Legal Assistant (Office Automation)

U.S. Army Medical Command•Fort Meade, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves within the US Army Medical Command, at a Medical Treatment Facility as a Legal Assistant (OA) for the Fort Meade Forensic Toxicology Drug Testing Laboratory. This position is responsible for performing legal assistance work that requires specialized knowledge of processes, procedures and practices to support legal activities. Duties include exercising control and maintenance of forensic documents, ensuring a strict chain of custody. Reviewing complex legal documents for accuracy and completeness. Maintaining and safeguarding sensitive forensic documents in accordance with regulations like the Privacy Act, FOIA, and HHS Guidelines. Ensuring external requests for documentation are completed in compliance with rules for releasing sensitive information (PII, PHI). Responding to telephone, email, and FAX inquiries regarding litigation support from personnel such as Commanders, attorneys, and MROs. Preparing and compiling litigation support packages for technical review and certification. Working with inspection teams on a tri-annual and semi-annual basis, gathering and organizing all requested scientific and legal documentation. Ensuring all results on certified Civilian Custody and Control Forms (CCF) are expedited to the Medical Review Officer (MRO) to meet reporting requirements. Providing support to various agencies and personnel by processing special testing requests and tracking specimens. Providing office automation support using various software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access) and hardware (scanners, printers, etc.).

Requirements

Appointment may be subject to a suitability or fitness determination, as determined by a completed background investigation.
This position requires the completion of a pre-employment Physical Examination and an annual examination thereafter to ensure the continued, required level of physical health and ability or fitness to perform the duties of the position.
This position has been designated Mission Essential.
This position has a requirement to lift up to 40 lbs. in the regular performance of duties.
This position has a Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel requirement of 5% of the time.
This position requires shift work to provide coverage on evenings, weekends, holidays, or special situations. Employee shifts are rotated on a regularly scheduled basis.
Employees assigned to a medical treatment facility are required to be screened for applicable immunizations or pre-existing immunity based on occupational risk, regardless of job series.
One year of specialized experience which includes demonstrating comprehensive, practical knowledge of military and federal civilian drug testing regulations, alongside the technical ability to maintain strict forensic chain-of-custody documentation and compile sensitive litigation support packages.
Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-06).
This position requires a qualified typist. A qualified typist can type 40 words per minute based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
You will be required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship.
This position requires a 1 year probationary period during which the agency evaluates your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
Direct deposit of pay is required.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

Exercise control and maintenance of forensic documents, ensuring a strict chain of custody.
Review complex legal documents for accuracy and completeness.
Maintain and safeguard sensitive forensic documents in accordance with regulations like the Privacy Act, FOIA, and HHS Guidelines.
Ensure external requests for documentation are completed in compliance with rules for releasing sensitive information (PII, PHI).
Respond to telephone, email, and FAX inquiries regarding litigation support from personnel such as Commanders, attorneys, and MROs.
Prepare and compile litigation support packages for technical review and certification.
Work with inspection teams on a tri-annual and semi-annual basis, gathering and organizing all requested scientific and legal documentation.
Ensure all results on certified Civilian Custody and Control Forms (CCF) are expedited to the Medical Review Officer (MRO) to meet reporting requirements.
Provide support to various agencies and personnel by processing special testing requests and tracking specimens.
Provide office automation support using various software packages (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access) and hardware (scanners, printers, etc.).