Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Legal Branch of the Probate Division of the District of Columbia Superior Court. The Legal Branch is responsible for providing review and recommendations on court filings, representing the office at court hearings, meeting with members of the public seeking to open Probate cases, and providing legal support throughout the Probate Division. The incumbent will provide legal assistance and will also perform clerical, technical and administrative tasks.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

• Provides legal assistance to the Legal, Auditing, Guardianship Assistance, and Operations Branch staff.
• Performs legal research and prepares memoranda on complex legal issues.
• Prepares workload measurement and administrative reports, as well as correspondence and documents regarding probate matters.
• Reviews proposed orders in major litigation cases, settlement agreements, and other cases to ensure compliance with procedural rules and statutory requirements.
• Represents the Office of the Register of Wills at Court hearings.
• Serve as project lead or liaison for assigned Probate Division initiatives and programs.
• Supervises or assists in the management of office level staff.
• Develops training plans and work assignments.
• Receives members of the public, court visitors and phone calls.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Background and security investigation are required.
• A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed.

To qualify for this position, the following must be submitted:

Resume

Completed Vacancy Questionnaire

Documentation / Proof of Education (e.g. law school degree or transcript)

Certificate of Good Standing with the D.C. Bar

Copy of the D.C. Courts' Management Training Program certificate, if applicable

List of three (3) professional references

All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Law degree from an accredited university or college plus two (2) years of general practice, including one (1) year of experience in the area of probate law.

Active D.C. Bar membership in current good standing, or eligibility to waive into the D.C. Bar is required. If not a member of the D.C. Bar, waiver into the D.C. Bar within six months after an offer of employment is a condition of employment.

One (1) year of supervisory experience is required. Successful completion of the D.C. Courts' Management Training Program may substitute for one year of supervisory experience, and proper documentation must be provided.

Knowledge of probate and fiduciary law and rules, both procedural and substantive.

Demonstrated skills in legal research and writing.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts' values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Documentation of education and proof of D.C. Bar membership in current good standing (or eligibility to waive into the D.C. Bar) must be submitted with your application or your application will not be considered.

Rule T of the D.C. Superior Court states: "Neither the Clerk nor the Clerk's assistants, nor anyone serving as a law clerk or secretary to a judge of this Court, or employed in any other capacity in this Court, shall engage in the practice of law while continuing in such position."


Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts is required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at the time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all non-judicial new employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements. Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.

Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

Resume

Completed Vacancy Questionnaire

Documentation / Proof of Education (e.g. law school degree or transcript)

Certificate of Good Standing with the D.C. Bar

Copy of the D.C. Courts' Management Training Program certificate, if applicable

List of three (3) professional references

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.