Paralegal Specialist

Department of Justice

Offices, Boards and Divisions

Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch

Summary

The Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch Civil Division is seeking highly skilled candidates with significant experience to serve as Paralegal Specialists. The incumbents will perform legal research, manage electronically stored information, and provide direct support to attorneys, including trial preparation and in-court presentation of electronic evidence through databases, including Sanction.

This job is open to

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of the hiring agency that posted the job announcement.

Clarification from the agency

Current permanent DOJ employees with competitive status; or DOJ Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) eligibles.

Duties

The duties and responsibilities for a GS-0201-09/11 Paralegal Specialist generally include, but are not limited to, the following:

GS-09:

Conducts basic and legal research for assigned cases.
Reviews and analyzes prior case materials to become familiar with questions under consideration.
Uses electronic databases and other electronic means to perform various litigation support tasks, including organizing, indexing, and summarizing documents, files, and other material.
Utilizes the court's electronic case filing program and applies knowledge of the applicable local court rules and procedures for preparing and filing legal documents, including preparing documents for and running tables of contents, tables of authorities, and other required elements.
Retrieves cases and searches legal reference files for information and dates required. Uses LEXIS and WESTLAW cite-checking features to verify citations and legal references in prepared
Assists with preparing, editing, and updating office reports on litigation status. and other topics.
Drafts and revises other non-legal memoranda and reports.
Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.

GS-11:

Conducts factual and legal research in a variety of legal and non-legal reference sources and databases and provides information in response to questions of moderate variety and complexity.
Drafts memoranda and comprehensive written reports that serve as the basis for developing critical legal arguments, recommendations, or opinions.
Independently conducts legal research on statutes, legislative history, regulations, and administrative and judicial precedents, including research in specialized areas requiring examination of esoteric sources and issues of first impression.
Provides technical support to attorneys during deposition and trial. Ensures that pleadings, exhibits, trial notebooks and similar materials are prepared and ready for trial and evidentiary hearings.
Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.
Supports attorneys in developing and managing evidence pertaining to all aspects of litigation, including investigations, pre-trial discovery, and interviews with investigative sources and witnesses.
Prepares and organizes evidence for production in discovery and for use in trial. Codes and indexes discovery documents using legal case management software such as Relativity, Concordance, and Summation.
Drafts discovery requests, subpoenas, stipulations, and affidavits and other documents necessary for evidentiary development. Prepares witness binders and for use during investigations, depositions, hearings, and trial. Prepares trial exhibits such as statistical charts, graphs, timelines, and maps to be presented in court.
Provides technical assistance and logistical support to trial attorneys and witnesses in preparation for evidential hearings and trials and in the courtroom.
Utilizes the court's electronic case filing program and applies knowledge of the applicable local court rules and procedures for preparing and filing legal documents, including preparing documents for and running tables of contents, tables of authorities, and other required elements.
Proofreads and cite-checks legal briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents. Verifies accuracy of factual and legal references, ensures that citation format accords with requirements, and ensures that cases relied upon remain good authority.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a United States Citizen or National.
You must successfully pass a security/background investigation and a drug screening.
You must be a current permanent Department of Justice employee with competitive status or a CTAP/RPL eligible candidate.
You must meet all applicable time-in-grade requirements by the closing of this announcement.
Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31, 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
You must meet all eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement and continue to meet these requirements throughout the hiring process. Offers can be rescinded if requirements are not met.
You will be required to complete a probationary period (if applicable).

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist, at GS-0950-9/11, you must meet the qualification requirements listed below.

If you are a current or former federal employee on a permanent appointment in the competitive service, you will need to demonstrate 1-year (52-weeks) at the next lower grade level as listed in the qualifications below. Time-in-Grade applies if you are in a current GS position or held a GS position within the previous 52 weeks. Additionally, please ensure to submit an applicable SF-50 (please refer to the "required documents" section for additional information).

To qualify for the GS-09 Paralegal Specialist position, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the federal service performing such duties as:conducting legal research and analyzing statutes, regulations, case law, administrative decisions, or legal guidance; preparing draft memoranda or recommended actions for attorney review; searching and reviewing legal references, case files, and other sources for information and data required by attorneys or court personnel.

OR

Have a master's or equivalent graduate degree or successfully completed at least 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR received an LL.B or J.D if related.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 36. Add the two percentages.

To qualify for the GS-11 Paralegal Specialist position, you must demonstrate that you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level in the federal service performing such duties as:Independently conducts factual and legal research in a variety of legal and non-legal reference sources and databases and provides information in response to questions of moderate variety and complexity; independently reviews, processes, and prepares litigation documents covering legal issues as a case progresses through administrative or judicial litigation; drafts correspondence, pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents; supports attorneys in developing and managing evidence pertaining to all aspects of litigation, including investigations, pre-trial discovery, and interviews with investigative sources and witnesses.

OR

Education: a LL.M, a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. Education at the graduate level must be in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of the position;

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: combination of education and experience that may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) by 54. Add the two percentages.

