Paralegal Analyst

Role Overview

This role supports the U.S. Department of State’s Comptroller and Global Financial Services division, specifically the Debt Analysis and Review Team (CGFS/EFO/DART). The contractor will help analyze internal control matters, compliance issues, business process questions, and financial reporting coordination related to the Department’s corporate financial services and activities.

As a paralegal analyst on DART, the selected professional will handle administrative reviews, waiver evaluations, and Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG) hearings tied to requests from Department of State employees, both domestic and overseas, as well as U.S. civilians. The work includes drafting correspondence, decision letters, memorandums, and case summaries; summarizing financial information; performing technical writing; calculating financial figures; researching and interpreting regulations and policy; and briefing findings to the Office of the Legal Adviser’s Attorney Adviser.

Key Duties

• Manage assigned debt waiver, administrative review, and AWG matters according to team lead direction, workload, and individual skill level.
• Examine requests from debtors and investigate the underlying facts before reaching a decision.
• Reach out to Department of State offices and overseas posts by email, phone, or fax to request records, conduct interviews, and collect supporting evidence.
• Work with internal groups such as Locally Employed Staff Payroll, Domestic and Overseas Payroll, Accounts Receivable, and the Office of Claims to assemble needed information.
• Perform legal research using sources such as the U.S. Code, Code of Federal Regulations, OPM guidance, DSSR, FAM, FAH, and FEHB materials.
• Study and analyze Department of State processes involving personnel actions, pay and benefits, receivables, travel claims, retirement and annuity matters, consular services, and functions carried out by embassies and consulates abroad.
• Prepare and submit decision memorandums, decision letters, and case summaries using established wording and formatting for FSGB and outside hearing requests.
• Present statutory and regulatory standards, along with case facts, clearly enough for delegated decision-makers to act on them.
• Track and understand monthly key metric statistics for waiver and administrative review work and review those metrics with the team.

Required Background

The position calls for strong writing, research, and analytical ability, along with the judgment needed to handle sensitive review work. Prior legal or professional writing experience is important, and familiarity with financial data is valuable. Experience with Department of State systems is helpful but not mandatory.

Applicants must either have experience, professional certifications, or technical certification program credit that may substitute for formal education based on credit-hour equivalency. Senior-level background in management, budgeting, program analysis, procurement, personnel management, or inspection work involving foreign affairs operations is preferred, though not required.

A minimum Interim Secret security clearance is required, or the candidate must be able to qualify for Secret clearance.

Software and Tools

The role uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint, and Outlook, along with government and financial systems including GFMS, GFACS, RFMS-D, Employee Express, eOPF Authorized User Console, Treasury Cross-Servicing System, PCS Travel Claims Systems, E2 Solutions, and the CGFS Knowledge Base.

Schedule and Working Conditions

The position is fully on-site. The workday is an 8-hour shift scheduled sometime between 6:15 AM and 6:00 PM, and the shift includes an unpaid 45-minute lunch break. Extra hours may be needed and must be approved by the Project Manager and Department of State management.

Success Traits

The most effective employees in this role show strong reading comprehension, sharp analytical thinking, excellent writing, high attention to detail, the ability to learn complicated concepts quickly, and solid organizational skills.