Remote Legal Assistant Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Summary
The Department of the Interior is devoted to protecting and preserving the natural resources of this great nation, including National Parks, Landmarks, and the well-being of communities, including those of Native American, Alaska Natives and affiliated Islanders.
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Duties
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These positions are located within the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, DAS-Administrative Services, Office of Hearings and Appeals, Probate Hearings Division, Albuquerque Field Office/Twin Cities Field Office, duty stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico or Bloomington, Minnesota.
At the full performance level (GS-07) the major duties of this position include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Receive and transfer phone calls, take and timely communicate phone messages in a professional manner; answer basic and routine questions and inquiries from interested parties; prepare and send faxes and emails; prepare and review time and attendance records.
2. Process all incoming mail, including correspondence from parties or attorneys, returned mail from notices and decisions, additional document submissions from agencies or other parties. Copy, mail, and scan documents.
3. Review incoming probate case material to ensure it is current and complete; maintain case files from initial filing to completion, correctly input data into docketing system on a timely basis, and search various system records when additional information is required. Maintain complete and orderly files in a manner that expedites retrieval; understand and ensure record and privacy requirements are followed.
4. Use online legal, tracking, or other resources and databases to obtain information. Retrieve and input data into electronic docketing systems; perform administrative duties using electronic databases, systems, and software.
5. Review outgoing decisions, notices, and other documents for grammatical and spelling errors.
6. Coordinate travel arrangements, prepare travel authorizations, and prepare vouchers in a timely manner.
7. Arrange facilities for conferences and hearings and prepare presentation material or background documentation.
8. Responsible for ordering and maintaining adequate supply inventories, tracking property, and ensuring equipment such as copiers, faxes, and shredders are maintained in good working order and in accordance with requirements.
Telework:
The Office of the Secretary has determined that the duties of this position are suitable for situational telework and the selectee may be allowed to telework with supervisor approval.
Salary Range Information (Per Annum):
GS-05:
$41,178 - $53,531 per annum
GS-06:
$45,901 - $59,671 per annum
*First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions as vacancies become available.
This vacancy is also announced as OS-6082-26-FS-004(MP) for those applicants who wish to apply and be considered under Merit Promotion procedures.
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

1. You must be a U.S. Citizen.
2. You will be subject to a background/suitability investigation/determination.
3. You will be required to have federal payments made by Direct Deposit.
4. You must submit ALL required documents and a completed questionnaire.
5. Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born 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. See http://www.sss.gov/.
6. A current and valid State Driver's License is required for both grade levels. Incumbent must be able to rent a car, and be available to travel periodically, by air or car, to remote locations within the United States.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
To qualify for this position, you must meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements for the grade to which you are applying.
GS-05
To qualify for this position at the GS-05 grade level you must meet the (A) Specialized Experience OR (B) Educational Requirement OR (C) Combination of Education and Experience for the grade to which you are applying.
NOTE: Applicants qualifying based in whole or part on education are required to provide transcripts (unofficial) as proof of meeting the requirements. Failure to provide the documents will result in you receiving an INELIGIBLE rating.
A. Specialized Experience
To qualify for the GS-05, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience: (MUST MEET ALL THREE)
1. Sorting, categorizing and distributing mail; AND
2. Using a paper AND electronic filing system; AND
3. Utilizing basic computer software skills to produce reports, correspondence, spreadsheets; and keeping calendars.
In addition to meeting ALL THREE statements defined above, applicants MUST MEET AT LEAST 2 of the following 5 specialized experience statements:
1. Performing data entry duties using a database, access or excel:
2. Utilizing customer service skills and phone etiquette;
3. Copying, mailing, and scanning;
4. Preparing travel authorizations, vouchers or making travel arrangements utilizing a computer online reservation system;
5. Acting as timekeeper for time and attendance purposes or in another payroll processing capacity.
-OR-
B. Education: Four full academic years (120 semester hours) beyond high school at an accredited institution.
-OR-
C. Combination of Education and Experience:
A combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) that totals 100% of the requirement. For example, one full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.
NOTE: If qualifying in whole or in part on education you are REQUIRED to submit a copy of your unofficial or official transcript to verify education.
GS-06
To qualify for this position at the GS-06 grade level you must meet the Specialized Experience described below. NOTE: You may not substitute education for Specialized Experience at the GS-06 grade level.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify for the GS-06, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.
Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience (MUST MEET ALL FOUR)
1. Sorting, categorizing and distributing mail; AND
2. Using a paper AND electronic filing system; AND
3. Copying, mailing, and scanning; AND
4. Utilizing basic computer software skills to produce reports, correspondence, spreadsheets; and keep calendars.
In addition, to meeting ALL FOUR statements defined above applicants MUST MEET AT LEAST 2 of the following 4 specialized experience statements:
1. Performing data entry duties using a database, access or excel;
2. Utilizing customer service skills and phone etiquette;
3. Preparing travel authorizations, vouchers or making travel arrangements utilizing a computer online reservation system;
4. Acting as timekeeper for time and attendance purposes or in another payroll processing capacity.
NOTE: A current and valid State Driver's License is required for both grade levels. Incumbent must be able to rent a car, and be available to travel periodically, by air or car, to remote locations within the United States.
Additional information on the qualification requirements is outlined in the OPM Qualification Standards Handbook of General Schedule Positions and is available at OPM's website: https://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/indexes/num-ndx.asp
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Education: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide transcripts as proof of meeting the requirements.
Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-policies/#url=e4
Additional information
Applicants who include vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate language or information in their application package will be ineligible for further consideration for this position.
Identification of promotion potential in this announcement does not constitute a commitment or an obligation on the part of management to promote the employee selected at some future date. Promotion will depend upon administrative approval and the continuing need for and performance of higher-level duties.
The application contains information subject to the Privacy Act (P.L. 93-579, 5 USC 552a). The information is used to determine qualifications for employment, and is authorized under Title 5, USC, Section 3302 and 3361.
NOTICE: This employer participates in E-Verify and will utilize your Form I-9 information to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S.
A preliminary background check must be completed before a new employee can begin work with the U.S. Department of the Interior. The preliminary background check consists of a search of Office of Personnel Management and Department of Defense background investigation files and an FBI National Criminal History Fingerprint Check; it may take up to 3 weeks to complete. If selected for this position, you will be extended a tentative offer of employment pending a satisfactory background check. Current Federal employees or individuals with an existing completed background investigation may not be required to undergo another background check; these will be handled on a case-by-case basis in coordination with the Bureau security office.
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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.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.