Job Listing: LEGAL ASSISTANT (OFFICE AUTOMATION)

Duty Locations

 2 vacancies - Des Moines, IA Why work for SSA?

SSA is searching for individuals who are eager to help others and reach their own potential at the same time.  You can be a vital part of the SSA team that assists millions of retired and disabled workers, their dependents, and survivors.  Serving people from all walks of life, you will assist individuals in establishing entitlement to benefits under Social Security programs.  Join SSA and make a difference in people's lives and your own!

What is the position?

Legal Assistant's provide a full range of clerical and technical support for Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and other technical/professional positions in the hearing office in processing cases filed under Titles II, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act.

 

This position is located in the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review office in West Des Moines, IA.

 

What do we offer?

Highly motivated and diverse workforce;

Dynamic environment;

Not just a job - but a career with professional advancement;

Competitive salaries;

Recognition for outstanding performance;

Innovative training and development opportunities;

Robust health benefit options, federal retirement plan, 401K-style Thrift Saving Program, life insurance, flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent expenses, supplemental vision and dental plans, as well as long term care insurance; 

Generous leave policies including sick leave, vacation time, and paid holidays. 

SSA ranked as one of the top 10 Best Places to Work in the Federal Government!

 

For more information, click on "Benefits and More Information" tab.

 

Other notes:

 

This is a career-ladder position leading to the GS-6 level. 

 

Please read the entire vacancy announcement for additional instructions on how to apply.

 

Applications will be accepted from all U.S. Citizens, certain current or former Federal employees (Reinstatement/Transfer), persons who are severely disabled, certain veterans (30% Disabled/VRA), and others eligible for non-competitive appointment, i.e. returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or VISTA.

 

Please see the Required Documents section of this announcement for information on supporting documentation that must be submitted to receive consideration.

Major Duties

Legal Assistants provide the full range of clerical and technical support for Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) and other technical/professional positions in the hearing office in processing cases filed under Titles II, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security act. They review and analyze a wide variety of medical and legal documentation, records and evidence to ensure that case files are received and developed in accordance with legal and regulatory authorities. They perform a wide range of actions in support of pre-and post hearing case development, including composing correspondence to request medical reports from physicians, hospitals, claimants, representatives, etc., and to prepare responses to written inquiries on cases. Legal assistants schedule cases for hearing in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements and coordinate time and date of hearing with claimants, representatives, expert witnesses, and hearing reporters. They prepare Notices of Hearing, and contractor invoices for payment of vocational experts and medical experts.After the hearing, they reopen records to admit exhibits or close the record if no additional evidence was received. They respond to a wide range of inquiries from public, legal and judicial officials, and Federal, State and local officials relating to the legal processing of the hearings and appeals program. They type draft material from tape recordings or handwritten drafts, and prepare in final form and in correct format after review.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must provide the following:

1. Your responses to the Assessment Questionnaire;
2. Your resume, which should include:

Personal Information: Full name, mailing address, contact information, and Social Security Number.  Resumes that do not contain this personal information will not be processed.
Education:  High School name and date of diploma or GED, Colleges/Universities attended and major field(s) of study, total credit hours received and type and year of degree(s) received.
Work Experience:  Job title, hours per week, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and ending dates of employment (month and year format), salary, duties and accomplishments.  Indicate whether your current supervisor may be contacted.
Other Qualifications:  List your job-related training courses, skills, certificates, licenses, honors, awards and/or special accomplishments.  DO NOT send copies of these documents (if you do, we will discard them).

3.  Other documents specified in the Required Documents section of this job announcement, if applicable.

Use Application Manager for convenience and quickest processing. Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager. Your Application Package status must be Complete by Wednesday, April 09, 2008.

 

Option A:  Application Manager (includes Online Assessment Questionnaire)

To begin, choose one of these options:

·         If your résumé is going to come from the USAJOBS Resume Builder, you begin the process by clicking the Apply Online button near the bottom of this page. Your résumé will be attached only to the Application Package you complete and Submit immediately after you click the Apply Online button for this job announcement, not to any Application Packages you may already have created.

