Legal Assistant (Magistrate Court)
About The Position
The Legal Assistant serves as the USAO Magistrate Court Coordinator and acts as a liaison between the United States Attorney’s Office and Magistrate Court. The position manages court dockets and performs legal support duties. Responsibilities generally include preparing and processing legal correspondence and documents; gathering information from files, law enforcement agencies, and other sources; and providing completed legal documents to an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) or, in limited cases, directly to the court. The incumbent also responds to attorney requests, conducts factual and legal research, supports discovery and trial preparation, tracks case progress and court deadlines, coordinates with victim-witness staff, and helps ensure hearings have coverage. Duties and assignments become more complex as training and experience progress.
Requirements
- United States citizen or national.
- At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level for qualification at GS-7.
- Specialized experience includes preparing evidence summaries indicating probable violations of federal laws; obtaining relevant information and submitting legal documents; reviewing incoming material and independently determining the need to assemble and prepare legal documents such as complaints, search warrants, motions, orders, pleadings, and subpoenas; searching legal precedent in indices and computerized legal reference systems; assisting with discovery and trial evidence preparation; preparing trial exhibits such as statistical charts, graphs, and timelines; and ensuring hearings on court dockets have coverage.
- Complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check, including drug screening.
- Complete a USA Hire assessment if required; the announcement states it must be completed within 48 hours from the closing date.
- Meet all eligibility and qualification requirements by the announcement closing date and continue to meet them throughout the hiring process.
- Selective Service registration is required for males born on or after December 31, 1959, unless an approved exemption applies.
Responsibilities
- Examine, prepare, and process technical legal correspondence and other legal documents.
- Prepare evidence summaries indicating probable violations of federal laws.
- Obtain information from files, law enforcement agencies, or other sources and submit completed legal documents to the appropriate AUSA or, in limited cases, directly to the court.
- Respond to attorney requests and conduct factual and legal research in legal and non-legal databases.
- Assist in preparing and organizing evidence for discovery production and trial use.
- Track case status, filings, hearings, trial deadlines, and dates; schedule conferences and interviews.
- Coordinate with the victim-witness specialist and notify appropriate individuals of victim-witness issues.
- Receive visitors and telephone callers.
- Manage and track court hearings and ensure all hearings on court dockets have coverage.
- Assist in coordinating defendant movement from local or State prison, or the Bureau of Prisons, to meet with AUSAs.
Benefits
- Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
