Paralegal Specialist Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. req689 Department U.S. Capitol Police
Salary $150,235.00 to $189,308.00 Grade 11 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/31/2025 Close Date 1/14/2026
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.

This job is open to

The public

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

Clarification from the agency

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: <a href="https://uscp.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home?c=uscp&source=USA">USCP Careers</a>

Duties

This position is located within the United States Capitol Police (USCP) Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Employment Law Division and provides support to more than one attorney, the General Counsel, and the Deputy General Counsel, Employment Law Division. The incumbent of the position works with extreme independence and is proficient in determining sources of information and interpreting information needed to support the work of the attorneys.

The incumbent serves as a paralegal specialist with responsibility for performing independent legal research for and with review by professional staff to include research of statutes, legislative histories, legal opinions, legal text, legal precedents, and other factors which may be related to legal issues involved. The incumbent utilizes independent judgment and discretion in carrying out assignments and is responsible for maintaining strict confidentiality of information within the office.

The incumbent is responsible for performing various responsibilities in support of the office attorneys. Researches and analyzes legal issues relative to facts, issues, and applicable policy; obtains additional facts and information; independently develops appropriate conclusions and justifications; prepares responses for attorney review and signature, to include researching and rendering opinions on legal matters utilizing existing statutes and regulations; reviewing and analyzing the impact of current legislation, regulations, directives, decisions of various courts and administrative bodies for the purpose of promptly bringing changes and impacts to the attention of attorney personnel in order for legal advice to be current and accurate.

Research legislation, regulations, and precedents for the most complex cases or issues. Independently performs extensive legal research and analysis of assigned areas, including electronic discovery and principles of search terms.

Make recommendations to attorneys based on findings and notes any discrepancies in materials or other supporting documents that have been submitted in evidence of claims. Searches for legal precedent in indices and computerized legal reference systems and analyzes their applicability to individual cases. Prepares summaries of research findings.

In support of the attorneys, incumbent performs substantive legal research using computer research methods, a comprehensive file of digested legal decisions, policies, regulations, legal tests, federal and state statues, cases opinions, and precedents bearing on the legal issues involved in the case. Analyzes legal facts and questions and conducts factual investigations. Reviews legal resources for employment, labor law, constitutional Jaw and other legal areas affecting Jaw enforcement for preparation of monthly legal updates.

Obtains information from a variety of sources including reports of investigations and exhibits, police reports, witnesses, administrative documents and prepares documentary files. Organize materials, determine pertinent facts, make interpretations and prepares initial summary recommendations as to appropriateness of data, legal course of action, etc. Performs extensive research and analysis on applicable legal issues and litigation cases. Responsible for analyzing trends of employment issues including the preparation of reports and analysis for review by the Employment Counsel.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S. citizen. Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Must complete a one-year probationary period. Telework according to agency policy.

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

For the CP-11/GS-13 you must have one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the CP-10/GS-12 which is in or directly related to the line of work of the position to be filled, and which has equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience is defined as experience of the following:

  • Proficiently using litigation software tools to review, manage, and produce information for discovery or other matters.
  • Examining, preparing, and processing a variety of technical legal documents.
  • Obtain needed information from files, law enforcement agencies, or other sources.
  • Reviewing incoming material and independently determining the need for assembly and preparation of a variety of legal documents, e.g., complaints, motions, orders, answers, pleadings, and subpoenas.
  • Providing assistance to attorneys in trial preparation by performing duties such as independently compiling trial notebooks, assembling jury instructions, and compiling witness and exhibit lists.
  • Maintaining calendar of assigned active cases. Track’s filing, hearing, and trial dates, and scheduling conferences and interviews.
  • Producing a variety of written documents and materials utilizing a wide range of office software applications.

All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

(Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/)

Education

There is no education substitution for experience in this series and/or grade.

Additional information

Additional Conditions of Employment with the USCP: As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and after a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP. Criminal History Check -- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment. Credit Check -- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification. Selective Service Registration -- Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/verify/ Fingerprint Check -- Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of their criminal history record. Background Investigation -- Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation. There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions, may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.

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.

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.

Evaluation Factors: Please address all Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) within the narrative responses so that your experience can be evaluated properly. We will review your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for this job. If you meet the minimum requirements for this job, we will evaluate your application materials to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your qualifications, accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Failure to successfully pass a full field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this vacancy announcement.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement: 1. Your resume: Effective September 27, 2025, resume page limit is two (2) pages and should include a description of related job duties as well as dates of employment (mm/yy). Margins cannot be smaller than .5 all around and the font no smaller than 11-point. 2. Other supporting documents: - Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. - College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education, or other documentation to prove possession of the basic requirements for this position.

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

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account and select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received, and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 6:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

Email
yetreta.washington@uscp.gov
Address
Office of General Counsel
119 D Street NE
Washington, DC 20510

Next steps

After a review of your application materials is made, you will be notified of your eligibility status. If you are referred to the hiring official, you will receive further notification. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Please note that if you are not selected for this position, the USCP may not be able to provide specific feedback or disclose the reasons for your disqualification, due to confidentiality and legal considerations related to the hiring process.


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