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Lead Paralegal Specialist

Federal Trade Commission
Bureau of Competition/ Honors Paralegal Division

Summary

If you are seeking an opportunity to become familiar with the legal and economic methodologies used by attorneys at the Federal Trade Commission during the course of various investigations and litigation, and want to play an integral role in a dynamic organization, then consider joining the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition!

For more information, please visit:

Bureau of Competition | Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 08/04/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 4, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$85,447 - $111,087 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Promotion potential
11
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Competitive Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate 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
MP-13001853-26-BC-HPD
Control number
877477500

Duties

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If you are selected for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position, your responsibilities may include some or all of the following:

  • Performing preliminary screening of substantive material, prior to review by attorneys, separating the material into categories of importance.
  • Coordinating and leading training on deposition scheduling and exhibit preparation processes.
  • Coordinating and lead training on the utilization of key agency applications and software's the Bureau uses, including Westlaw, LexisNexis, CaseMap, TextMap, Kiteworks, Relativity, TrialDirector, and PACER.
  • Reviewing and analyzing numerous case-related documents, often identifying key evidence cited in memoranda and used during investigational hearings, depositions, and/or trial.
  • Managing deposition preparation and scheduling, including oversight of logistics coordination with vendors, and preparing paper and deposition exhibits.
  • Digesting transcripts of testimony from investigational hearings and/or depositions, summarizing testimony for attorneys.
  • Drafting interview reports, declarations, notices, stipulations, and other routine orders on behalf of attorneys.
  • Assisting attorneys by drafting case decisions, summarizing significant findings of fact and conclusions of law.
  • Organizing, maintaining, and tracking evidentiary materials using platforms such as Relativity, CaseMap, TextMap, and other database systems.
  • Supporting the progression of cases from investigation through litigation, while providing leadership to the BC Honors Paralegal team on a variety of case-related tasks.
  • Providing direct support for trial preparation and proceedings in large, complex, federal civil and administrative trials, including organizing exhibits, coordinating logistics, and preparing materials.
  • Assisting attorneys during court proceedings, traveling to trial site and investigational hearings when needed.
  • Monitoring court docket entries and litigation schedules to facilitate filings, including complex filings under seal with multiple exhibits.
  • Interpreting and applying local rules and judges' standing orders in various federal jurisdictions to ensure compliance in filings and submissions.
  • Prepare, format, and file federal district court and administrative court documents-including motions, exhibits, briefs, and tables of contents/authorities-ensuring all materials meet electronic filing requirements.
  • Utilizing TrialDirector software when appropriate for moots and/or trial proceedings to organize, manage, and present exhibits and demonstratives.
  • Serve as team lead by guiding Honors Paralegals, overseeing work quality and deadlines, coaching on problem-solving, and ensuring adherence to legal and procedural standards.
  • Maintaining, updating, and disseminating policies, procedures, and written guidance from the supervisor, responding to team questions and ensuring alignment with current directives.
  • Monitoring and reporting the status and progress of team work to supervisors and attorneys, reviewing in-progress and completed tasks for accuracy, priority alignment, and quality.
  • Providing ongoing paralegal training through one-on-one coaching, brown-bag sessions, and technical instructions on key software tools (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis, CaseMap, TextMap, Kiteworks, Relativity, TrialDirector, PACER) and professional development.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. citizenship requirement must be met by the closing date of this vacancy.
  • This position is subject to a background investigation.
  • Males born after December 31, 1959 must register with Selective Service.
  • The position may be subject to completion of a one-year probationary period. Probationary periods are an extension of the hiring process.
  • If selected for this position, the agency will evaluate your fitness and whether continuation of employment advances the public interest before extending your appointment beyond the one-year probationary period.
  • You must meet time-in-grade requirement by the closing date of this vacancy.
  • You must submit a copy of your performance appraisal with your application.
  • This position is in the bargaining unit. This position is represented by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Local 2211.

Qualifications

To qualify for the Lead Paralegal Specialist position at the GS-11 level, you must meet the following requirements:

You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related;

OR

You must demonstrate in your resume at least one (1) year of qualifying experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector, performing the following types of tasks: assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support; assisting in directing a team of paralegals, evaluating resource allocations, and understanding the breadth of paralegal duties necessary to support investigations; assisting in developing and implementing plans for paralegal support on investigations and litigations.

OR


You have a combination of education and experience, which qualify you for this position.


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

If you qualify on the basis of education in lieu of experience, you must submit a copy of your transcripts. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.

If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications.

Additional information

Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA): To be eligible for a VEOA appointment under Merit Promotion procedures, you must be a preference eligible or a Veteran separated after 3 years or more of continuous active service performed under honorable conditions.

Career Transition Assistance Programs: These programs apply to employees who have been involuntarily separated from a Federal service position within the competitive service or Federal service employees whose positions have been deemed surplus or no longer needed. To receive selection priority for this position, you must: (1) meet Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) eligibility criteria; (2) be rated well-qualified for the position with a score of 87 or above; and, (3) submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP or ICTAP eligibility.
For more information visit: ICTAP/CTAP

Non-competitive Appointment Authorities:

For more information on non-competitive appointment authority eligibility requirements:
- Persons with Disabilities-Schedule A
- Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans
- Special Hiring Authority for Certain Military Spouses
- Other Special Appointment Authorities

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.

Once the announcement has closed, your resume and supporting documentation will be used to determine if you meet the qualifications listed on this announcement. If you are found qualified, your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses on the assessment questionnaire to determine your level of experience. If you rate yourself higher than is supported by your application package, you may be excluded from consideration for this position. If you are found to be among the top qualified candidates, you will be referred to the selecting official for employment consideration.

Performance Appraisals: In the evaluation process, due weight will be given to job related experience, education, training, incentive awards and performance appraisals. Applicants must have a performance rating of at least the equivalent of fully successful to be eligible for promotion or placement. Applicants may provide a copy of a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months. If the applicant is unable to provide a performance appraisal of record dated within the last 18 months, the applicant may provide a written explanation as to why.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics):



Knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methods of legal research and reference sources sufficient to perform extensive research on particular legal issues.
Skill in Litigation Support.
Knowledge of rules, laws, regulations and relevant court decisions and administrative practices that apply to antitrust are required to perform analysis of legal impact on legislative development and administrative and judicial decisions, opinions, and rulings on agency programs.
Skill in Written and Oral Communication.
Ability to lead, guide, and motivate a diverse group towards goal accomplishment.
Ability to train team members in the development of these skills.

Federal Trade Commission

If you're interested in being part of an innovative and dynamic team that is dedicated to advancing consumer interests while fostering innovation and competition in our economy, consider joining the FTC!

To learn more information about the FTC please visit https://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc.

The Bureau of Competition's (BC) Honors Paralegal Division attracts motivated and dedicated individuals from across the country. Honors Paralegals work on both merger and conduct-related investigations with staff attorneys and economists across the Bureau and have the opportunity to work on a case from the initial stages of an investigation through litigation in federal and administrative courts. The Bureau of Competition considers its Honors Paralegal Division an unequivocal success, enabling it to allocate resources more broadly and efficiently. Many distinguished Honors Paralegal alumni describe their time in the division as a valuable and rewarding opportunity to deepen their understanding of law, economics, and public policy.

Agency contact information

Corey Pickeral
Phone
202-326-3002
Email
cpickeral@ftc.gov
Address
Federal Trade Commission
600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Suite H-723
Washington, DC 20580
US

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