Job summary

THIS IS A NATIONAL GUARD TITLE 32 EXCEPTED SERVICE POSITION. This National Guard position is for a LEGAL ASSISTANT (OA), Position Description Number PDD1081000 and is part of the MA ARNG JAG, National Guard. This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. The unit point of contact and contact phone for this position is: LTC James Downey at 339-202-3837

Major duties

(1) Provides technical and procedural guidance and legal assistance to National Guard members based on an extensive knowledge of rules and procedures. Provides support to administer courts-martial, non-judicial punishment, administrative boards and other assorted actions. Performs research to identify factual and legal issues in order to provide relevant evidence to prepare summaries of precedent cases, interviews, testimony, depositions, and related case material for use by the attorney. Must chose from references that may include, but are not limited to: Department of Defense (DoD), Departments of the Army and Air Force, and National Guard Bureau regulations, Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), State Code, local policies and directives, as well as on line Internet references. Prepares draft legal documents as a result of the research performed, subject to the approval of the assigned attorney. Prepares and organizes trial exhibits and validates citations and legal references on prepared legal documents. (2) Assists with the preparation of wills, powers of attorney, claims, and various other legal documents on a case-by-case basis, in support of the Staff Judge Advocates' legal assistance function. This includes: schedules pre-counseling sessions; interviews client for preparation of appropriate forms and documents necessary to complete wills, powers of attorney, and other legal documents; prepares routine and non-technical legal documents independently, or as drafted by attorneys; and arranges for notary and witnesses for execution of the documents and proper filing and recording of these documents. (3) Prepares and/or reviews documents relative to the administration of justice under the State Military Code and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Performs directed research and preparation of notes and memoranda regarding allegations and possible charges, maintenance of logs and case files, and filing of motions. Prepares and files charge sheets, disposition sheets and other records as directed. Records and transcribes testimony from tapes of courts-martial, depositions, and other hearings as required. Maintains transcript files and exhibits. (4) Reviews regulations, drafts, and civil statutes. Implements instructions and directives. Distributes publications received pertinent to the Staff Judge Advocate. Drafts administrative and reporting procedures for inclusion in state operating procedures and directives. Maintains the office and technical subject matter files. May attend meetings, as designated by the supervisor, to provide data, information, or advice on procedural requirements. Provides assistance to units serviced on preparation and submission of a variety of documents, to assure compliance with directives, or to advise on program procedures. (5) Performs a variety of administrative/clerical support functions to insure the effective operation of the office and legal assistance program. These may include, but are not limited to: receives visitors and telephone calls and exercises judgment in screening those that may be personally serviced or those that require referral; maintains a variety of files, records, forms, and retires same; prepares special and recurring reports; receives and distributes incoming mail and composes replies to routine military and nonmilitary correspondence; reviews incoming documents for completeness and correctness and returns to originator those that require corrections; maintains time and attendance records; maintains suspense records of items requiring action or replies and notifies staff members when action is required; makes travel arrangements for staff members and forwards travel vouchers for reimbursement; requisitions office supplies and office equipment repairs; and keeps appointment calendar for Staff Judge Advocate and staff members. (6) Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualification

Military Grades: ENL: SPC Compatible Military Assignments: MOS: 16R4 *All applications will be considered regardless of Branch MOS* *This is an indefinite position, tenure 3, with a time limit determined by the needs of the agency. Any permanent military technician who is selected for this position will become tenure 3. The selectee will receive the same benefits and entitlements as the tenure 1 employee, but will be considered tenure 3 for purposes of reduction in force. If a permanent resource becomes available, incumbent may be converted to a permanent appointment without competition* AREA OF CONSIDERATION: Open only to onboard T5 National Guard employee or T32 Technician of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERSHIP IS REQUIRED: This is an excepted service position that requires membership in a compatible military assignment in the National Guard. Selectee will be required to wear the military uniform. Acceptance of an excepted service position Constitutes concurrence with these requirements as a condition of employment. Applicants who are not currently a member of the National Guard must be eligible for immediate membership and employment in the National Guard in the military grade listed in this announcement. If you are not sure you are eligible for military membership, please contact a Massachusetts Army National Guard recruiter prior to applying for this position. GENERAL EXPERIENCE: Must have experience, education or training that demonstrates the involved working with office automation systems, software practices and procedures. Experience in working with various legal assistant support functions. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Must have at least 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level. Experience, education or training locating and compiling information from files. Experience processing legal documents by checking them for required information and accuracy, determining if any action is necessary, and annotate case files and status records to reflect receipt and due date for required action. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of months/years. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Evaluations

Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility. Once the application process is complete, a review of resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job. If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position.