What are the responsibilities and job description for the Paralegal - Office of the Inspector General (OIG) position at WSSC Water?
The Paralegal – Office of the Inspector General (OIG) performs a multitude of paraprofessional legal work under the direction of the Inspector General and Assistant Inspector General of Investigations/Counsel to the OIG.
This role performs specifically delegated substantive legal work and various tasks that are associated with the support of audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations involving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, conflicts of interest, procurement irregularities, and regulatory noncompliance, and other legal assignments necessary to carry out the OIG’s independent oversight mission.
This role performs specifically delegated substantive legal work and various tasks that are associated with the support of audits, investigations, inspections, and evaluations involving allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, conflicts of interest, procurement irregularities, and regulatory noncompliance, and other legal assignments necessary to carry out the OIG’s independent oversight mission.
Essential Functions
- Coordinate the receipt, documentation, and initial assessment of fraud, waste, and abuse and/or whistleblower complaints submitted to the OIG, ensuring timely, accurate, and appropriate handling in accordance with established procedures
- Identify matters outside the OIG’s jurisdiction and appropriately refer complaints to external departments, external agencies or others, documenting referral actions and outcomes
- Conduct comprehensive legal research into the legislative history, statutory and regulatory frameworks, administrative decisions, case law, and legal opinions relevant to the OIG matters
- Develop and maintain subject-matter familiarity with assigned investigations and legal matters, including operational, technical, financial, and regulatory aspects necessary to support investigative analysis
- Perform complex and unique administrative work specific to investigative, audit, and oversight work within the OIG
- Schedule and coordinate meetings, interviews, and briefings, and assist counsel, auditors, and internal or external investigators by maintaining investigative calendars, timelines, and milestone tracking for OIG cases
- Draft and prepare investigative documents under supervision, including complaint summaries, correspondence, document requests, investigative plans, memoranda, subpoenas, reports, and closing summaries
- Prepare detailed legal research memoranda and analytical summaries under supervision to support investigative findings, legal sufficiency determinations, and recommendations
- Analyze evidence, data and large datasets to support investigative and audit findings
- Assist in investigative activities by gathering records, conducting background research, and participating in interviews of complainants, witnesses, and subject matter experts, as appropriate
- Organize, maintain, and safeguard extensive electronic and physical investigative case files, evidence, exhibits, and confidential materials in accordance with records retention, confidentiality, and chain-of-custody requirements
- Manage and maintain electronic case management systems and complaint databases, ensuring information is accurately entered, current, complete, and updated in a timely manner
- Monitors and provides updates on the status of complaints and investigations;
- Communicates with the Inspector General and Associate General Counsel II- OIG/ Assistant Inspector General regarding matters
- Assists in organizing exhibits, documents, coordinating witnesses, providing legal support as needed during a meeting, presentation, hearing, or other proceeding
- Develop and prepare presentation materials, including PowerPoint briefings, charts, timelines, and visual summaries, to support investigative findings, audit results, and OIG leadership briefings
- Request, compile, review, and produce records in response to Public Information Act (PIA) requests, subpoenas, and other lawful demands, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and disclosure requirements
- Maintain strict confidentiality and exercise discretion when handling sensitive, privileged, and protected information
- Drives a vehicle to conduct OIG business
Other Functions
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Environment And Physical Demands
Business casual office environment
Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Knowledge of legal principles and procedures and the ability to provide paraprofessional attorney support in investigative, audit, and oversight matters consistent with Inspector General standards
- Knowledge of legal research methods and procedures
- Ability to perform accurate, concise, and timely completion of assignments
- Proficient using Microsoft Office Suite and/or standard software applications typically used in a corporate office environment
- Possesses effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to prioritize and successfully manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to write clear concise reports, memoranda, directive, and letters
- Knowledge of the principals and methods of public administration
- Ability to perform in a professional and ethical manner at all times
- Demonstrated knowledge of conducting legal research using Westlaw or Lexis Nexis
- Demonstrated knowledge of attorney/client privilege and ability to hold sensitive matters in the strictest of confidence
- Comprehensive knowledge of the law, legal terminology, legal procedures, practices, legal research, and usage of law libraries
Minimum Education, Experience Requirements
- Associate’s degree in paralegal studies or completion of accredited paralegal program
- 3 years’ experience working as a paralegal in a law firm, government agency, or corporate law department
OR
- High school diploma or equivalent
- 5 years’ experience working as a paralegal in a law firm, government agency or corporate law department