·         If your résumé is going to be one you prepared outside of USAJOBS Résumé Builder, click this link to begin the process:  Online Questionnaire.

 

To return to Application Manager at any time, use whichever one of the links  you used to begin as described above, or simply go to https://ApplicationManager.org.

 

Option B:  Paper Assessment Questionnaire

If it is not possible for you to use Application Manager, you can write your answers on paper.  Follow these steps:

1.      You can print a copy of this job announcement so that you can read the questions offline.

2.      Obtain and print a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX, which you will use to provide your answers. You can obtain the form at this URL http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf or by calling USAJOBS by Phone at (703) 724-1850; after the introduction, press 1, and listen for instructions.

3.      You may submit the Form 1203-FX, resume, and any supporting documents by fax.

·         By Fax: If you are faxing a Form 1203-FX, do not use a separate cover sheet. Simply make sure the Form 1203-FX is on top of any other documents you are faxing. If you are faxing any documents without the Form 1203-FX on top, always use the official cover sheet which is here -- http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf -- and be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.

 

If you decide to complete the questionnaire offline, we suggest that you print this vacancy announcement and refer to it as you answer the questions.  Use the following step-by-step instructions as a guide to filling out the required fields for this questionnaire.  You must provide responses to all required questions. However, you may omit any sections marked "optional."  Be sure to double check your application before submission.

Electronic applications must be completed by midnight Eastern Standard Time on the closing date of the announcement.

Due to our security procedures, we will not accept any applications submitted via email. Email addresses are listed only for inquiries about the position or the How to Apply process. In order to be considered, applicants must follow either the Apply Online process described above or one of the Alternate Application Methods described below.

The following questions ask you to describe your educational background, your work, and other experiences to determine your qualifications for the grade levels to be filled.  Please answer all questions.

Social Security Number


Vacancy Identification Number

SK182695

1. Title of Job

LEGAL ASSISTANT (OFFICE AUTOMATION)

2. Biographic Data

3. E-Mail Address


4. Work Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

5. Employment Availability

The following questions will be used to determine your eligibility for certain noncompetitive hiring authorities.  If you meet one of these statements you must submit appropriate documentation at the time of application.  Veterans must provide a copy of their DD 214 (member 4 copy), current or former Federal employees must provide a copy of their Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that shows the highest grade held and tenure status.  Please refer to the Required Documents section for more information regarding the documentation needed.

Are you currently a permanent (nontemporary) civilian competitive service employee in a Federal agency and hold or have held a GS-06 on a permanent basis?
OR
Are you a former Federal employee who achieved career status in the competitive service and held at least a GS-06 on a permanent basis?  (Generally, this means you have served at least three consecutive years on a permanent career-conditional appointment in the competitive service of the Federal government.)
OR
Are you a former Federal employee who served on a career-conditional appointment and you were separated less than three years ago without achieving career status in the competitive service and held at least a GS-06 on a permanent basis?

If you answer yes, you MUST submit an SF-50 as stated in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

You may submit the SF-50 by fax: Always use the official cover sheet which is here -- http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf -- and be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.

Are you eligible for a noncompetitive appointment to the Federal government as a 30% Disabled Veteran or VRA eligible?  Please refer to the Vet Guide http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm for more information. 

If you answer yes, you MUST provide documentation as stated in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

You may submit documentation by fax: Always use the official cover sheet which is here -- http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf -- and be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.

Are you eligible for a noncompetitive appointment to the Federal government under authorities such as those for the severely disabled or returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista?

If you answer yes, you MUST provide documentation as stated in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

You may submit documentation by fax: Always use the official cover sheet which is here -- http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf -- and be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.

6. Citizenship

Are you a citizen of the United States?
7. Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

8. Other Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

9. Languages

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

10. Lowest Grade

Please enter the lowest grade level you will accept.

