PARALEGAL SPECIALIST Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. DE-12787835-25-BC Department Federal Trade Commission
Salary $57,164.00 to $74,318.00 Grade 7 to 7
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/5/2025 Close Date 9/19/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

If you are seeking an opportunity to become familiar with the legal, and economic methodology 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 one of the various Bureaus or Offices at the Federal Trade Commission! For more information visit, www.ftc.gov.

Duties

If you are selected for this position you may be performing some or all of the following duties:

  • Performs research using library references, corporate records, private and governmental studies, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources, to supply factual information for inclusion in memoranda, briefs, and similar documents. Uses electronic databases to assist in factual and/or legal research; encodes substantive case materials; retrieves and analyzes materials through data searches.
  • Collects and preserves various types of evidence including websites, social media posts, blog posts, and audio and video recordings.
  • Drafts declarations detailing investigative steps for use in court proceedings.
  • Writes and/or edits interview reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, citations, etc., discovered during the course of research.
  • Prepares table of contents, indexes and table of authorities for legal briefs, memoranda, and other such documents; reviews and researches citations, footnotes, textual references and other entries for accuracy.
  • Digests substantive materials or transcripts of testimony from investigational hearings and/or depositions; indexes documents in accordance with legal categories determined by the attorney to whom assigned.
  • Assists attorneys in conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses to gather information.
  • Organizes, maintains and/or archives files (interrogatories, document requests, requests for admission, objections, motions, affidavits, general correspondence, exhibits, etc.) for case team members throughout the course of an investigation or litigation.
  • Tracks materials to be used as exhibits in administrative proceedings and federal court trials.
  • Coordinates various support services as required by attorneys assigned to a case (i.e. requesting court reporters, shipping materials, coordinating with litigation support, etc.).
  • Assists in court proceedings, traveling to trial site (when necessary), investigational hearings, depositions, etc., in support of attorneys and case team during the course of investigation and/or litigation.
  • Performs research using library references, corporate records, government policy, legal research databases, and other pertinent sources and collects and analyzes agency data to supply factual information to agency leadership, aids in the drafting of new policy, and informs through memoranda, briefs, and other documents.
  • Drafts/edits weekly report to the Executive Director/Chairman; creates and manages dashboards.
  • Plans and attends agency-wide and office training events; learns about risk management strategies and resources and uses various tool sets to resolve risk-related issues.
  • Coordinates various support services or projects in collaboration with bureaus and offices across the agency, to include the Chairman's office and the Commissioner offices.
  • Drafts and/or edits reports, memos, policies, announcements and other communications
  • Writes and/or edits briefing reports and other memoranda reflecting facts, sources, and citations discovered during the course of research; assists in responding to recommendations made by the Office of the Inspector General; takes minutes of meetings.
  • Drafts and/or edits weekly report to the Chairman; creates and manages dashboards.
  • Analyzes, presents, and makes recommendations about data.

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.
  • 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, Local 2211, AFL-CIO.
  • This is a full-time, non-supervisory, term appointment in the competitive service for up to 4 years, subject to a one-year trial period in accordance with 5 CFR 316.304. Trial 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 trial period.

Qualifications

To qualify for a Paralegal Specialist at the GS-07 level, you must meet the following requirements:

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: such experience may include assisting in investigation and/or litigation; conducting legal and relevant industry research; database development and use; review and analysis of documents and data during the discovery process; interviewing investigational sources; producing written and oral reports based on interviews, research and data analysis.

OR

Have 1 full year of graduate education

OR

Have Superior Academic Achievement S A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or b. 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.

OR

Have equivalent combinations of graduate education and experience.

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 job 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: FOREIGN EDUCATION BUREAUS and OFFICES.

The Bureau of Competition's (BC) Honors Paralegal Program attracts motivated and dedicated individuals from across the country. Honors Paralegals work on both merger and conduct-related investigations with staff attorneys, economists and financial analysts across the Bureau, and have the opportunity to work on a case from the initial stages of an investigation through litigation in federal and administrative courts. The Bureau of Competition considers its Honors Paralegal Program to be an unqualified success, allowing the Bureau to spread its resources more broadly and efficiently. Those who have participated in the program have found it to be a rewarding opportunity to learn about a career in law, economics, and public policy. The distinguished group of Honors Paralegal alumni have gone on to attend graduate programs and start careers in public policy, law, and business, among others.

The Bureau of Consumer Protection (BCP) enforces the law against a wide variety of unfair or deceptive practices and helps educate consumers and businesses throughout the country about how to protect themselves and their communities against deception and other illegal conduct. The Bureau's work includes protecting children, consumers, and businesses from harm; holding scammers and fraudsters accountable; and protecting consumers' ability to know whether the products they purchase were "Made in the USA." Honors Paralegals within the Bureau work with attorneys, and may review consumer complaints, interview witnesses, assess trends, gather evidence, conduct research, assist in litigation, analyze financial data, review public comments, and assist with public events.

This Office of General Counsel (OGC) is the Commission's chief legal officer and adviser. The office represents the Commission in appellate and district courts in cutting-edge cases involving constitutional law, administrative law, antitrust, and consumer protection. The office also provides legal counsel to the Commission, the operating bureaus, and other offices, helping to ensure compliance with numerous statutes and regulations, including the Administrative Procedure Act, the Freedom of Information Act, and the Commission's Rules of Practice. The Honors Paralegal will conduct legal and factual research, ensure that legal briefs and memoranda are accurate and well-supported, and provide other legal and administrative support to OGC. The position requires analytical ability, intellectual curiosity, good judgment, and close attention to detail. Former OGC paralegals have gone on to attend top law schools and have distinguished legal careers, including within the FTC.

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).

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.

Benefits

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):

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.)

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 below.

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://my.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

Keonnie Daniel
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.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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