Legal Assistant
Location: Arlington, VA
Announcement Number: OS-6082-24-CM- 198(DEU)
Salary: $55,924 - $80,510
Closing Date: November 8, 2024
The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.
Duties
OS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during and emergency or natural disaster.
This position is located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, DAS - Administrative Services, Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA), Interior Board of Indian Appeals (IBIA) and Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA), in Arlington, VA.
Work schedule will be split between the Interior Board of Indian Appeals and the Interior Board of Land Appeals based on their needs.
At the full performance level (GS-8) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
- Maintains a log of incoming appeals and enters appeal information and data in an electronic docket management system. Assigns cases to Administrative Judges or an attorney in accordance with the Boards' procedures.
- Reviews and evaluates new appeals to determine whether the appeal is timely and includes all necessary certifications and documents. Obtains additional documents and information as needed from other offices, electronic records systems, or online legal databases.
- Reviews, evaluates, and distributes incoming notices, motions, petitions, and correspondence and enters them into office record keeping systems, including a docket management and e-filing system. Updates the case status as necessary and enters reminders and tasks into the system. Runs the full range of reports authorized by the system.
- Reviews case records for completeness to ensure that statutory and regulatory requirements pertaining to the appeal have been satisfied, the record is complete, and the appeal is ready for decision.
- Responds to inquiries from the public and parties regarding the status of appeals and a Board's procedures and appeal regulations. Maintains accurate records of all appeals resolved by the Boards, including compilations of decisions.
- Performs administrative functions of the office, including the following: using Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat to generate the orders, decisions, and other materials related to the activities of a Board; electronically or manually date-stamping filed documents; answering phones; ensuring the office has adequate supplies and that the equipment (such as copiers, shredders, etc.) are maintained in good working order; drafting correspondence, reports, and memoranda; reviewing and distributing mail to appropriate parties; maintaining files. Serves as timekeeper or alternate for the Boards by reviewing and validating time entries.
- Proofreads and cite-checks the Boards' orders and decisions for legal and factual accuracy to ensure that references to the record and legal citations are accurate and support the findings; also proofreads for proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and format.
OS has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for telework only during and emergency or natural disaster.
