What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal position at ESA South, Inc?
Job Summary: Paralegal
Position Summary
ESA South seeking a Paralegal to lead the strategy, organization, and execution of all contract-related risk management efforts across our projects.
This is not an administrative role. This position sits at the intersection of operations, executive leadership, and legal, ensuring that project risk is identified early, documented properly, and positioned for successful resolution.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, organization, and execution of Requests for Equitable Adjustments (REAs) and claims
- Partner with Project Managers and field teams to identify and document contract risk early
- Analyze and interpret contract documents, specifications, and modifications (including unilateral and bilateral mods)
- Build and maintain systems for:
o REA tracking and status reporting
o Documentation and correspondence logs
o Claims support files and executive summaries
- Work directly with outside legal counsel to:
o Prepare claims packages
o Develop supporting documentation and narratives
o Organize exhibits and chronologies
- Identify and escalate constructability and specification issues that present risk to cost or schedule
- Provide clear, concise updates to executive leadership on risk exposure and claim status
- Standardize best practices across the company for contract compliance and documentation
Required Qualifications
- 7–15 years of experience in construction, contracts, or claims management
- Strong experience with federal construction projects (USACE, NAVFAC, VA or similar preferred)
- Deep understanding of:
o FAR / DFARS/ VAAR
o Change orders and contract modifications
o REA, claims development and litigation
- Proven ability to build and defend REAs or claims from real project experience
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage complex documentation
- Ability to work cross-functionally with operations, executives, and legal teams
Preferred Background
- Former Project Engineer, Project Manager, or Contracts Manager with a major contractor
- Experience working on complex or contested projects involving claims or disputes
- Background with firms such as Kiewit, Fluor Corporation, or Turner Construction Company
- Experience working alongside construction attorneys or claims consultants
What Success Looks Like
- Disorganized project documentation becomes structured and actionable
- REAs and claims are proactive, well-supported, and defensible
- Project teams are identifying risk earlier and documenting more effectively
- Leadership has clear visibility into contract exposure and resolution strategy
Who You Are
- A problem-solver, not just a process manager
- Comfortable operating in gray areas and making judgment calls
- Direct, organized, and accountable
- Able to translate complex project issues into clear business and legal narratives
Pay: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
Salary : $60,000 - $70,000