What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal Specialist position at Office of Legislative Affairs?
This position serves as Paralegal to the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA). OLA has responsibility for the development and implementation of strategies to advance the Department's legislative initiatives and other interests relating to Congress.
For the GS-07
Specialized Experience: For the GS-07, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Managing files, case documents and exhibits for attorneys; 2) Utilizing a variety of computer software, hardware, electronic or photographic equipment; AND 3) Drafting notes or other written administrative work products.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts)
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for this position. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; (Note: You must provide a copy of your transcripts)
OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - You must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on my official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B " or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts)
OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - You may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). (Note: You must provide documentation)
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) by 18. Add the two percentages. (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts) (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts).
For the GS-09
Specialized Experience: For the GS-09, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: Searching and reviewing legal references, case files and other source of information required by attorneys.
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (NOTE: You must provide 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 first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts).
For the GS-11
Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Managing legal case files and documents; 2) Summarizing and compiling information utilizing statutes, regulations, department orders, and other legal reference materials; AND 3) Presenting findings or conclusions using appropriate language, legal reasoning, and organization of facts or ideas.
OR
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 provide 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 provide a copy of your transcripts)
You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 06/11/2026 of this announcement.
Your resume must support your responses to the application 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 this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 06/11/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
This position is responsible for work which is ancillary to the work of attorneys within the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), such as preparing for hearings before Congress, preparing for briefings, or assembling and arranging case files and documents. The incumbent will perform legal support services, such as the preparation, analysis and processing of legal documents, recommendation memorandum, statistical analysis, and legal research.
The duties listed above are generally written for one grade level. If the position is advertised at multiple grades, the duties will be adjusted in difficulty, complexity, and level of supervision, for higher or lower grades, as appropriate.
Qualifications:
To qualify for the position of Paralegal Specialist, at GS-0950-7/9/11, you must meet the basic qualification requirements listed below.For the GS-07
Specialized Experience: For the GS-07, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-05 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Managing files, case documents and exhibits for attorneys; 2) Utilizing a variety of computer software, hardware, electronic or photographic equipment; AND 3) Drafting notes or other written administrative work products.
OR
Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts)
OR
Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for this position. Superior Academic Achievement is based on:(1) Class Standing - You must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses; (Note: You must provide a copy of your transcripts)
OR
(2) Grade-Point Average (G.P.A.) - You must have a grade-point average of either (a) 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on my official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or (b) 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B " or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.; (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts)
OR
(3) Honor Society Membership - You may be considered eligible based on membership in one of the approved national scholastic honor societies listed by the Association of College Honor Societies (https://www.achsnatl.org/). (Note: You must provide documentation)
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) by 18. Add the two percentages. (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts) (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts).
For the GS-09
Specialized Experience: For the GS-09, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-07 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: Searching and reviewing legal references, case files and other source of information required by attorneys.
OR
Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D. in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. (NOTE: You must provide 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 first year (total graduate semester hours minus 18) by 18. Add the two percentages. (NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts).
For the GS-11
Specialized Experience: For the GS-11, you must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 grade level or equivalent pay band in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is defined as: 1) Managing legal case files and documents; 2) Summarizing and compiling information utilizing statutes, regulations, department orders, and other legal reference materials; AND 3) Presenting findings or conclusions using appropriate language, legal reasoning, and organization of facts or ideas.
OR
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 provide 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 provide a copy of your transcripts)
You MUST meet all qualification requirements, including time-in-grade, by the 06/11/2026 of this announcement.
Your resume must support your responses to the application 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 this application, you will receive an e-mail informing you that a USA Hire assessment is required of you. You will have 48 hours from the closing date of this announcement 06/11/2026 to complete the assessment as this assessment is part of your application.
Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities for a Paralegal Specialist GS-0950-7/9/11 generally include, but are not limited to, the following:This position is responsible for work which is ancillary to the work of attorneys within the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), such as preparing for hearings before Congress, preparing for briefings, or assembling and arranging case files and documents. The incumbent will perform legal support services, such as the preparation, analysis and processing of legal documents, recommendation memorandum, statistical analysis, and legal research.
The duties listed above are generally written for one grade level. If the position is advertised at multiple grades, the duties will be adjusted in difficulty, complexity, and level of supervision, for higher or lower grades, as appropriate.
Salary : $57,736