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Paralegal Specialist/Senior Paralegal Specialist (Information Services)

Federal Housing Finance Agency
Office of General Counsel (OGC)

Summary

This position is for a Paralegal Specialist/Senior Paralegal Specialist (Information Services) in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). In this role, the incumbent will provide expert and comprehensive legal support to various offices/divisions within FHFA.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted yesterday · Apply by 06/09/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 9, 2026
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$111,677 - $215,054 per year
Pay scale & grade
EL 12 - 13
Promotion potential
13
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
OGC-26-04
Control number
871435100

Duties

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Office of General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal advice and representation to every office in FHFA regarding all aspects of FHFA's activities and operations.

Position Overview

The Paralegal Specialist/Senior Paralegal Specialist provides expert and comprehensive legal support to the General Counsel, OGC attorneys and professional staff, and other FHFA Divisions and Offices, specifically focused on information services such as electronic discovery (eDiscovery), FOIA, privacy, records, and compliance.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

The Paralegal Specialist/Senior Paralegal Specialist (Information Services) duties listed below are at the EL-13 grade level. Depending on the grade level selected, the incumbent will perform the following duties with varying levels of supervision and difficulty:

  • Provide comprehensive and authoritative technical and administrative support to the Information Governance Team within the Operations Branch.
  • Support FHFA's eDiscovery program in coordination with attorney staff, the Managing Associate General Counsel, Operations, and the Deputy General Counsel, Operations.
  • Develop and implement standard operating procedures relative to the eDiscovery program and make recommendations for improvements and refinements to procedures, as appropriate.
  • Serve as liaison with other Divisions and Offices within FHFA, responding to routine, complex, and sensitive eDiscovery requests, including internal misconduct investigations, Office of Inspector General (OIG) requests, Congressional requests, and requests related to external litigation.
  • Engage with managers, the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM), the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), and personnel attorneys, as appropriate, with respect to eDiscovery searches.
  • Support the legal hold process, including the distribution of preservation notices to Agency custodians, identification of relevant data sources, and coordination with OCIO to enable preservation in place of potentially relevant data.
  • Give authoritative advice and guidance to agency personnel on issues related to the processing and fulfilling of records, eDiscovery, and FOIA requests, and other related information governance issues.
  • Provide operational support to the FOIA Program with case management utilizing FOIA tools, including case intake, drafting and editing correspondence, monitoring statutory deadlines, managing backlogs, and generating accurate status reports.
  • Initiate actions to assist the Operations Branch with Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) compliance, coordinating with program offices to submit information collection requests for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
  • Provide main support to the Operations Branch in responding to internal and external audits (e.g., FHFA OIG, Government Accountability Office (GAO)) and in preparing annual and ad-hoc reports, including maintaining, gathering, and producing relevant information and records.
  • Review and analyze Executive Orders, OMB memoranda, and other Federal guidance documents to determine their impact on Agency operations, including monitoring the Federal Register and other official channels for updated regulatory guidance.
  • Serve as a Federal Register liaison, coordinating publication of FHFA systems-of-records notices, PRA notices, regulations, and other notices in the Federal Register.
  • Perform complex and comprehensive legal research and technical duties in support of FHFA program matters.
  • Conduct extensive and thorough research into relevant statutes, regulations, case law, and government-wide guidance.
  • Perform legal research by utilizing a wide variety of electronic and hardcopy resources including electronic search engines and resources on the internet.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Status Candidates (Merit Promotion and VEOA Eligibles) and those eligible for other hiring authorities.
  • An SF-50 is required with the exception of current FHFA employees. Please include one showing your tenure and competitive status. You must provide an SF-50 that indicates your competitive eligibility. You will not be considered without this.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
  • Status candidates must meet time-in-grade requirements (52 weeks at the next lower grade level).
  • Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by background investigation.
  • Resume and supporting documents (See How To Apply).
  • FHFA participates in e-Verify. All New hires must complete the I-9 Employment Verification form either on or before their first day of employment. If a discrepancy arises, you must take affirmative steps to resolve the matter.
  • Bargaining Unit Status: Ineligible.
  • This is NOT a remote position; you MUST live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location.
  • If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.

Qualifications

You may qualify for your desired series and grade level if you meet the following qualification requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualification EL-12: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-12 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-11 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with one or more of the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:

  • Coordinating the development, tracking, and execution of eDiscovery operations; AND/OR
  • Supporting an information governance program such as a FOIA or Privacy program, for an agency or organization; AND/OR
  • Conducting legal research in support of legal matters related to internal agency operations; AND/OR
  • Drafting, editing, and finalizing technical and legal documentation related to information governance, such as for eDiscovery, Litigation Holds, FOIA, Privacy, or the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Minimum Qualification EL-13: Applicants must have 52 weeks (one-year) of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as described below.

