
• Probationary Period: This is a full-time permanent position (Career/Career-Conditional appointment). Upon appointment, you may be required to serve a one-year probationary period.

Qualifications

Please limit your resume to 5 pages. If more than 5 pages are submitted, only the first 5 pages will be reviewed to determine your eligibility/qualifications.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.

You qualify for the GS-05 grade level if you possess one of the following:

• Experience: One (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-04 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:
  • Using common computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office) to support basic office activities, such as inputting information into databases and templates.
  • Assisting senior personnel in reviewing documents, forms, and records for accuracy and completeness.
  • Assisting in researching and communicating information to stakeholders on items such as project statuses, schedule changes, and approaching deadlines.
• Substitution of Education for Experience: You may substitute successful completion of four years of education above high school in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education was obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college, or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.
• Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of successfully completed post-high school education and experience. This will be calculated using your resume and unofficial transcripts or a list of courses/course hours submitted with your application. Appropriate combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience also may be used to meet the total qualification requirements for the GS-05 grade level.

You qualify for the GS-06 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Using common computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office) to support office activities, such as using software applications to prepare complex documents containing tables and graphs.
• Maintaining, monitoring, and tracking docket calendars and other scheduling systems for court appearances and important deadlines.
• Preparing attorneys for courts by keeping records organized and current, filing forms, typing correspondence, and/or drafting letters.
• Performing online legal research and analyzing and compiling relevant information to assist attorneys for court preparation.

You qualify for the GS-07 grade level if you possess one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-06 grade level or equivalent performing duties such as:

• Researching, analyzing, and accurately compiling pertinent documentation for time-sensitive court proceedings.
• Updating appropriate databases to ensure case information is current and available.
• Performing a variety of support functions such as tracking, managing and/or maintaining court dockets, and/or preparing motions or appeals.
• Drafting non-legal memorandums and correspondence based on guidance from attorneys, paralegals, etc.

Typing Proficiency: In addition to meeting the experience requirements, applicants for this position must show possession of the ability to type at least 40 words per minute based on a 5-minute sample, with three or fewer errors. You may self-certify your proficiency in the Occupational Questionnaire.

Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification claims will be subject to verification.

National Service Experience (volunteer work): Experience includes paid and unpaid experience, such as volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations. Volunteer work helps build skills and provides valuable training that translates directly to paid employment. Credit is given for all qualifying experience, including volunteer work.

Current or Former Political Appointees: Employment offers to current or former political appointees require authorization from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If you are or have been a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee within the last 5 years, disclose this information to HR.

The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those with intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disabilities, and Disabled Veterans with a service-connected disability of 30% or more. For eligibility details, contact the HR Office or visit the links provided.