You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by 08/11/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the application questionnaire and the qualification requirements. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.See the Required Documents section for important notes about what must be included in your resume.

Education

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

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

FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website.

If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

Additional information

Additional selections may be made from this announcement.

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. The bullets below outline the various groups of applicants that fall under the term "status candidates". This vacancy is open to applicants from any of the groups listed below: When you apply you'll have the chance to claim an eligibility pathway, be sure you fully read each statement and any links provided to make sure you know which eligibility you qualify for. See a full list and learn more at USAJOBS, see: What does Status Candidate mean? or Which Jobs am I Eligible to Apply for?

CURRENT AND FORMER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES: For more information, see USAJOBS Federal Employees.
CAREER TRANSITION PROGRAMS (CTAP ): For more information visit: USAJOBS Career Transition Programs

General Employment Information:

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: Our policy can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/reasonable-accommodation#policy
SELECTIVE SERVICE: If you were born male, on or after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Additional information is found at: www.sss.gov.

Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP): This program applies to DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:

Meet CTAP eligibility criteria;
Be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 85 or above based on the competencies listed above; and
Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: The Fair Chance Act prohibits Federal agencies from requesting an applicant's criminal history information before the agency makes a conditional offer of employment. If you believe a DOJ employee or Federal contractor acting on its behalf has violated your rights under this Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to Victoria Jones at victoria.jones@usdoj.gov.

Note: In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201(b) certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance Act. This position is excluded from the bargaining unit.

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 closes, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted by the HR Specialist. This information will be compared against your responses to the application questionnaire to determine your eligibility for Federal employment, and then whether you are qualified for this particular position. If a determination is made that you have inflated your responses when compared to your background information, you may be deemed ineligible.

BASIS OF RATING: DOJ's Merit Promotion Procedures will be used to evaluate candidates. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, and other characteristics):

Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence

Your application will be evaluated and rated under DOJ's Category Rating and Selection Procedures. Your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine whether you meet the job qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are basically qualified for this job, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the online assessment questionnaire. Qualified applications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Names of all candidates in the highest qualified category will be sent to the hiring official for employment consideration. Applicants must receive a cut score of 85 to be considered.

If you would like to preview the application questionnaire, please see: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13030094

Required Documents

It is your responsibility to carefully review the list of required documents below and submit the necessary documentation based on your eligibility.Resume - All Applicants: You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following for each job entry listed in your employment history:

Official position title,
Employer name and contact information,
Start and end dates (including month and year),
Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
A list of duties performed and accomplishments

If you are a current or former Federal employee:

You must submit your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) or equivalent agency form. Do not submit an award SF-50. Your SF-50 should list the full position title, series, grade and step,organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and your service type and tenure status.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance evaluation or appraisal, signed, showing your final rating. If a performance appraisal is not available submit a statement explaining why one is not available. Note: See USAJOBS Current & Former Employees for more information.

If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under CTAP:

You must submit your separation notice or agency RIF letter from your agency OR if you have not yet been separated, you can provide the letter of intent to separate you from the agency because of reduction-in-force.
Submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal and SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location OR 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 using education to qualify for this position, or education is required:

You must submit a transcript, which may be unofficial, as long as it contains a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award.
Your transcript must come from a nationally accredited educational institution recognized by the Department of Education.
Please do not submit electronic transcripts with documentation security protection. These may prevent our application system from accepting and processing the document.

If submitting a foreign transcript, you must have the transcript reviewed by an approved foreign education review organization recognized by the Department of Education. Your transcript must also be in English or have an English translation included.

Due Weight for Performance:

You must submit a copy of your most recent performance appraisal, and
A list of any awards (e.g. superior performance awards, special act or achievement awards, quality step increase, etc.) you received in the last 5 years. Any performance appraisal/evaluation and award documentation you provide will be forwarded to the selecting official. The selecting official will review this documentation and give it due weight consideration during the overall selection process. Due weight for performance applies to federal and non-federal work. If you do not have your most recent performance appraisal/evaluation, please submit a statement as to why it is not available.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online questionnaire and submit your supporting documentation. Your complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/11/2026 to receive consideration.

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.

NEED HELP?
If you need help with USAJOBs or the application process, please see the USAJOBS Help or Application Manager Online Help websites which includes information on managing your account, creating an application, uploading documents, etc.

Reasonable Accommodation: To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Romaine Chase at romaine.e.chase@usdoj.gov or 202-514-4661 for assistance.

Agency contact information

Romaine Chase

Phone: 202-514-4661
Email: romaine.e.chase@usdoj.gov

Next steps

You will receive e-mail notifications as your application status is updated by DOJ. However, you can also see your application status any time by logging in to your USAJOBS account and looking on the "Applications" page. Click the position title to expand the display for each application in the list.

We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement. Additional selections may be made from this announcement within 90 days.

Paralegal Specialist Job in Washington, DC