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Student Trainee (Legal)

Department of Energy
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
This job announcement has closed

Summary

Are you seeking challenging assignments working for a dynamic agency while gaining real-world experience? We are looking for the best and brightest to help us shape the future of the energy industry. Come make a difference at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)!

Overview

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Reviewing applications
Open & closing dates
03/10/2021 to 03/24/2021
Salary
$60,129 to - $78,167 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 09
Location
few vacancies in the following location:
Washington, DC
FEW vacancies
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Temporary - Student Temporary Appointment NTE 09/30/2021
Work schedule
Full-time - Full time position in the excepted service- internship for the Summer of 2021.
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
09
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Announcement number
FERC-DE-2021-0044
Control number
594777600

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Duties

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We’re an independent agency that regulates the interstate transmission of electricity, natural gas and oil. Ranked number one in the Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, our team of engineers, scientists, analysts and attorneys work collaboratively to ensure that the industry delivers reliable, efficient and sustainable energy, impacting the daily lives of all Americans.

Our internship program provides students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in a federal agency while learning more about the energy industry and gaining exposure to the Commission’s work. Students have the opportunity to attend networking events, visits to regulated hydropower dams, seminars with career advice and tips and enjoy lunch with FERC’s top officials. Apply now for an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

This is a SUMMER 2021 internship position. To learn more about our Summer Intern Program and the activities involved, click here: FERC Summer Internships

To meet the definition of a student, applicants must be enrolled at least half-time in a degree-seeking program. 

Members of the Summer Intern program working in General & Administrative Law, under the direct supervision of staff attorneys, assist in performing legal research, drafting legal memos and pleadings concerning equal employment opportunity disputes and other employment disputes, contracts, investigations, document production including discovery, and other matters of general applicability. Members of the Summer Program also have a limited role in depositions, settlement conferences, and meetings with opposing counsel.

Working alongside our attorneys you will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects from litigation to fact-finding and research. Among other responsibilities, our attorneys resolve or litigate cases set for hearing and ensure the outcomes are consistent with legal requirements and the public’s interest. Overall, Summer Interns can expect a broad range of assignments ranging from such issues as freedom of expression in the work place to issues of first impression requiring creative and insightful legal analysis.  


**At time of application, applicant must submit proof of current enrollment in a degree-seeking program. If selected, applicant must provide proof of continuing education through either the Summer or Fall 2021 semesters.**

These positions are temporary, they may be converted to a full time, career-conditional position. Any conversions to full time  or career-conditional status is neither implied nor guaranteed.

More than one position may be filled for openings.

Major duties of the Student Intern (Legal): 

  • Perform legal research for authorities and precedent on a specific point law.
  • Draft legal memos and pleadings concerning EEO disputes, employment disputes, and other matters.
  • Conduct document production, including discovery, and perform other duties of general applicability.
  • Evaluate evidentiary record and other documents to support legal findings.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Background investigation will be conducted.
  • Applicant must submit Spring 2021 transcripts at time of application.
  • Must be enrolled in an accredited law degree program for and 3L.
  • Must be enrolled for the Summer and/or Fall 2021 Semester.
  • Must be a US citizen

List of Department of Education accredited institutions: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

**At time of application, applicant must submit proof of current enrollment in a degree-seeking program. If selected, applicant must provide proof of continuing education through either the Summer or Fall 2021 semesters.** 

You must be enrolled in an accredited law degree program on at least a half-time basis.

More than one selection for similar positions may be made from this announcement and the program office for that selection may vary. By applying, you agree to have your application shared with any interested selecting official(s).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). E-Verify helps employers determine employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

Candidates must have one full year of general experience at the lower grade level or equivalent education. General experience is described as progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.

To be eligible for internship positions:

You must be enrolled in an accredited law degree program as on a full time or at least a half-time basis.

Education

OPM Education Requirement: 

For the GS-09 position, you must be enrolled in an accredited law degree program and have completed at least two years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a J.D. degree.

Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/workrecog.doc. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.

Additional information

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FERC is currently operating in a 100% remote environment, which includes this position. Typically, this position is located at HQ in Washington, DC. When FERC’s operating status changes, this position will be expected to report to the office, as per FERC policy.

It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual’s employment experience will be used only to determine the person’s qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual’s personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination. Please use the following link for additional information: Mythbusters of Federal Hiring

How you will be evaluated

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

GS-9: Candidate must have 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a J.D.  

CANDIDATES MUST PROVIDE TRANSCRIPTS IN ORDER FOR COURSEWORK TO BE VERIFIED; FAILURE TO INCLUDE TRANSCRIPTS WILL RESULT IN CANDIDATES NOT BEING CONSIDERED; TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION.

*SELF-PREPARED TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

We will review your resume to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. Your resume must address the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the Qualifications Section. Your resume should clearly show possession of these competencies. The ideal candidate will possess the following:

  • Research
  • Written Communication
  • Legal, Government, and Jurisprudence

To preview questions please click here.

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