USAJOBS connects job seekers with federal jobs across the United States and around the world as the official employment site for the federal government

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Students

Current students enrolled in an accredited high school, college or graduate institution.

Clarification from the agency

Any United States Citizen/Naturalized U.S. Citizen who is enrolled at least as a half-time student and in good academic standing with an accredited law school.

Duties

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If selected for this internship, your typical work assignments will include performing research projects and assisting in trial preparation. It is likely that interns will work on an appellate briefs. Interns will be assigned projects from both the Civil and Criminal Divisions. Interns will work with several different Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) over the course of the internship. Through research projects and interaction with the AUSAs, interns will be introduced to the federal system and receive an introduction to federal procedures in both the civil and criminal settings. Interns are encouraged to attend court with the AUSAs during the internship and watch court proceedings. In limited instances, interns may be allowed to represent the government in hearings before the various federal courts. Each Branch Office of the USAO for the Northern District of Indiana is located in a federal courthouse. This enables the interns to meet Judges, their clerks and network among federal officials. Our goal is to introduce our interns to the federal legal system, to develop their legal skills and, above all, to enjoy their internship.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

You must be a United States Citizen or National.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
You must be enrolled at least as a half-time student and in good academic standing with an accredited law school.
You must be able to work at least 10 hours per week for duration of internship (at least 135 hours spread over the entire semester).
You must be able to pass a background investigation that will cover employment history, criminal history, credit history, foreign travel, residency, citizenship, and drug/alcohol use; and you must be able to pass a drug test.
Residency Requirement: For a total of three years (not necessarily consecutive years) of the past five years immediately prior to applying for a position.
Outside Employment Restriction: Interns are not permitted to work in a legal capacity - private or public- throughout the duration of the internship.
Telework Eligibility: While this position has been identified as being eligible for telework, an intern?s eligibility to telework will be at the agency?s discretion in accordance with established policies.
You must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccine, subject only to such exceptions as required by law.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Qualifications

Students must have completed at least one full semester with an accredited law school at the beginning of the current academic term. Preference will be given to second and third-year law students.

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov.

Additional information

Residency Requirement: For a total of three years (not necessarily consecutive years) of the past five years immediately prior to applying for a position, the applicant must have: 1) resided in the United States; 2) worked for the U.S. overseas in a federal or military capacity, or 3) been a dependent of a federal or military employee serving oversees. The Residency Requirement ensures an adequate background investigation can be completed.

Compensation: This internship is not compensated. No matching contributions available. Work-study or academic credit may be available through a student's law school. Students must make arrangements through his/her law school. Any relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Benefits: A Benefits Package is not authorized for this position.

Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement: Federal Agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities, where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement: The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment or onboarding with the agency, if after November 22. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

Due to COVID-19, if selected, you may be expected to telework for an undefined period under the Department's evacuation authority, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Employees in this status may be notified of a requirement to report in person to the component workplace with an advance notice of not less than 30 days. Prior to a requirement to report to the workplace, employees may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days a pay period depending upon the terms of the office's telework policy.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Complete applications will be reviewed by a panel of Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs). Candidates will be reviewed for demonstrated superior academic achievement and the quality of submitted writing samples. Candidates determined to be best qualified will be referred for an interview.

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes the following required documentation:

Online Application Questionnaire - This is completed automatically during the apply online process.
Cover Letter - Should include a personal statement reflecting your background and your interest in participating in this program.
Resume - Please include employment history, dates of employment (MM/DDDD), education history, volunteer activities, and awards/achievements (scholastic/professional).
Legal Writing Sample - Should be no longer than 25 pages.
Unofficial Law school transcripts - Should clearly show the name of the academic institution, grades for completed coursework, cumulative GPA, and current academic standing. In addition, first year law students should include any undergraduate transcripts.
If applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation - See Required Veterans' Preference Documentation below. Please note, if you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming in your application, check the appropriate box in the assessment questionnaire to indicate your preference, and submit the required documentation as specified below.

Required Veterans' Preference Documentation:
-In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member you must submit a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates: 1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and all the required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Help

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)

3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11273276

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online, contact USAINN HR at USAINN.HR@usdoj.gov or 219-937-5500 as soon as possible to arrange an alternative application process.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/12/2021 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your proof of submission in the event verification is needed.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Agency contact information

USAINN HR

Phone: 219-937-5500
Fax: 219-852-2770
Email: USAINN.HR@usdoj.gov

Address: Northern District of Indiana
5400 Federal Plaza
Hammond, IN 46320
US

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation, to include a credit check, and drug test by urinalysis. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.

Application Status Updates: Please visit www.usajobs.gov to view the status of your application. You will receive email updates as your application progresses through each step of the process. Please do NOT contact our office for the status of your application.

Required Documents

Help

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package, which includes the following required documentation:

Online Application Questionnaire - This is completed automatically during the apply online process.
Cover Letter - Should include a personal statement reflecting your background and your interest in participating in this program.
Resume - Please include employment history, dates of employment (MM/DDDD), education history, volunteer activities, and awards/achievements (scholastic/professional).
Legal Writing Sample - Should be no longer than 25 pages.
Unofficial Law school transcripts - Should clearly show the name of the academic institution, grades for completed coursework, cumulative GPA, and current academic standing. In addition, first year law students should include any undergraduate transcripts.
If applicable: Veterans' Preference documentation - See Required Veterans' Preference Documentation below. Please note, if you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming in your application, check the appropriate box in the assessment questionnaire to indicate your preference, and submit the required documentation as specified below.

Required Veterans' Preference Documentation:
-In order to verify your Veterans' Preference entitlement, you must submit a copy of the Member Copy 4 of your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); or if you are a current Active Duty member you must submit a certification on appropriate military branch letterhead that indicates: 1) your service dates, 2) expected discharge or release date from active duty with a release/discharge date no later than 120 days from the closing date of this announcement, and 3) the character of service (e.g., Honorable); or other official documentation (e.g., documentation of receipt of a campaign badge or expeditionary medal) that shows your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
In addition, if you are a disabled veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, or widow/widower if a veteran, the spouse of a disabled veteran or the parent of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference" dated October 2013 and all the required documentation identified on the reverse side of the SF-15 to support your preference claim.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)

3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11273276

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online, contact USAINN HR at USAINN.HR@usdoj.gov or 219-937-5500 as soon as possible to arrange an alternative application process.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 11/12/2021 to receive consideration. Keep a copy of your proof of submission in the event verification is needed.

Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Agency contact information

USAINN HR

Phone: 219-937-5500
Fax: 219-852-2770
Email: USAINN.HR@usdoj.gov

Address: Northern District of Indiana
5400 Federal Plaza
Hammond, IN 46320
US

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation, to include a credit check, and drug test by urinalysis. We expect to make a final job offer within 80 days after the closing date of the announcement.

Application Status Updates: Please visit www.usajobs.gov to view the status of your application. You will receive email updates as your application progresses through each step of the process. Please do NOT contact our office for the status of your application.