This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary. The Legal Assistant contributes to the agency's mission through direct and personal service to the public. The incumbent provides administrative support to the office which includes providing training, advice, and guidance to Review Commission staff in the processing of contested cases received OSHA regional/area offices; cases decided by administrative law judges; and cases under review.
Summary
This position is located in the Office of the Executive Secretary. The Legal Assistant contributes to the agency's mission through direct and personal service to the public. The incumbent provides administrative support to the office which includes providing training, advice, and guidance to Review Commission staff in the processing of contested cases received OSHA regional/area offices; cases decided by administrative law judges; and cases under review.
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).
In this position, you will serve as Legal Assistant. Typical work assignments include:
Assists in the review and analysis of legal cases and documents.
Serves as the focal point for Review Commission staff responding to questions concerning documents that have been filed in the review of cases.
Coordinates staff activity to ensure that all new cases are properly docketed. Ensures that data is entered into the agency's case management/electronic filing system.
Assists the Executive Secretary in drafting special comments when a motion is circulated and in drafting an order to cover any special circumstances.
Refers cases to Office of the Chief Administrative Law Judge for assignment when required documents have been filed or sufficient time has passed after request for additional documents and those documents have not been filed.
Maintains a chronological log of cases placed on and removed from the Commissioners' docket.
Provides both oral and written information to the parties and the public on case status and on Commission adjudicatory procedures.
Assists the Executive Secretary with their duties as Records Officer by performing such tasks as preparing case files for archiving at the National Archives and Records Administration's Federal Records Centers.
Prepares certified records for cases filed with the U.S. Courts of Appeals and prepares certified copies of Commission case records.
Provides a variety of additional administrative support services for the office.
A preliminary security background investigation and/or fingerprint check is required.
Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service System (see www.sss.gov).
Applications will not be accepted in postage paid government envelopes.
A one-year probationary period may be required.
Status candidates must meet the required time-in-grade requirements.
The work requires occasional lifting and carrying of items weighing up to 50 pounds.
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 1120 20th Street, NW, Ninth Floor - Washington, DC 20036. However, the incumbent may telework pursuant to Review Commission policies and directives.
Qualifications
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. In addition, applicants must meet all other qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education requirements, as defined below.
To qualify at the GS-7 level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 grade level in the federal government. This includes applying knowledge of legal regulations, techniques, and procedures to perform a variety of legal assistance work. Must have experience in at least four of these areas: 1) Working in a team environment and also independently; 2) Reviewing and processing a variety of legal documents, records and evidence in accordance with applicable rules and regulations; 3) Communicating both orally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals in order to provide advice/guidance about legal claims, process, or other related programs; 4) Interpreting complex laws, rules or regulations and written guidelines and explaining both orally and in writing the provisions to others; 5) Using computer software and programs to prepare documents (e.g., correspondence, reports, memos), and to enter, maintain, track and extract data on legal cases; and 6) Using an automated legal case tracking system for case file data input, queries, and reports.
To qualify at the GS-8 level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level in the Federal government. Experience includes applying a comprehensive knowledge of legal regulations, techniques, and procedures with little supervision to perform a variety of legal assistance tasks. Must have experience in at least five of these areas: 1) Working in a team environment and also independently; 2) Reviewing and processing a variety of legal documents, records and evidence in accordance with applicable rules and regulations; 3) Communicating both orally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals in order to provide advice/guidance about legal claims, process, or other related programs; 4) Interpreting complex laws, rules or regulations and written guidelines and explaining both orally and in writing the provisions to others; 5) Using computer software and programs to prepare documents (e.g., correspondence, reports, memos), and to enter, maintain, track and extract data on legal cases; and 6) Auditing case files for completeness; and 7) Using an automated legal case tracking system for case file data input, queries, and reports.
This position has no known promotion potential beyond GS-9. This position may be filled at the GS-7 or GS-8 grade levels. Promotion to the GS-9 grade level may occur without further competition subject to supervisory discretion and budgetary constraints.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
TheInteragency 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 rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. 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. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: Policy, Data, Oversight - Workforce Restructuring (ICTAP).