Experience: I qualify for the EL/GS-13 because I have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience at the EL/GS-12 or equivalent demonstrating work experience with one or more of the statements described below.

Examples of specialized experience include:
  • Supporting programs in two of the following subject matter areas: FOIA; Privacy; Litigation Holds; or Paperwork Reduction Act; AND/OR
  • Providing oversight of the development, tracking, and execution of eDiscovery operations; AND/OR
  • Conducting legal research in support of legal matters related to internal agency operations; AND/OR
  • Drafting, editing, and finalizing technical and legal documentation related to information governance, such as for eDiscovery, Litigation Holds, FOIA, Privacy, or the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Time-In-Grade: Current or former Federal government employees who have held an EL/GS position in the preceding 52 weeks, must meet the time-in-grade requirement.
  • To be eligible for the EL-12 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-11 or higher in the Federal Service.
  • To be eligible for the EL-13 position, applicants must have served 52 weeks as an EL/GS-12 or higher in the Federal Service.

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 directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

An Overview of FHFA's Benefits provides a summary of benefits for the current fiscal year.

If you are a veteran with preference eligibility and are claiming 5-points veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 or other proof of eligibility. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, you must also submit an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form. For more information on veterans' preference visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Veterans.

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

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to Federal employees who have been involuntarily separated or whose positions are surplus. To receive selection priority, you must: (1) meet CTAP/ICTAP eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified with a score of 90 or above; and (3) submit required documentation. For more information, visit: For more information visit: http://www.opm.gov/rif/employee_guides/career_transition.asp.

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 the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: FHFA provides accommodations to applicants with disabilities unless it would create an undue hardship. To request an accommodation, contact reasonableaccommodations@fhfa.gov. All requests are reviewed case by case.

Ethics: FHFA employees are subject to government-wide ethical standards of conduct, financial disclosure requirements, and post-employment prohibitions. In addition, certain FHFA employees are prohibited from accepting compensation from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a two-year period after terminating employment with FHFA. Furthermore, to avoid financial conflicts-of interest or the appearance of conflicts-of-interest, FHFA employees may need to divest or sell certain assets they, their spouse, or minor children own or control, including securities issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Home Loan Banks. Employees who work on Federal Home Loan Bank issues may need to sell or divest financial interests with any of the Federal Home Loan Bank members, which may include stock in bank holding companies, insurance companies, and other financial services firms. Questions regarding these requirements and prohibitions should be directed to the Office of General Counsel at (202) 649-3088.

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.

You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.

You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):

  • Attention to Detail
  • Customer Service
  • Decision Making
  • Flexibility
  • Integrity/Honesty
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Learning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Reasoning
  • Self-Management
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Teamwork


Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.

We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12969554

All of the information you provide will be verified by a review of the work experience and/or education as shown on your application forms, by checking references or through other means, such as the interview process. This verification could occur at any stage of the application process. Any exaggeration of your experience, false statements, or attempts to conceal information may be grounds for rating you ineligible.

In accordance with the Fair Chance Act, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) may not request, in oral or written form, that an applicant for an appointment to (FHFA) disclose criminal history record information before the appointing authority extends a tentative offer to the applicant. Allegations of FHFA violations of this Act may be submitted to fairchanceactcomplaints@fhfa.gov or to Fair Chance Act Complaints, Office of Human Resources Management, Employee Relations Branch, FHFA 400 7th Street, SW Washington DC 20219 within 30 days from the agency employee's alleged non-compliance with the law.

Federal Housing Finance Agency

Join U.S. Federal Housing and Make a Difference!

At U.S. Federal Housing, we are driven by a deep commitment to public service and the belief that everyone deserves access to safe, sustainable, and affordable housing. Our mission is to ensure that the housing government-sponsored enterprises - Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks - operate in a safe and sound manner so they can serve as a reliable source of liquidity and funding for housing finance and community investment across the nation.

When you join U.S. Federal Housing, you become part of a team that plays a critical role in building a stronger, more efficient housing finance system. You'll contribute to work that directly impacts millions of Americans - advancing homeownership and supporting communities.

U.S. Federal Housing fosters a high-performing workplace where every employee is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We proudly uphold our core values, and we recognize the dedication of our workforce through a culture of excellence, collaboration, and service.

Bring your talent to U.S. Federal Housing and be part of something bigger - protecting the American dream of home ownership.

Agency contact information

Ryan Stanger
Phone
771-233-7320
Email
ryan.stanger@fhfa.gov
Address
FEDERAL HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY
400 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20219
US

Visit our careers page

Learn more about what it's like to work at Federal Housing Finance Agency, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency offers.

https://www.fhfa.gov/about/careers

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