Legal Assistant

The position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, Professional Staff Group (PSG) VII, Litigation Docket Room. The primary purpose of PSG VII is to represent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs litigation filed in U.S. Court of Appeals.

Major duties: Reviews databases, evaluates information regarding appeals, and prints data from docket sheets in database for use by attorneys. Reviews documents and determines whether case should be referred to a paralegal or attorney for preparation of jurisdictional motion. Coordinates the agency's response, to include making necessary oral and written contacts with agency staff, prepares and mails correspondence, sets and tracks deadlines, and enters all relevant case information in litigation database. Reviews documents, determines deadlines for assembling evidence from agency files, and prepares correspondence, to include directions for assembling evidence, coordinates remands. Closes cases and coordinates remands, attorney fee payments, and appeals upon completion of court action. Distinguishes between different types of documents, interpret poorly written or confusing correspondence from appellants, and recognize matters requiring special handling or expedited responses. Researches case information in complex database to determine status of appeals, motions for reconsideration and other matters of appellate procedure. Understands federal statutes and court rulings regarding disclosure of confidential information, and uses discretion in determining matters requiring special handling. Assembles files and, based on knowledge of office procedures, obtains documents from multiple sources. Reviews legal documents according to court rules of practice and procedure and determines deadlines for attorney action. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Position is eligible for Ad Hoc telework (situational telework) as determined by agency policy. Return to Office (RTO): RTO mandates are in affect and selectees will be required to report to in person work unless they have an approved exemption already in place. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: PD81183A, PD81182A, and PD81181A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a one year probationary period or two year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your one year probationary period or two year trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.