TheCareer 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 rate equivalent to the Highly Qualified or better category using established category rating criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at: Policy, Data, Oversight - Workforce Restructuring (CTAP).
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.
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 application will be evaluated in accordance with OPM's delegated examining procedures using category rating. 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. Your application will then be placed in one of three categories:
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.
The names of all applicants in the best 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). Applicants within the best qualified category who are eligible for veteran preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
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.
To receive consideration, you must submit the following documents:
Resume: Your resume must accurately reflect the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending date of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week).
Vacancy Announcement: Your application package must identify the vacancy announcement number, position title, and grade of the position for which you are applying.
Personal Information: Your application package must include your full name, your mailing address with zip code, email address, telephone numbers, country of citizenship, and highest Federal civilian grade you held (if any). If you are or have been a federal employee, please provide a copy of your most recent standard form 50, Notification of Personnel Action.
Education: You must list all colleges/universities/law schools you have attended, the city and state of such institutions, and specify the type and year you obtained your degrees.
Cover Letter: If you provide a cover letter, we suggest that you describe how your experience, education, knowledge and/or awards relate to this position.
Other Qualifications: Job-related training courses (title and year), job-related skills, job-related certificates and licenses, job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments.
Performance appraisal: If you are or were a federal employee, please provide a copy of your latest performance appraisal. If unavailable, please provide an explanation as to why it is unavailable.
All application materials must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit these documents will result in your application being removed from consideration. Please do not submit additional, unsolicited materials, or original documents that you may need in the future. Applications will become part of the recruitment case file and will not be returned.
To begin the process, click the "Apply Online" button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the "Submit My Answers" button at the end of the process. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the (March 20, 2023).
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the (March 20, 2023). * To begin, 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.
* 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 an incomplete application, 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.
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.
VETERANS PREFERENCE:
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214), 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 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 (see above bullet), you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, 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 Careers at OPM - Veterans.
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
1120 20th Street, NW, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-3457
US
Next steps
Once your application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possibility an interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days from the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To receive consideration, you must submit the following documents:
Resume: Your resume must accurately reflect the duties and responsibilities under each position you have held with each employer. In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. It is your responsibility to make sure your resume states complete information for each job entry (beginning and ending date of employment stated as MM/YYYY; and total hours worked per week).
Vacancy Announcement: Your application package must identify the vacancy announcement number, position title, and grade of the position for which you are applying.
Personal Information: Your application package must include your full name, your mailing address with zip code, email address, telephone numbers, country of citizenship, and highest Federal civilian grade you held (if any). If you are or have been a federal employee, please provide a copy of your most recent standard form 50, Notification of Personnel Action.
Education: You must list all colleges/universities/law schools you have attended, the city and state of such institutions, and specify the type and year you obtained your degrees.
Cover Letter: If you provide a cover letter, we suggest that you describe how your experience, education, knowledge and/or awards relate to this position.
Other Qualifications: Job-related training courses (title and year), job-related skills, job-related certificates and licenses, job-related honors, awards, and special accomplishments.
Performance appraisal: If you are or were a federal employee, please provide a copy of your latest performance appraisal. If unavailable, please provide an explanation as to why it is unavailable.
All application materials must be received by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit these documents will result in your application being removed from consideration. Please do not submit additional, unsolicited materials, or original documents that you may need in the future. Applications will become part of the recruitment case file and will not be returned.
To begin the process, click the "Apply Online" button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the "Submit My Answers" button at the end of the process. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the (March 20, 2023).
You must submit a complete application package by 11:59 PM (EST) on the (March 20, 2023). * To begin, 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.
* 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 an incomplete application, 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.
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.
VETERANS PREFERENCE:
If you are a veteran and you are claiming veteran's preference, you must submit a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD-214), 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 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 (see above bullet), you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference, plus the proof of entitlement of this preference which is normally an official statement, dated 1991 or later, 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 Careers at OPM - Veterans.
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
1120 20th Street, NW, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20036-3457
US
Next steps
Once your application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possibility an interview. We expect to make a selection within 45 days from the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
