Paralegal Specialist

Justice Management Division; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Solicitor General in Washington, DC seeks a Paralegal Specialist to assist attorneys in Supreme Court litigation preparation. You will conduct legal research, summarize key authorities, and help ensure accuracy of citations.

Qualifications include GS-09/11 level experience or education substitutions, with a probationary framework and security clearance considerations. This is a full-time federal role located in the nation's capital.

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07 in reviewing, analyzing or evaluating case issues or citations for accuracy in Supreme Court briefs.
• Education options may substitute experience (Master's or 2 years grad study or law degree).
• For GS-11: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 in reviewing and advising on legal issues for citation accuracy.
• Combination of Education and Experience may qualify if the percentage totals to 100.
• Must meet all qualification requirements by the stated deadline.

Responsibilities

• Work with Attorneys to identify required assistance on cases.
• Provide legal support and research for Supreme Court litigation preparation.
• Summarize relevance of various legal information.
• Evaluate, analyze, and cite-check Supreme Court briefs for accuracy.

Skills

Legal research

Case issue analysis

Citations review

Attention to detail

Education

Master's degree

Two years of graduate study

LL.B or J.D.

Job description

Summary

This position serves as a Paralegal Specialist, located in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), Research and Publication Section (R&P), Paralegal Unit in Washington, D.C. The major function of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is to supervise and conduct government litigation in the Supreme Court of the United States (Court).

Duties

• Working closely with Attorneys to identify the type of assistance needed on cases.
• Providing legal support and research to attorneys in the preparation of cases for litigation in the Supreme Court.
• Summarizing the relevance of an array of legal information.
• Evaluating, analyzing, and cite checking Supreme Court briefs in the court.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for specific details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• A USA Hire assessment is required. An email will be sent with additional information after you submit your application. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement to complete the assessment.

Qualifications

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

For the GS-09:

Specialized Experience: For the GS-9, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service which demonstrates providing support to attorney's in reviewing, analyzing or evaluating case issues or citations for accuracy in briefs filed in the Supreme Court.

GS-9 Substitution Of Education For Experience

Education: Master's Degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B or J.D. in a field that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work of the position. (You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

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) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

For the GS-11:

Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service which demonstrates reviewing, analyzing, and advising on legal case issues for the accuracy of legal citations or other references.

GS-11 Substitution Of Education For Experience

Education: Ph.D or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts).

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) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)

You MUST meet all qualification requirements by the 11/19/2026 of this announcement.

Your resume must support your responses to the online 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.

After you submit your application, you will receive notification indicated whether or not the USA Hire assessment is required. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 11/19/2026 to complete the assessment which is part of your application.

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 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.

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.

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.

Career Transition Programs

These programs apply to Federal and/or 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
• Be rated well-qualified for the position [with a score of 85] based on the competencies listed above; and
• Submit the appropriate documentation to support your

Probationary Period

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if 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, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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. More information can be found here:

DOJ Reasonable Accommodation Policy:

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. The DOJ Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found here:

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 Weston Sperbeck at [e-mail]. 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.

Required Documents

• Resume

Resume - All Applicants:

You must submit a resume (a two page or less resume is required) containing the following pieces of information 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.

Veterans Preference Documentation:

If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit:

• a copy of your DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," (Member 4 copy), showing the dates of active duty, type of discharge, and character of service, OR
• a certification letter from the armed forces that certifies you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. This letter must contain (a) military service dates including the expected discharge or release date and (b) character of service.

If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference as a Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient, or Mother or Spouse of a Disabled or Deceased Veteran, in addition to the documents specified above, you must submit all additional proof required by the

CTAP/ICTAP eligibility documentation

If you are a displaced Federal employee claiming eligibility under you must submit:

• A copy of the agency notice (i.e., letter of intent to separate, separation notice, or agency RIF letter),
• Your most recent performance appraisal, and
• Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
• See USAJOBS'

College Transcripts

If you are using education to qualify for this position, or education is required, you must submit: An unofficial transcript containing a full listing of courses, credit earned, grade and grade-point-average, subject area, degree(s) earned, and dates of award. Note: If you are selected for this position, official transcripts will be required prior to your first day.

Reasonable Accommodation

To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Weston Sperbeck at [e-mail] for assistance.

Agency contact information

Weston Sperbeck

Email Address Office of the Solicitor General

2 Constitution Square

145 N Street NE

Room 9W.300

Washington, DC 20530

US

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.