Paralegal Specialist

About the role

This position is located in the Civil Rights Division. As a Paralegal Specialist, you will perform legal and factual research and other closely related duties in support of attorneys engaged in civil rights cases and matters.

What you will do

• As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment.
• To build and retain a workforce that reflects the multitude of experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
• The incumbent will serve as a Paralegal Specialist.
• Duties include, but are not limited to: Update and supplement tracking system ensuring that the established file system remains logically organized with files and documents that are easily accessible and able to be quickly retrieved.
• Prepare correspondence, memoranda, justification, and other written documentation involved in providing information about the researched aspects of the cases or issues.
• Prepare interview notes, memoranda, and reports for review by attorneys summarizing the allegations, facts, results of investigations and recommended disposition of cases.
• Prepare legal documents including declarations, memoranda, interview summaries, factual summaries, subpoenas, discovery documents and responses and legal correspondence.
• Proofread, cite-check, finalize, and file legal documents such as briefs and other papers of substance with the relevant court consistent with governing practices and style conventions, court-specific rules, and Department practice.
• Conduct preliminary analysis of the legal sufficiency of information contained in declarations, complaints, FOIA/Privacy Act requests, and similar documents.
• Review and analyze investigative reports and evidence to determine if a particular case is supported by sufficient evidence to provide a basis for enforcement.
• Independently conduct or assist attorneys in conducting interviews with investigative sources and prospective witnesses to gather information.
• Efficiently use document management tools to assist with document review and production, as well as court presentation.
• Effectively handle all arrangements for depositions, including securing court reporting services and office space, and drafting subpoenas and obtaining process servers.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see ***).
• DOJ uses E-Verify, an internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States.
• Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, by visiting ***
• You may be required to complete a pre-employment security screening to initiate your background investigation, which includes a drug screening.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion and adjudication of your investigation.
• You may be required to successfully complete a one-year probationary period.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• Resume cannot exceed two (2) pages.
• A probationary or trial period may be required as a condition of employment for this position.
• If required, you will be expected to serve either a 1-year probationary period or a 2-year trial period.
• During this time, we will evaluate your fitness for continued employment and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• In determining whether your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
• Upon completion of your probationary period or trial period, your employment may be terminated unless you receive written certification that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

This position does not have an education qualification requirement but can qualify using education. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements, please see the statements below.

You will need to submit an official transcript, unofficial transcript, or a list including courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter and/or semester hours earned, degree earned and confer dates.

Failure to provide this documentation will result in objection to your qualifications, and removal from consideration.

You will be required to submit your official college transcript if you are selected.

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Click here to check accreditation.

Foreign Education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that 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 more information about this requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of Education website for Foreign Education Evaluation. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How you will be evaluated

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section. Resumes up to a total of two pages will be accepted. Resumes exceeding two pages will be removed from consideration.

Your complete application package (resume/supporting documentation, online questionnaire, and USA Hire Competency Based Assessment) will be evaluated and rated using 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 questionnaire. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application materials, your responses may be adjusted and or you may be excluded from consideration for this job.

If it is determined you meet minimum qualification requirements, your application will then be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran preference eligibles.

In addition, qualified veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10% or more are placed at the top of the highest quality category (i.e., Best Qualified). A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/02/2026 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.

You will be assessed on the following competencies: Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork Please Note: If you meet the qualifications required for the job, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Assessment.

The invitation to the USA Hire Assessment will be sent from email address: ***.

You must complete the USA Hire Assessment within (48 hours) hours of being sent the email invitation.

Your results will be kept on record, one (1) year, for use when applying for future jobs that require this USA Hire Assessment. Overstating your qualifications and or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment will result in your removal from consideration.

Requests to re-send invitations to the USA Hire Assessment must be received by *** BEFORE expiration of the (48 hours) window described above. If you do not meet the qualifications required for the job, you will not receive an invitation to complete the USA Hire Assessment, and You will receive an email message notifying you of your ineligibility.

Your USAJOBS account will be updated to reflect your ineligibility for the position. You will not be considered further for the position.

Documents you must provide

• You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes Required, Resume - Your resume cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements.
• YOUR RESUME MUST support your responses.
• Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position.
• Additionally, your resume must include the following information for each job listed: month and year, start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• The Resume Builder can also support these recommendations and uses information from your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
• Required: A complete Occupational Questionnaire Required: An unofficial college transcript (Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcript will be required prior to your first day.) and foreign education evaluation documentation, if applicable, as described under the "Qualifications" section of this vacancy announcement.
• Required, if you are applying as a Schedule (A) applicant: Schedule A letter from a physician, local, state or federal rehabilitation office citing your eligibility under 5 CFR 213.3102 (u).
• This letter must be separate from any Veterans Preference documentation.
• If you are selected and your Schedule A letter is more than three years old, you will be asked to provide an updated letter.
• Required, if applicable: CTAP/ICTAP documentation (a copy of a separation notice or other proof of eligibility for priority selection; a copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing current position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location; AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
• Other Supporting Documents, if applicable, such as: Veterans Preference Documentation: If you are a Discharged, Non-Disabled Veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character of discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions, as listed on the SF-15.
• If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives.
• If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, & 6) dated within 120 days of your separation.
• If you are a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Parent or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 and all additional proof that is required by the SF-15.
• You may request a copy of your Department of Veterans Affairs letter from *** or call *** to establish proof of disability.
• For more information: *** If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
• Suitability It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test, which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
• Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation.

What to expect next

If you meet the minimum qualifications for this job, you will receive an email from *** with a link to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. This assessment must be completed within 48 hours after the close of this JOA.

If you have not received the link to the assessment within 24 hours of the closing date and you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, you should contact *** to request the invitation to be re-sent.

Based on your qualifications and assessment scores, after a review of your complete application is made you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official. We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement. Your assessment results will be kept on record for one year and used toward future positions for which you might apply that require the same assessments. After a review of your complete application package you will be notified of your rating and/or referral to the hiring official.

If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. If a tentative job offer is made, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation. We strive to extend a final offer of employment within 90 days from the close of this announcement.

Please Note: Additional candidates may be selected if more positions become available in the Division within 90 days after the HR office issues the selection certificate.

Additional information

EEO Statement: 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 has violated your rights under the Fair Chance Act, you may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly with the DOJ component hiring office listed in the job opportunity announcement. For more information visit USAJOBS Help Center - What are criminal history inquiries?

SCHEDULE A, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Learn more at USAJOBS - Individuals with Disabilities. DOJ welcomes and encourages applicants from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advance on the basis of merit.

The Civil Rights Division also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes directly to Diane Turner by email to ***.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application.

Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis.

If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments.

You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement.

To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: *** Any documentation submitted other than that required in the job announcement will not be considered.