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Paralegal Specialist

Department of Defense
Defense Contract Audit Agency
DCAA-Headquarters

Summary

Reemployed annuitant: This vacancy does not meet the criteria for appointment of annuitants.

This job announcement uses the USA Hire Assessment to evaluate applicants. For more information, visit https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
05/15/2026 to 05/29/2026
Salary
$70,623 - $133,142 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9 - 12
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Fort Belvoir, VA
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
12
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DCAA-26-HQ-12960881
Control number
869499200

Duties

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  • Manages legal systems, ESI, case data, and metrics to support programs and knowledge management for attorneys and senior leaders, including the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel for Audit and Contract Litigation.
  • Conducts specialized research and analysis on complex issues, prepares summaries and recommendations, drafts documents, and supports attorneys or officials with written synopses and briefings.
  • Manages logistical matters and other support for depositions, teleconferences and trials, coordinating with other Federal, State and local agencies, attorneys, witnesses and experts, and briefing staff attorneys on issues.
  • Provides developmental paralegal support in contract, admin, or civil litigation: reviews case materials, develops facts, organizes documentation, and drafts litigation support products for attorney review.
  • Conducts extensive, specialized, independent legal research of legal materials laws, legislative history, cases and orders (direct or primary sources), judicial and administrative precedential decisions, Federal regulations, and manuals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Must be a U.S Citizen as verified through E-Verify Program

Drug Testing:
If you are given access to classified information, you will be subject to random drug testing. If you are selected for a special sensitive position, you will be placed in a drug testing designated position. You must pass a drug test before your assignment to such a position and you will be subject to random drug testing subsequent to your assignment.

Background Investigation: All selectees will be subject to a personnel security investigation which must be favorably adjudicated for occupancy of a sensitive position and/or access to classified information. If you are selected for a critical/special sensitive position, you will be subject to a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI). For a critical sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret level. For a special sensitive position, you must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance eligibility at the Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level AND you will be subject to a random counterintelligence scope polygraph.

Qualifications

You may qualify for consideration if meeting time-in grade, specialized experience, education requirement, 90 days after competitive appointment requirement, and all other qualification requirements within 30 calendar days after the closing date of the announcement, unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.

You must meet the minimum qualification requirements as stated in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Operating Manual, Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions, http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-prof.asp.

Specialized Experience:
GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-07 or equivalent level. Specialized experience must be documented in your resume. Specialized experience is defined as: conducting developmental legal research and analysis on recurring or moderately complex issues by researching legal materials such as statutes, regulations, and case law; OR Experience assisting with litigation support by reviewing case files, gathering factual information, organizing documentation, and preparing draft summaries for attorney review; OR providing support to a government legal or ethics program and assisting with legal operations management.

GS-11: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 or equivalent level. Specialized experience must be documented in your resume.Specialized experience is defined as: Assisting Paralegal, Legal Assistance, or Attorney positions in one or more of the following areas in support of legal and regulatory research; administrative or civil litigation or trial reports preparations; or contract law, fiscal law, administrative law, or ethics programs; or special projects related to administrative litigation or government ethics, personnel or contract matters.

GS-12: You must have one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 or equivalent level. Specialized experience must be documented in your resume.Specialized experience is defined as: Experience as a Paralegal, Legal Assistant, Legal Secretary, Administrative Clerk or Legal Technician in one or more of the following areas in support of legal and regulatory research; administrative or civil litigation or trial reports preparations; or contract law, fiscal law, administrative law, or ethics programs; or special projects related to administrative litigation or government ethics, personnel or contract matters.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Substitution of Education for Specialized Experience:

For the GS-9:
Two full years of progressively higher level graduate education, Master's or equivalent graduate degree, may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement.

For the GS-11 : Three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed higher-level graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 level.

If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply.
To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html).

Additional information

DCAA has a comprehensive benefits package that includes retirement, social security and thrift savings; health, life and long term care insurance; paid vacation, sick leave and holidays. DCAA employees enjoy our business-casual dress code, flexible work schedules, and transit subsidies.

Selective Service: Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see www.sss.gov).

Initial Probationary Period: Accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.

Additional Vacancies: This announcement may be used to fill additional positions within 120 days of the certificate issuance date.

Performance Appraisal: If you are a current Federal employee, you must be rated fully successful or higher on your current performance rating to be eligible for promotion. You may be asked to provide a copy of your performance appraisal during the evaluation and selection process.

Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP): You must be well qualified for the position to receive special selection priority under the ICTAP. A qualified ICTAP eligible achieving a score of 90 or above will be considered well qualified. You must submit a Separation-Reduction in Force (RIF) SF-50; a RIF Notice showing separation within the past year (or declining a management directed reassignment outside the commuting area, or a Termination of Disability Notice from OPM) and most recent performance appraisal. For more information, go to: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp#ictap.

Special Hiring Authorities: You may be considered for the vacancy if you are eligible for a special appointment authority such as those authorized for the severely disabled; certain Vietnam Era and disabled veterans; volunteers returned from the Peace Corps or Vista, etc. For more information, visit the following OPM websites: USAJOBS Resource Center: http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter; VetsInfo Guide: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA): Veterans who are preference eligibles or who have been separated from the Armed Forces under honorable conditions after substantially completing an initial 3-year term (not less than 2 years and 11 months) may apply regardless of their current geographical location. Veterans must submit their DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, to be considered under this authority.

  • Priority Placement Program (PPP) Military Spouse Preference (MSP) eligible candidates will receive priority consideration at the highest grade level for which they have applied and been determined best qualified up to and including the full performance level.
  • PPP Application Based Preference Eligibles (Military Reserve and National Guard technicians, Military Reserve and National Guard technicians receiving disability retirement, and Retained Grade employees) will receive priority consideration at the full performance level only.
All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.

This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will initially be reviewed to determine whether you meet the minimum eligibility and qualifications requirements. If you are qualified, you will then receive a numeric score based on the degree to which your background matches the knowledge, skills and abilities for the position listed below. If a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications, you will be assigned a rating commensurate with your background. Your final score will be used to determine if you are among the best qualified candidates.
Competencies:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Administrative Law
  • Technical Competence
  • Customer Service
  • Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence

The USA Hire Assessment includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review: https://appsupport.usastaffing.gov/hc/en-us/sections/28980686389652-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information.

Criminal History Inquiries- If you apply to this position and are selected, we will not ask about your criminal history before you receive a conditional job offer. If you believe you were asked about your criminal history improperly, contact the agency @ dcaa.belvoir.hq.mbx.ask-lmer@mail.mil

Defense Contract Audit Agency

Are you looking for an employee-friendly work environment, challenging assignments, specialized training and generous benefits? At DCAA you'll find all this in a progressive organization dedicated to continuous improvement. DCAA is ranked in the top third of the "Best Places to Work in the Federal Government." Join the elite cadre of professionals who have made DCAA their employer of choice. You will be providing a unique service to your country and making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere!

Agency contact information

HR Customer Care Center
Phone
(317) 212-0454
Email
dfas.indianapolis-in.zh.mbx.dfasmeritcc@mail.mil
Address
DCAA - HEADQUARTERS
8725 John J. Kingman Road
Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Defense Contract Audit Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

http://www.dcaa.mil

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