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.

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; convert 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
• Retrieve electronic case files from secure government servers and manage document conversion workflows using Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Maintain confidentiality and proper handling of Privacy Act-protected records at all times
• Support other paralegal duties as assigned by the federal Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required - you must meet ONE of the following education or experience thresholds:

• Master's degree or equivalent graduate degree in a relevant field, OR
• Two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a qualifying degree, OR
• B. or J.D. (law degree), OR
• In lieu of graduate education: at least one (1) year of specialized experience that includes all of the following:
  • Conducting independent legal research across multiple forums and legal databases
  • Preparing, reviewing, and analyzing legal documents, briefings, and memoranda
  • Applying laws and regulations to factual records in an adjudicatory or legal context

Preferred experience and skills:

• Prior work in a federal agency, federal appellate body, administrative law setting, or Medicare/Medicaid appeals environment
• Experience with electronic case management or docketing systems (PACER, court e-filing systems, or agency-specific platforms)
• Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro for PDF creation, editing, conversion, and document assembly
• Familiarity with Privacy Act requirements and the handling of personally identifiable information (PII)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple active case files simultaneously under strict deadlines
• Existing federal PIV badge or prior NACI/Tier 1 investigation a significant advantage - accelerates your start date
• Excellent written communication; experience drafting correspondence in a legal or regulatory context

WORK ENVIRONMENT & SCHEDULE

This position is based at a federal government facility in Washington, DC. Certain tasks - including processing incoming mail, managing physical case files, and handling Privacy Act records - require regular onsite presence.

Standard hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, with flexibility as agreed with BlackFish management. The work environment is professional, collegial, and mission-driven. Contractor personnel work alongside federal staff but remain employees of BlackFish at all times.

WHY BLACKFISH

• Purposeful work supporting the federal government's appellate and benefits programs
• Competitive salary benchmarked to federal GS equivalency scales
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and paid leave
• Stable, multi-year program with long-term career development potential
• Collaborative culture that values precision, discretion, and professional growth
• Experienced leadership team with deep federal contracting expertise

Applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted for an initial screening interview. Please ensure your resume clearly reflects the education or specialized experience qualifications described above, as these are required for this position.