Paralegal Specialist (DHHS)

ABOUT THE ROLE BlackFish is seeking experienced Paralegal Specialists to support a fast-paced federal legal and administrative program in Washington, DC. In this role, you will be embedded within a federal agency's appellate division, providing critical paralegal and case management support for a high-volume legal docket that directly affects Americans' access to federal benefits. This is meaningful work. The decisions processed through this program have real consequences for real people. We're looking for professionals who take that seriously - and who bring the precision, discretion, and organizational rigor it demands. This position is in support of a contract for which we are bidding. Any offer of employment will be contingent on contract award. -------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Position Paralegal Specialist Level Mid-Level (GS-9 Equivalent) Location Washington, DC - Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C St SW (Hybrid schedule) Hours Full-Time | 40 hours/week Start Date Late September 2026 Clearance Must be eligible for and obtain a federal PIV credential (Tier 1 / NACI background investigation). Prior clearance a strong plus. Compensation Competitive | Commensurate with experience | Full benefits -------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT YOU'LL DO Day-to-day responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Prepare certified administrative records for submission to U.S. Federal Court and U.S. District Court, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and proper chain of custody Conduct initial screening of appeal files within required processing windows, identifying jurisdictional issues, missing documentation, and case defects Docket new appeals and maintain case records in an electronic case filing and tracking system; and upload documents to case management platforms Cure case file defects by requesting missing Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) hearing files and decisions; upload received items on the day of receipt Prepare interim correspondence to correct case processing errors within required turnaround standards Process and log incoming appeals mail within two business days; prepare acknowledgment letters and update case tracking systems accordingly Distribute final decisions, orders, and letters to relevant parties in accordance with prescribed release instructions and timelines