Lead Paralegal Specialist

Federal Trade Commission

Bureau of Competition/ Honors Paralegal Division

Summary

If you are seeking an opportunity to become familiar with the legal and economic methodologies used by attorneys at the Federal Trade Commission during the course of various investigations and litigation, and want to play an integral role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition!

For more information, please visit:

Bureau of Competition | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL)

Federal employees whose job, agency or department was eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

Veterans

Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces or a spouse, widow, widower or parent of a veteran, who may be eligible for derived preference

Individuals with disabilities

Individuals who are eligible under Schedule A.

Clarification from the agency

All U.S. Citizens

Duties

If you are selected for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position, your responsibilities may include some or all of the following:

Performing preliminary screening of substantive material, prior to review by attorneys, separating the material into categories of importance.
Coordinating and leading training on deposition scheduling and exhibit preparation processes.
Coordinating and lead training on the utilization of key agency applications and software's the Bureau uses, including Westlaw, LexisNexis, CaseMap, TextMap, Kiteworks, Relativity, TrialDirector, and PACER.
Reviewing and analyzing numerous case-related documents, often identifying key evidence cited in memoranda and used during investigational hearings, depositions, and/or trial.
Managing deposition preparation and scheduling, including oversight of logistics coordination with vendors, and preparing paper and deposition exhibits.
Digesting transcripts of testimony from investigational hearings and/or depositions, summarizing testimony for attorneys.
Drafting interview reports, declarations, notices, stipulations, and other routine orders on behalf of attorneys.
Assisting attorneys by drafting case decisions, summarizing significant findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Organizing, maintaining, and tracking evidentiary materials using platforms such as Relativity, CaseMap, TextMap, and other database systems.
Supporting the progression of cases from investigation through litigation, while providing leadership to the BC Honors Paralegal team on a variety of case-related tasks.
Providing direct support for trial preparation and proceedings in large, complex, federal civil and administrative trials, including organizing exhibits, coordinating logistics, and preparing materials.
Assisting attorneys during court proceedings, traveling to trial site and investigational hearings when needed.
Monitoring court docket entries and litigation schedules to facilitate filings, including complex filings under seal with multiple exhibits.
Interpreting and applying local rules and judges' standing orders in various federal jurisdictions to ensure compliance in filings and submissions.
Prepare, format, and file federal district court and administrative court documents-including motions, exhibits, briefs, and tables of contents/authorities-ensuring all materials meet electronic filing requirements.
Utilizing TrialDirector software when appropriate for moots and/or trial proceedings to organize, manage, and present exhibits and demonstratives.
Serve as team lead by guiding Honors Paralegals, overseeing work quality and deadlines, coaching on problem-solving, and ensuring adherence to legal and procedural standards.
Maintaining, updating, and disseminating policies, procedures, and written guidance from the supervisor, responding to team questions and ensuring alignment with current directives.
Monitoring and reporting the status and progress of team work to supervisors and attorneys, reviewing in-progress and completed tasks for accuracy, priority alignment, and quality.

Providing ongoing paralegal training through one-on-one coaching, brown-bag sessions, and technical instructions on key software tools (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis, CaseMap, TextMap, Kiteworks, Relativity, TrialDirector, PACER) and professional development.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
Position is subject to a background investigation.
Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
The position may be subject to completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods are an extension of the hiring process.
If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the one-year probationary period.
Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2211.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements:

You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related;

OR

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support; assisting in directing a team of paralegals, evaluating resource allocations, and understanding the breadth of paralegal duties necessary to support investigations; assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support on investigations and litigations.

OR

You have a combination of education and experience, which qualify you for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts . Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications.

Additional information

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: VETERANS GUIDE

Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Selective Service System).

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility. For more information visit: CAREER TRANSITION.

Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:

For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

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.

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.

Review our benefits

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.

How you will be evaluated

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

Once the announcement has closed, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements listed on this announcement. If you are minimally qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. 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. Please follow all instructions carefully when applying, errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

All qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category.

Best-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that substantially exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate high proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Well-Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrates acceptable proficiency in all of the critical competencies.

Qualified: Applicants possessing experience that meets the minimum qualifications of the position and demonstrate basic proficiency in most of the critical competencies.

Veterans: Qualified veterans who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10% are listed in the best-qualified category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-09 grade level, or higher. Other 10-point preference eligibles and veterans with 5-point preference who meet the eligibility and qualification requirements are placed above non-preference eligibles within the category in which they qualify. View information on veterans' preference.

The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):

Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources sufficient to perform extensive research on particular legal issues.
Skill in Litigation Support.
Knowledge of rules, laws, regulations and relevant court decisions and administrative practices that apply to antitrust are required to perform analysis of legal impact on legislative development and administrative and judicial decisions, opinions, and rulings on agency programs.
Skill in Written and Oral Communication.
Ability to lead, guide, and motivate a diverse group towards goal accomplishment.
Ability to train team members in the development of these skills.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13001851.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes:
1. Your resume showing work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment and duties performed.
2. Other supporting documents:
- Cover Letter, optional
- College Transcript(s), if qualifying based on education
- Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
- Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.)
- Schedule A- In order to receive consideration under the Schedule A authority, you must provide a certification of job readiness printed on a medical professional's letterhead and signed. For more information, please visit USAJOBS Individuals with Disabilities (https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/individuals-with-disabilities/)

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.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://login.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Agency contact information

Corey Pickeral

Phone: 202-326-3002
Email: cpickeral@ftc.gov

Address: Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite H-723
Washington, DC 20580
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. After the evaluation is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Lead Paralegal Specialist Job in Washington, DC