040506
11. Miscellaneous Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

12. Special Knowledge

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

13. Test Location

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

14. Veteran Preference Claim

15. Dates of Active Duty - Military Service

16. Availability Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

17. Service Computation Date

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

18. Other Date Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

19. Job Preference

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

20. Occupational Specialties


001 Legal Assistant (OA)
21. Geographic Availability


7010 Des Moines, IA
22. Transition Assistance Plan

23. Job Related Experience

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

24. Personal Background Information

If you are applying by the OPM Form 1203-FX leave this section blank.

25. Occupational/Assessment Questions:

1. From the descriptions A through H below, select the ONE statement that most closely describes your highest experience and/or education in relation to this position. If you highest level of experience is not described below, choose the letter that describes experience that you do have.

A. I have one year of experience that included such duties as typing, answering telephones; maintaining office files; and proofreading documents for grammar, spelling, etc.
B. I possess two years of education above the high school level in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, college or university.
C. I have a combination of education and experience as described in A and B above.
D. I have completed at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level in the Federal service, which included performing clerical, technical, administrative or investigative work that demonstrates my ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, precedents and procedures; and demonstrates my knowledge of legal documents and legal or judicial processes. Examples of my work are: reviewing medical and/or legal documents to ensure the material meets regulations; composing responses to inquiries; scheduling hearings; preparing Notices of Hearings and contract invoices; and responding to inquiries from others, etc. I perform this work under close supervision and in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
E. I have completed at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level in the Federal service, which included performing responsible clerical, technical, administrative, or investigative experience that demonstrates my ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, precedents, and procedures; and demonstrates my knowledge of legal documents and legal or judicial processes. Examples of my work are: reviewing medical and/or legal documents to ensure the material meets regulations; composing responses to inquiries; preparing Notices of Hearings and contract invoices; responding to inquiries from others; requesting consultative examinations and medical records and maintaining a follow-up system; scheduling hearings, including arranging space, travel, if necessary, and scheduling participants, etc. My assignments are given to me by my supervisor and/or team leader. I plan and carry out my work independently in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
F. I have successfully completed 120 semester hours or more; or 180 quarter hours or more, in an accredited college or university towards meeting the requirements for a bachelor's degree.
G. I have a combination of experience as described in "D" above and education as described in "F" above. Only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours or 90-quarter hours can be credited under this combination.
H. I do not meet any of the experience and/or education statements above.

2. Do you possess knowledge of office automation systems and the ability to type 40 words per minute in order to perform word processing duties?

A. Yes
B. No

For questions 3 through 34, choose the ONE letter from the list below that best describes your experience and/or training.

A- I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task.
B- I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job.
C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures.
D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee.
E- I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.

3. Using a personal computer prepares correspondence in draft and final form (e.g., letters, memoranda, reports).

4. Maintain, review, update and utilize a variety of data systems.

5. Maintain a library of permanent templates/diskettes of frequently used materials (e.g., laws and regulations, paragraphs, findings of facts, various generic decision paragraphs, etc.).

6. Operates a personal computer or computer terminal.

7. Use word processing software to place material in tabular or column formats.

8. Use personal computers to prepare mailing lists that can be printed on mailing labels.

9. Create and manipulate simple spreadsheets.

10. Uses a computer for data entry.

11. Establishes own work priorities.

12. Manage several major assignments or projects simultaneously.

13. Rearrange virtually all work priorities and schedules to accommodate a sudden major change, problem, or setback.

14. Manage multiple tasks with short deadlines.

15. Experience in reception and/or telephone duties.

16. Work with the public, legal and judicial officials; and Federal, State and local officials relating to the legal processing of a program (e.g., hearings and appeals program).

