Paralegal Specialist (ACE)

For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/

Duties

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) is seeking a highly qualified Paralegal Specialist to support the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) program within the Civil Division.

As a GS-12 Paralegal Specialist, you will serve as a senior litigation support professional providing advanced legal research, investigative support, case development, and program management assistance to Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs).
This position requires extensive independent judgment, advanced legal research and writing skills, and the ability to coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies throughout all phases of litigation.

Duties:

As a Paralegal Specialist (Affirmative Civil Enforcement), you will:

• Conduct advanced legal research and analysis involving federal statutes, regulations, case law, and legislative history to support complex civil litigation.
• Analyze investigative findings, documentary evidence, and legal issues, providing recommendations to Assistant United States Attorneys regarding case development and litigation strategy.
• Develop and evaluate Affirmative Civil Enforcement referrals by identifying evidentiary gaps, recommending additional investigative steps, and assessing litigation readiness.
• Prepare legal documents, including complaints, motions, briefs, memoranda, settlement agreements, and other litigation-related pleadings.
• Organize, analyze, and manage large volumes of documentary and electronically stored evidence, coordinating discovery and preparing trial exhibits for hearings and trial.
• Conduct witness and investigator interviews, summarize testimony, and assist attorneys in preparing for depositions, hearings, settlement negotiations, and trial.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies to support investigations, litigation, and enforcement activities.
• Monitor ACE program activities, prepare reports, and recommend improvements to litigation support processes and program operations.
• Provide technical guidance and training to attorneys and legal support staff on ACE procedures, litigation support systems, and case management practices.
• Utilize litigation support technology and automated systems to manage case information, develop reports, and support courtroom presentations.

Salary

• $91,779 - $119,315/year

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• If you are a male applicant born 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. See http://www.sss.gov/.
• If selected, you may be required to complete a one year probationary period.
• Time-in-Grade: Federal employees must meet time-in-grade requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement.
• You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

Specialized Experience

To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service.

Specialized experience is defined as experience performing substantive paralegal work in support of complex affirmative civil litigation or investigations and includes conducting advanced legal research using statutes, regulations, case law, and automated legal research systems. Drafting legal documents such as pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, settlement agreements, or discovery-related documents. Analyzing investigative findings and documentary evidence to support litigation, fraud investigations, or enforcement actions. Managing complex litigation files, including electronic discovery, trial exhibits, and large volumes of documentary evidence. Coordinating with attorneys, investigators, and client agencies throughout the litigation process, including trial preparation. Preparing analytical reports, summaries, or recommendations that support litigation strategy, investigations, or program operations.

Other Information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. 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: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline. Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package, which includes:

-Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).

- Required: 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. Include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job:

• Official position title (if Federal, include series/grade),
• Employer name and contact information,
• Start and end dates (for full consideration you must include month, day, and year),
• Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
• A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

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.

-Required if you are a current or former Federal employee: a recent copy of an SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, showing title, series, grade, and full performance level (FPL); AND a copy of your most recent performance appraisal. Please note your SF-50 must include your FPL in the remark section (e.g., appointment, reassignment, promotion actions), pay adjustments and awards do not include this information so they are not acceptable.

-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.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/24/2026 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)

3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13006063

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online, contactLori Soller at 3145392200 or lori.soller@usdoj.gov as soon as possible to arrange an alternative application process.

You must specify in your questionnaire under what authority you wish to be considered and submit appropriate documentation to verify your eligibility.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: 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.