Paralegal/Legal Assistant I

Job Title

Paralegal (Torts Branch, FTCA Section)

Position Overview

The Paralegal supports the Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Division, Torts Branch, Federal Tort Claims Act Litigation Section (FTCA) under the Mega 5 program. The position exists to provide critical litigation support services as the Torts Branch represents the United States, its officers, and agents in suits for monetary damages alleging negligent or wrongful acts, statutory compensation programs, and claims related to injury and damage to Government property. This onsite role is located at the DOJ 3CON Gallaudet facility in Washington, DC, involving claims tracking, settlement memorandum preparation, legal research, and database searches.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform intake and track hundreds to thousands of claims in any given matter.
• Enter claims filing information into an Excel tracking system.
• Proofread settlement memos for content and details in formatting.
• Respond to DOJ attorney requests for filing information and retrieval.
• Conduct simple to moderately complex database searches.
• Perform simple legal research.
• Assist DOJ attorneys in preparation for trials.

Required Qualifications

• Paralegal certificate, or JD, or currently attending an ABA-accredited law school, having completed at least one year of study.
• At least one year of litigation paralegal experience.
• At least one year of experience in automated litigation support.
• Sound working knowledge of federal and state court systems, legal research procedures, and legal research resources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Thorough knowledge of legal research tools such as LEXIS and Westlaw.
• Hands-on familiarity with a variety of computer applications, including word processing, databases (such as document review and file management systems), spreadsheets, imaging, and hardware systems.
• Hands-on familiarity with Electronically Stored Information (ESI) tools and knowledge of eDiscovery procedures and resources.
• Ability to consistently deliver the highest quality work under extreme pressure.
• Must be a US Citizen and able to obtain a Public Trust clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent proofreading skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Claims processing experience.
• Trial experience.
• Automated litigation support experience.
• Prior experience working in a Federal Government environment.

Technical Skills

• Legal Research Tools: LEXIS, Westlaw
• Software & Applications: Word processing, spreadsheets, imaging, databases (document review and file management systems), Excel tracking systems
• Discovery & ESI Tools: eDiscovery procedures, ESI tools

Education & Certifications

• Required: Paralegal certificate, or JD, or currently attending an ABA-accredited law school (with at least one year of completed study).

Experience

• Required Experience: Minimum of 1 year of litigation paralegal experience and at least 1 year of experience in automated litigation support.

Work Environment / Position Details

• Location: Department of Justice 3CON, 175 N St. NE, Washington, DC 20002.
• Work Arrangement: On-site position; remote work is not an option. Only individuals in the Washington DC metro area will be considered.
• Employment Type: Full-time (Time and Materials / Labor Hour rate contract).
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day, performed between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM ET. Staff must be available via MS Teams and phone calls during core shift hours.
• Overtime: Occasional overtime may be necessary for time-sensitive projects, subject to prior approval from the DOJ COR and Leidos.
• Period of Performance: Estimated start date of October 5, 2026, through May 31, 2027 (with options to extend).

Compensation & Benefits

• Wage Determination: WD (2015-4281 rev 34 July 8, 2025). (Note: Table revision subject to change once the DOJ Contracting Officer modifies the Mega 5 Contract).
• Additional Benefits: [Information Not Provided]

Additional Requirements

• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen.
• Residency Requirement: Must have resided in the United States, worked for the United States in a foreign country in a Federal or military capacity, and/or been a dependent of a Federal or military employee in a foreign country for 3 of the last 5 years (does not need to be consecutive).
• Security & Background Screening: Must pass a Mega 5 prescreening process (including a soft credit check and completion of a screening form) and obtain a Public Trust clearance