17. Assist claimants and other visitors by responding to a variety of questions.

18. Provide claimants information about their rights to be represented.

19. Advise claimants when additional information is necessary.

20. Completed college course in oral communication.

21. Participate in hearings.

22. Train other co-workers.

23. Discuss and explain policies and procedures of a technical nature.

24. Use of proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation when preparing correspondence.

25. Edit and re-write work of others.

26. Prepare letters, memoranda, reports, etc. in final form.

27. Type from handwritten notes and tape recordings.

28. Completed college course in written communication.

29. Review medical case files to determine if additional information is needed.

30. Contact medical personnel to request clarification of material.

31. Provide information regarding the basic legal process and documentary evidence required.

32. Respond to a variety of questions from medical and legal personnel.

33. Input data of a medical and legal nature into reports, databases, etc.

34. Familiarity of medical and legal terminology.

Required Documents:

In addition to the Assessment Questionnaire and the Resume, the following sections provide information on supporting documentation that must be submitted to claim certain types of preference, apply for noncompetitive appointments or substitute education for experience. Please see the How to Apply section above for information on the application process.

Veterans' Preference: If you are claiming veterans' preference under competitive procedures, submit a copy of your military discharge certificate (DD 214 member 4 copy) or other proof of eligibility. To be acceptable, the document must show Character of Service. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference (SF 15) and the required documentation specified on the reverse of the SF 15. You will be granted preference as appropriate based on the documents we receive.  Please refer to the Vet Guide http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.htm for more information.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): If you are an eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) applicant, you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position. To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, you must meet or exceed the fully successful level for the knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if they obtain a rating of 93, not including veterans' preference points.  ICTAP eligibles must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice, a Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting separation, an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated, an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated, or a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

Noncompetitive Appointments : If you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for special appointments such as: persons who are severely disabled, certain veterans (30% Disabled/VRA), and returned volunteers from the Peace Corps or Vista. Indicate the type of special appointment you are seeking on your application and follow all other instructions for applying shown in this announcement.

If you are interested in applying for a noncompetitive appointment for the severely disabled (Schedule A Appointment), please contact the regional Selective Placement Coordinator at jennifer.minor@ssa.gov to discuss additionally required documentation.
If you are applying for noncompetitive consideration under the Veterans' Recruitment Appointment (VRA) or disabled veterans' appointment programs (30% Disabled), submit a copy of your military discharge certificate DD-214 (member 4 copy) or other proof of eligibility.  To be acceptable, the document must show Character of Service.  Submit other documentation, if necessary, as stated in the Veterans' Preference section above.
If you are applying for noncompetitive consideration as a returned volunteer from the Peace Corp or VISTA, you must submit verification of such service.

Current or Former Federal Employees (Reinstatement/Transfer): 
If you are a current career or career-conditional Federal employee, you must submit your most recent performance appraisal and a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that reflects career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service and that reflects you held, on a permanent basis, a position that the full performance level was at least a GS-6. 

If you are a former Federal employee who has reinstatement eligibility, you must submit a Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) that reflects career or career-conditional tenure in the competitive service and that reflects you held, on a permanent basis, a position that the full performance level was at least a GS-6.  

Proof of Education: Submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of courses with title of course, number of credits, grade, and date of completion. To be used in meeting qualification requirements, a college or university degree must be from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

You may submit documentation by fax: Always use the official cover sheet which is here -- http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf -- and be sure to fill it out completely and clearly.  The fax number is 1-478-757-3144.  Feed all documents into your fax machine top first so that we receive them right-side up.

Contact Information:
Terri Brooks

Phone: (816)936-5843

Email: terri.brooks@ssa.gov


Or write:
SSA OHA W Des Moines
Please call if you
need assistance
Kansas City, MO 00000


What To Expect Next:

After all of the applications have been evaluated, you will receive a notification explaining the status of your application.  Applicants referred for consideration will receive a final disposition notice after selections have been made. 

Please note that because we send notifications for each step of the process, we will not respond to status inquiries.

If you applied incorrectly or submitted an incomplete application, we will be unable to send you a notification regarding the status of your application.  Please read the How to Apply instructions carefully to ensure that you submit a complete application.