USA Staffing

Position Title: Legal Assistant (Recent Graduate)
Agency: Offices, Boards and Divisions
Announcement Number: ENRD-24-053-EXC Opens in new window
Open Period: Wednesday, August 14, 2024 to Wednesday, August 28, 2024

For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.

1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference?

A. No, I do not claim Veterans' Preference

B. 0-point Sole Survivorship Preference (SSP)

C. 5-point preference based on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (TP)

D. 10-point preference for non-compensable disability or Purple Heart (XP)

E. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of at least 10% but less than 30% (CP)

F. 10 point preference based on widow/widower or parent of a deceased veteran, or spouse or parent of a disabled veteran (XP)

G. 10-point preference based on a compensable service connected disability of 30% or more (CPS)

Are you an employee that was involuntarily separated from another agency due to a reduction-in-force (RIF)?
The Inter-agency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) is an inter-agency program that helps "surplus" or "displaced" federal employees improve their chances of finding a new job at another agency (not their current or former agency), by giving these employees selection priority over other applicants from outside the agency.

You may be eligible for ICTAP if:

You're a current federal employee who meets the definition of a "surplus" or "displaced employee—you've received official notice that your job is no longer needed or that you will lose your job by Reduction-in-Force (RIF).
The agency you're applying to is accepting applications from outside of their workforce.
The job you're applying to is in the local commuting area.
You meet the qualifications and other requirements of the job you're applying for.

For example, if you work for the Department of Defense and receive a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, you can apply for a competitive service job in the local commuting area at the Department of Justice.

To verify your eligibility: You must submit appropriate supporting documentation such as a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice to include your latest performance rating (if the notice does not have this information included, you must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal) and a copy of your latest Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50.

A. Yes

B. No

3. Recent Graduates Program
The recent graduate program is for those who have graduated, within the past two years, from a qualifying educational institution or certificate program. The recent graduate program offers career development with training and mentorship. You must apply within two years of getting your degree or certificate (veterans have up to six years to apply due to their military service obligation).

For more information, review: USAJOBS Student and Recent Graduate resources or Learn more about the recent graduate program...

To verify your eligibility: You must submit a copy of your transcripts. If you are a veteran, please submit a copy of your latest Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD-214 (copy indicating character of service) or other proof of service which includes character of service.

A. Yes

B. No

4. Reasonable Accommodations for taking the online assessments are provided on a case-by-case basis only to qualified individuals with a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Do you have a disability (physical or mental) that you believe will interfere with completing the online assessments and require a Reasonable Accommodation?

A. Yes

B. No

1. Select the response below that best describes your eligibility for the Recent Graduate program:

A. I have completed a degree program from an accredited college, university or certificate program within the previous two years.

B. I am a Veteran who was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during the two-year eligibility period due to a military service obligation, and not more than 6 years have transpired since I completed the requirements for a diploma, degree, or certificate program.

C. I expect to completed a degree program from an accredited college, university, or certificate program by the end of the current semester. I will submit proof of impending completion of education.

D. None of the above

2. Please select the letter below that corresponds to the highest educational degree or certificate you have completed by the closing date of this announcement.

A. Associate's Degree

B. Bachelor's Degree

C. Master's Degree

D. Doctorate Degree

E. Vocational or Technical Degree or Certificate

F. I will complete my degree by the end of the current semester.

G. None of the above

3. From the descriptions below, select the one response that best describes your qualification for the Legal Assistant (OA) Recent Graduate, GS-5. The resume must support the response that you select.

A. I have at least one year of specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-4 Federal grade level applying standardized rules, processes, and procedures concerning commonly utilized general reference sources and legal research tools to perform legal support work. This experience must include preparing correspondence and administrative forms using proper format, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

B. I have successfully completed 4 years of education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. This education was obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university.

C. I have a combination of specialized experience described in letter A above and post high school education described in letter B above (e.g. 6 months specialized experience and 2 years above high school meets the specialized experience).

D. I do not possess the specialized experience or education in A, B, or C above.

4. Select the response below that best describes your typing skill:

A. I type 40 words or more per minute.

B. I type less than 40 words per minute.

C. None of the above

For each item, select the one response that most accurately describes your current level of experience and capability using the scale below.

5. Use word processing software to create, edit, and format documents and correspondence.

A. I do not have experience or demonstrated capability in performing this activity, but I am willing to learn.

B. I have limited experience in performing this activity. I have had exposure to this activity but would require additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform it at a satisfactory level.

C. I have a fair amount of experience and a fair amount of demonstrated capability in performing this activity. I can perform this activity satisfactorily but could benefit from additional guidance, instruction, or experience to perform this activity more effectively.