Job description
RECRUITMENT: Legal Assistant
Salary Range: $43,550.00 – 53,744.00
Series & Grade: GS-0986-5/6/7
Promotion Potential: GS-0986-8 Open Period: June 18, 2024 – June 25, 2024 Position Information: Full-Time (Permanent) Duty Location: Elkins Park, PA
Who May Be Considered: U.S. Citizens
Job Summary:
Legal assistants provide support to administrative law judges (ALJs), other professionals, and technical staff members in a hearing office. They review claims for legal and regulatory requirements and timeliness; enter information into our data systems; and, prepare cases for hearing before an ALJ. Legal assistants are the first point of contact for claimants and their representatives who may need information about the hearing or seek assistance compiling medical evidence to support their claim.
Key Requirements:
•US Citizenship is required.
•Background and/or Security Investigation required.
•Selective Service registration required for male applicants, unless exempt.
•Relocation expenses will not be paid.
•Telework eligible as determined by Agency policy.
Major Duties:
Legal assistants provide support to administrative law judges (ALJs), other professionals, and technical staff members in a hearing office. They review claims for legal and regulatory requirements and timeliness; enter information into our data systems; and, prepare cases for hearing before an ALJ. Legal assistants are the first point of contact for claimants and their representatives who may need information about the hearing or seek assistance compiling medical evidence to support their claim.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen and have excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, problem solving, analytical, and writing skills. You should also be proficient using a computer. We consider additional qualifications such as experience, education, or a combination of experience and education.
GS-5: One (1) yearof full-time specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 level in the Federal Service performing all or most of the following tasks: Applying laws, rules or regulations and written guidelines; Communicating orally in order to provide information, assistance, or instructions to members of the general public or their representatives; Performing administrative and clerical processes using a computer to reconcile discrepancies, associate documents with related files/records, etc.; Writing correspondence in response to inquiries and drafted a variety of other written products.
GS-6: One (1) yearof full-time specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level in the Federal Service performing all or most of the following tasks: Reviewing legal or medical documents for accuracy in accordance with applicable rules and regulations; Communicating with a wide variety of individuals in order to provide or elicit information; Applying & interpreting laws, rules or regulations and written guidelines; Using a computer to prepare correspondence in draft and final form or to prepare reports.
GS-7: One (1) yearof full-time specialized experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal Service performing all or most of the following tasks: Reviewing and processing a variety of legal and/or medical documentation, records and evidence in accordance with applicable rules & regulations; Communicating with a wide variety of individuals in order to provide advice/guidance about medical or legal claims, hearings process, insurance claims, or other related programs; Interpreting complex laws, rules or regulations and written guidelines & explaining the provisions to others; Using a computer to prepare correspondence and has experience using word processing software (i.e., Word, Access, Excel) for data input, queries, reports or case tracking.
Here is how to qualify based on education
SUBSTITUTING EDUCATION: If you are qualifying for this position based on completed education at an accredited U.S. college, university, or other educational institution, you must provide a copy of your transcripts or other proof of education prior to being appointed. NOTE: Education completed in a foreign institution must be deemed equivalent to that gained in conventional/accredited U.S. education programs. It is the applicant's responsibility to acquire U.S. Certification and provide it at the time of application. For a list of Credential Evaluation Services, log on to: Credential Evaluation Services.
GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study above high school (e.g., 120 earned semester hours, 180 earned quarter hours, bachelor's degree, etc.).
GS-6/7: Substitution of education is not applicable at these grade levels.
COMBINING EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Experience and education as described above may be combined to meet the minimum qualification requirements.
GS-5: Education course work equivalent to a baccalaureate program beyond the second year (e.g., in excess of the first 60 earned semester or 90 earned quarter hours) is creditable toward meeting the minimum qualification requirements.
Note: Experience and education will be computed as percentages of the overall requirements and must equal to 100 percent when combined.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants must submit:
A Resume and your resume should include:
- Personal Information: Full name, mailing address, contact information including email address, and Social Security Number.
- Education: Colleges/Universities attended, major field of study, total credit hours received, and type and year of degree 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.
Resumes must contain all of the information listed above in sufficient detail to enable Human Resources to make a determination that you have the required qualifications for the position.
Proof of Veteran Preference (if applicable). If you claim Veterans' Preference, you must provide:
- DD-214 (Member-4 Copy)
- If you claim 10-point preference, also submit an SF-15 (http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf)and the documents listed in the "Documentation Required" section of the SF-15 form. Save anelectronic copy of the completed form to upload with your other application documents.
Submit your resume and application materials electronically to PH.PA.OHO.EP.GS@ssa.gov, or to:
Heather Veludo
Hearing Office Director
8380 Old York Road, Ste. 250
Elkins Park, PA 19027
Candidates with questions may contact the office at: (886) 964-7369, extension 14338.
Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $43,550.00 – 53,744.00 per year
Schedule:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Elkins Park, PA 19027: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $43,550.00 - $53,744.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Travel requirement:
Experience:
- Microsoft Office: 1 year (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Reading, PA 19601 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Reading, PA 19601: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person