Legal Administrative Specialist

The duties and responsibilities for a Legal Administrative Specialist in the Pathways program generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interpreting and applying pertinent laws, regulations, and policies which govern and affect the Fraud Division's jurisdiction, activity, and public image.
• Preparing well researched and logically organized presentations related to work assignments, presenting facts, issues, and positions with the appropriate diplomacy and emphasis.
• Exchanging and developing information, resolving discrepancies, and making recommendations about conflicting research materials.
• Consolidating program information into presentation format.

REQUIREMENTS
This vacancy is open to RECENT GRADUATES, who have graduated, within the previous two years, (with an associate, bachelor, master, professional, doctorate, diploma, vocational, technical degree, or certificate, etc.) from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical educational program including registered Apprenticeship Programs, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Job Corps, Climate Corps).

-OR-

Any veteran released or discharged from active duty within the previous two years, but due to a military service obligation, was precluded from applying for a recent graduate position during any portion of the two-year eligibility period following completion of applicable degree, and not more than six years have transpired since completing the requirements for the degree.

Qualified candidates will be considered in accordance with the Office of Personnel Management Pathways Guidelines. You can also visit: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/index-Standards.asp for additional qualification standards.

CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS: DOJ has the option to non-competitively convert a Recent Graduate to a permanent or term position upon successful completion of program requirements. This is not automatic, nor guaranteed. Conversion is at the discretion of the hiring manager and employing office. To be eligible to be converted to a permanent or term position you must:

• Be a US Citizen or National
• Be recommended for conversion by your manager or supervisor.
• Complete 40 formal interactive hours of training and development requirements within the 1-year appointment period.
• Successful completion of 1 year of continuous service.
• Demonstrate successful job performance of at least a "Fully Successful" or equivalent on performance appraisal.
• Meet the Office of Personnel Management's qualification standards for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted (which may include a positive education requirement).
• A Recent Graduate may be converted to the highest General Schedule (GS) grade level qualified for at time of conversion.

Recent Graduates converted to a term position in the competitive service may subsequently be non-competitively converted to a career or career-conditional appointment without further competition.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You must successfully pass a security/background investigation and drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year trial/probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for specific details.
• If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.
• A Pathways Recent Graduate Participant Agreement is required.
• Must be in good academic standing as defined by their academic institution.
• Individual must, within the previous two years, have completed a qualifying associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution, which may include...
• ...qualifying career and technical education programs (Registered Apprenticeships, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and similar programs).
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.
• A financial disclosure will be required.

Qualifications

In addition to the requirements above, you must also meet the specific qualifications requirements for this announcement described in the Qualifications section below. Please pay careful attention to the entire announcement to ensure you understand these requirements.

To qualify for the position of Legal Administrative Specialist, GS-0901-5/7/9you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below AND possess the required specialized experience specific to this series and grade.

To be eligible for the Pathways Recent Graduate program you must be:

• A recent graduate who has completed, within the previous two years, a qualifying associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, technical degree, or certificate from a qualifying educational institution or completed a qualifying career or technical education program that awards a recognized postsecondary credential (such as a Registered Apprenticeship Program or Job Corps).

-OR-

• Preference eligible veterans who have been precluded from applying due to their military service obligation begin their two-year eligibility period upon release or discharge from active duty. Eligibility for these veterans cannot exceed six years after degree or certificate completion. You MUST submit a copy of the DD-214 showing the duration and dates of service that precluded you from applying due to the military service obligation.

To qualify for the GS-5 Legal Administrative specialist you must possess at least one of the following:

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-4 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector working in a team environment to provide basic administrative assistance to the team and/or supervising stakeholders.
• A 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in a related field.
• A combination of education and experience.

To qualify for the GS-7 Legal Administrative specialist you must possess at least one of the following:

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector independently developing, organizing and/or maintaining current systems or research aids.
• At least 1 full year of graduate level education in a related field.
• Superior Academic Achievement.
• A combination of education and experience

To qualify for the GS-7 Legal Administrative specialist you must possess at least one of the following:

• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector consolidating information and/or data points into presentation format.
• A Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a related field.
• 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a related field.
• A LL.B. or J.D., if related.

You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/17/2026.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.