About the Position: This is a Legal Assistant, GS-0986-05 Target GS-08 position with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Southwestern Division (SWD), Fort Worth District, Office of Counsel. This position is full-time and permanent and will be located in Fort Worth, TX. The position may be filled at the entry level, GS-05, or at the full performance grade of GS-08.

Duties

Incumbent works under the general supervision of the Deputy District Counsel, who outlines assignments and continuing responsibilities. Aids and assists the District's Claims Officer in processing non-contractual (tort) claims. Receives, records, reviews, researches, and acknowledges Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act requests for the District. Performs legal research and policy and regulatory research. Works closely with attorneys to prepare legal documents, including Memorandum to Headquarters. Prepares travel and training requests and maintains records. Assists attorneys in processing contract claims and appeals. Assists attorneys with litigation support. Prepares litigation hold documents and makes arrangements, for location of hearings and trials and schedules court reporters. Utilizing an automated Law Management Information system, maintains a log of all matters (except intellectual property) handled by the office, ensuring that all data is accurate and up-to-date. Serves as the initial point of contact for the Office of Counsel by receiving visitors and answering telephone calls, screening them to determine which can be handled personally and referring others, as appropriate. Develops and maintains capability in word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, financial management systems, office management network information systems, and automated legal research.

Requirements

• Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.

Qualifications

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.Current Department of Army Civilian EmployeesCurrent Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel WorkforceInteragency Career Transition Assistance PlanLand Management Workforce Flexibility ActMilitary Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473Non-Department of Defense (DoD) TransferPriority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) EligiblePriority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability RetirementPriority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference EligibleReinstatementVeterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998 In order to qualify, you must meet the education or experience requirements described below. 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document. To qualify for the GS-05: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) utilizing automated office software to prepare documents or correspondence for a legal office; OR 2) conducting file maintenance to maintain/dispose legal records. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-04). OR Education: Four years of education above the high school level obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide your semester hours of education beyond two years (total semester hours minus 60) by 60. Add the two percentages. To qualify for the GS-08: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes: 1) utilizing automated systems and/or databases to retrieve, update and/or store legal information; AND 2) performing legal research and assembling the information for use by attorneys. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07). OR Education: One and a half years of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond one year (total semester hours minus 18) by 9. Add the two percentages. You will be evaluated on the basis of your level of competency in the following areas: ClericalCustomer ServiceOral Communication Time in Grade Requirement for the GS-05: Applicants may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-05 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest nontemporary competitive appointment. Time in Grade Requirement for the GS-08: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-07).

Education

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address RK-W2SU02 US ARMY ENGINEER DISTRICT FORT WORTH DO NOT MAIL Fort Worth, TX 76102 US
• Name: Army Applicant Help Desk