Legal Administrative Specialist

These positions are located in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), in various locations. The salary range indicated in this announcement will be adjusted to include locality payment for the selected duty location.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert legal support in the drafting, review, and processing of legal documents, including motions and briefs.
• Manage case files and docket management.
• Gather and analyze data in support of a variety of legal cases and operational needs.
• Perform an extensive variety of legal administrative support for OPLA attorneys involved in litigation and other law-related activities.
• Manage workload that is time-sensitive and critical to the support of the work performed by the attorneys.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position.
• You must successfully pass a background investigation, which may include a credit check, review of financial issues, certain criminal offenses, and illegal use or possession of drugs.
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Selective Service).
• One-year probationary period may be required.
• A pre-employment drug test will be required.
• If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application.
• DHS uses e-Verify to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.
• This is not a bargaining unit position.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualification requirements as noted below.

GS-07 Minimum Qualifications

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service that included performing at least 2 of the following:

• Performing a variety of legal administrative support activities for attorneys involved in litigation or other law-related activities.
• Assisting with tracking court dockets, cases, hearings, depositions, and/or other legal administrative matters.
• Assisting with the preparation and maintenance of case files.

OR Education: One full year of graduate-level education in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement, based on:

• Class Standing - Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class.
• Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher ("B+" or better) based on required courses in the major field.
• Honor Society Membership - Applicants may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position.

GS-09 Minimum Qualifications

Specialized Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service that included performing at least 3 of the following:

• Providing legal support in drafting, reviewing, and processing of legal documents.
• Gathering, organizing, or analyzing data to support the litigation of a variety of cases or the provision of legal advice.
• Performing a variety of legal administrative support activities for attorneys involved in litigation or other law-related activities.

OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.B. or J.D. in a relevant field.

OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position.

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

Note: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Education

If you are claiming education as any part of your qualifications for this position, you must submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and semester hours earned.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization specializing in interpretation of foreign education programs. For further information, visit Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

Benefits

DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including:

• Health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement plan and Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401(k)).
• Flexible Spending Account.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Personal leave days and paid federal holidays.
• Flexible work schedules and telework options.
• Tuition reimbursement and transportation subsidies.
• Uniform allowance.
• Health and wellness programs, and fitness centers.
• Disabled veteran leave for veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
• Student loan repayment incentive (service agreement required).

For more information, visit the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits."

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be assessed based on your application materials, responses to the application questionnaire, and responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following competencies:

• Attention to Detail
• Customer Service
• Decision Making
• Flexibility
• Integrity/Honesty
• Interpersonal Skills
• Learning
• Reading Comprehension
• Reasoning
• Self-Management
• Stress Tolerance
• Teamwork