Legal Administrative Specialist; Probate

Summary

This position is located with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Region in Crownpoint, New Mexico;
Gallup, New Mexico;
Shiprock, New Mexico. This is a Bargaining Unit position. For more information see USA Jobs What are bargaining units?

As Legal Administrative Specialist (Probate), GS-0901, your typical work assignments may include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct extensive research on all types of probate cases, including complex estates, through interviews, genealogy review, and examination of agency and tribal records.
• Perform agency-level review of probate cases by verifying ownership of trust and restricted property, ensuring accuracy of legal descriptions, and conducting detailed land title research.
• Develop complex facts and evidence and assemble comprehensive probate case packages, ensuring technical accuracy and legal sufficiency.
• Maintain and update administrative records tracking probate proceedings from initiation through final case completion.
• Review and analyze proposed leases, rights-of-way, and encumbrances affecting trust assets and conduct advanced legal research to support OHA decision makers.
• Serve as a federal representative at probate hearings, presenting factual evidence when required.
• Interpret and implement OHA decisions, update ownership records, coordinate payment of trust/restricted funds, and issue notifications to appropriate federal, tribal, and state stakeholders.

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which fitness and continuation of employment will be evaluated.
• Background security investigation required for all new hires; appointment subject to successful completion and favorable adjudication.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must be registered under the Military Selective Service Act or are not eligible.
• Must operate a government motor vehicle, possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the four-year period immediately preceding submittal of GSA Form 3607.

EXPERIENCE AND

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

(OPM Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for Administrative and Management Positions, GS-0901).

GS-05
:
To qualify at the GS-05 level you must have 3 years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 grade level in the Federal service that demonstrates the ability to analyze problems, gather data, recognize solutions, plan and organize work, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.
OR Successfully completed 4‑year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree. (One year of full‑time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours). Applicants must provide transcripts.
OR Have a combination of education and experience described above, which meets 100% of the qualification requirements.
GS-07
:
To qualify at the GS-07 level you must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5 grade level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include performing a variety of assignments to assist on probate cases, issues, and problems utilizing basic legal principles, research methods, and data analysis; maintaining administrative records that track probate proceedings, using basic knowledge of real and personal property legal principles and legal documents, and reviewing the accuracy and completeness of a probate case file.

OR Have Superior Academic Achievement which included one of the following:
1) Class standing—applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class, based on completed courses; or
2) Grade‑Point Average—applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of 4.0 on a 4‑year timeline; or
3) Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society. Super­ior academic achievement must have been gained in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position.
OR Successfully completed one full year of appropriate graduate‑level education (18 semester hours, 27 quarter hours, or equivalent) in a field of study directly related to the work of this position.
OR Have a combination of education and experience described above,…