Legal Clerk (DHHS)

ABOUT THE ROLE

BlackFish is hiring Legal Clerks to join a dedicated team supporting a federal appellate program in Washington, DC. This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with a background in legal administration, case management, or federal regulatory work who want to build a career in the government contracting space while doing work that genuinely matters.

As a Legal Clerk, you'll be the operational backbone of a high-volume legal docket - ensuring cases are properly tracked, correspondence is timely, and the administrative machinery of a federal appellate process runs without friction. Attention to detail, reliability, and a respect for process are the hallmarks of success in this role.

This position is in support of a contract for which we are bidding. Any offer of employment will be contingent on contract award.

Position	Legal Clerk
Level	Entry-Mid Level (GS-6 Equivalent)
Location	Washington, DC - Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C St SW (Hybrid schedule)
Hours	Full-Time | ~40 hours/week
Start Date	Late September 2026
Clearance	Must be eligible for and obtain a federal PIV credential (Tier 1 / NACI background investigation). Prior clearance a strong plus.
Compensation	Competitive | Commensurate with experience | Full benefits

WHAT YOU'LL DO

Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Review incoming appeals and prepare acknowledgment orders in accordance with federal appellate procedures and prescribed templates
• Enter new appeals into the Electronic Case Tracking System and e-Filing system; maintain and update case records with current status, documentation, and location information
• Create and maintain Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) case files, ensuring completeness and proper organization throughout the case lifecycle
• Coordinate with court reporters for hearings; manage intake and distribution of incoming and outgoing correspondence including 'Ready-to-Go' decisions
• Perform routine administrative filing - physical and electronic - in compliance with records management protocols
• Prepare weekly administrative reports summarizing case activity, processing status, and workload metrics
• Apply laws and regulations to the facts of individual cases at a clerical level to ensure proper routing, categorization, and processing
• Handle Privacy Act-protected records with strict confidentiality and in compliance with applicable federal regulations
• Support other legal administrative tasks as assigned by the federal Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required - you must meet ONE of the following:

• Associate's degree or Bachelor's degree (any field), OR
• One (1) year of specialized experience applying laws and regulations to facts presented in a legal, regulatory, or administrative adjudicatory context

Required technical proficiencies:

• Proficient in Microsoft Word - document creation, formatting, templates, and mail merge
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel - data entry, basic formulas, and report generation
• Familiarity with Adobe Acrobat Pro for PDF review, annotation, and basic editing
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and navigate multiple software platforms simultaneously

Preferred experience and skills:

• Prior work in a legal office, law firm, federal agency, court clerk's office, or administrative tribunal setting
• Experience with electronic case management, court e-filing, or docketing systems
• Familiarity with federal appellate, Medicare, Medicaid, or administrative law processes
• Strong written communication skills; experience drafting formal correspondence or legal forms
• Demonstrated ability to manage high volumes of tasks under deadline pressure without sacrificing accuracy
• Existing federal PIV badge or prior Tier 1 / NACI investigation - significantly accelerates onboarding
• Comfortable working onsite at a federal facility with periodic telework opportunities

WORK ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE

This position operates within a federal government facility in Washington, DC. Onsite presence is required for tasks involving physical mail processing, case file management, and handling of Privacy Act records.

Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM. The environment is structured, process-driven, and collaborative. You will work as part of a BlackFish team alongside federal staff, with clear direction provided by BlackFish supervisors at all times.

WHY BLACKFISH

• An accessible entry point into federal legal administration with real growth potential
• Competitive salary benchmarked to federal GS equivalency scales
• Comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, and paid leave
• Stable, multi-year program - this is not a short-term assignment
• Supportive team environment with experienced BlackFish supervisors on-site
• Strong platform to build toward Paralegal Specialist, Program Analyst, or Contract Specialist career tracks

Your resume should clearly reflect your educational qualifications or specialized experience as described above. Candidates who meet both the minimum qualification and preferred experience criteria will receive priority consideration.

Security Notice: This position requires access to a federal facility and federal information systems. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and eligible to obtain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential. A Tier 1 (NACI) background investigation will be initiated at time of hire. Candidates with existing investigations at this level or above will be given priority consideration.

Salary

• $18.65 - $24.24/hour