Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. The OIG conducts investigations, audits, inspections, and evaluations, to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DOI programs and operations.
Summary
Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. The OIG conducts investigations, audits, inspections, and evaluations, to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency and to detect and prevent waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DOI programs and operations.
All qualified U.S. Citizens who are Students enrolled on at least a half-time basis, or accepted for enrollment, in an accredited law school and seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate through Spring 2022; have at least a cumulative (overall) 3.0 grade point average; and remain in good academic standing.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS VACANCY IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 100 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND WILL CLOSE AT
MIDNIGHT ON THE CLOSING DATE OR AT MIDNIGHT ON THE DAY WE RECEIVE THE 100TH APPLICATION,
WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
This position is with the Office of General Counsel located in Washington, D.C. This office is responsible for providing legal advice and services to the Inspector General regarding: audits, evaluations, inspections, and investigations of the DOI's programs, operations, and employee conduct; investigation of employee complaints; reports to Congress; representation of the OIG before administrative bodies; responding to information disclosure requests; and the government ethics program.
As the Student Trainee (Legal), you will specifically support a variety of legal functions within the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) team. Your normal duties will include:
Assisting OIG staff in reviewing FOIA requests
Processing FOIA requests by determining if OIG has responsive records and analyzing releasable documents
Researching and compiling facts and evidence in support of FOIA requests, administrative, and/or judicial hearings
Drafting letters, memoranda, and legal documents for review and approval by a senior attorney
Preparing reports outlining facts and legal issues involved
Conducting research, analyzing data, and communicating results
The incumbent of this position serves as an Intern under the Pathways Internship Program. This program is designed to provide students enrolled at educational institutions at all levels (high school to graduate level) with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore the benefits and conditions of Federal employment. Employment under this authority requires the execution of an Internship Program Participant Agreement that outlines work and academic responsibilities.
Upon successful completion of the Pathways Internship Program, the agency may non-competitively convert a Pathways Intern who is a U.S. Citizen to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive service, as long as the Intern meets the following: 1. U.S. Citizenship; 2. Successful completion of academic course of study, degree, diploma or certificate related to the position; 3. Completion of a minimum of 640 hours of work experience under the Internship Program; 4. Meet the OPM Qualification requirements for the position to which the intern may be converted; and 5. Maintain acceptable performance. If an intern is converted, the position may have a full-performance level of GS-13. If the Intern is not converted, the position will be terminated. This position is a temporary DOI OIG Internship position with a not to exceed (NTE) date of one year from the date of appointment; however, the appointment may be extended.
Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for the Selective Service
Position subject to pre-employment background check
Must be taking at least a half-time course load, as defined by the school
Academic Enrollment: You must be enrolled on at least a half-time basis, or accepted for enrollment, in an accredited law school and seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate (go to https://www.ed.gov/accreditation to verify accreditation status) at least through Spring 2022. Individuals who are enrolled must be taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree. "Half-time" is defined by the school in which the student is enrolled.
Good Academic Standing: Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative (overall) GPA.
Work Schedule: Strong preference will be given to qualified and eligible applicants who can work 30-40 hours per week.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Submission of transcripts is required to verify qualifications.
Appointments may be at the highest grade level for which the Intern is qualified. Interns may qualify as described below.
Minimum Qualification for the GS-07 level
Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.
Minimum Qualification for the GS-09 level
Completion of 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master's degree or equivalent degree leading to a L.L.B. or J.D
Education
You must be enrolled in an accredited law school and provide proof of enrollment.
All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions approved by the Department of Education. See https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the above requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.
Additional information
Must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.
Must be enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an accredited law school and seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate least through Spring 2022
Must be taking (at least) a half-time course load, as defined by the school.
Currently hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
If selected, must sign Student Pathways Program Agreement, provide proof of enrollment for the start of each academic term for the duration of the internship, and provide official transcript at the end of each academic term.
Must remain in good academic standing while in the program.
Additional selection may be made within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated for this job based on satisfaction of the Qualification and Eligibility requirements above.
Your resume and transcripts serve as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity. Applicants who are referred and meet minimum qualification and eligibility requirements may be required to submit a writing sample. All Pathways candidates must meet the qualification requirements consistent with the OPM qualification standards applicable to the position being filled. Veterans' preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with Part 302 of 5 CFR. Candidates will be assessed based solely on basic eligibility and minimum qualification requirements.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (required) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.
Transcripts and Proof of Enrollment (required) - Legible official or unofficial transcripts showing proof of enrollment are required to verify Pathways Internship Program eligibility and qualification requirements at the time of application. Ensure your transcripts include courses completed and latest cumulative GPA. Copies of degrees, certificates, and diplomas must be supplemented with official or unofficial transcripts. NOTE: An official transcript will be required prior to entrance on duty. Proof of enrollment will be required at the start of each academic term for the duration of the internship.
Foreign education equivalency documentation - Required if you have qualifying education completed outside of the United States.
Veteran's Preference Documentation -Include your DD-214 member 4 copy, SF-15, and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty and the date you are separating. Your separation date must be within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Other Documentation - If you are applying under a special hiring authority (e.g., 30% compensable disabled veterans, severely handicapped individuals, former Peace Corp and VISTA volunteers, etc.), you MUST indicate on your application the special program and submit proof of eligibility with your application. Individuals who are eligible for consideration will be considered non-competitively for this vacancy.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Please carefully read all instructions before you begin the application process.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the DOI OIG's Automated Application System.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following four-step application process:
STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Answer the eligibility questions on-line through the automated application system. These questions will be used to evaluate your student eligibility for this job opportunity.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation, applicable to you, listed in the Required Documents section of this job opportunity to the automated application system prior to the closing date of this announcement.
You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. However, you will not be able to make changes to questions related to assessing the minimum qualifications and competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics) mentioned in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. To make an allowed update to your application, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
ALTERNATE APPLICATION PROCEDURES NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement.
NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
1849 C St.
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/
After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume and transcripts to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.
Resume (required) - Your resume must sufficiently describe how your experience fully meets the specialized experience requirements as stated in this announcement for each grade level(s) you are applying (see "Qualifications" section). Your resume must also support your responses to the assessment questionnaire. Credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. We cannot assume you have performed the experience required for this position regardless of your employment history or academic career. We strongly recommend you use the USA Jobs online Resume Builder to submit a resume. If you choose to use your own formatted resume, you must ensure it contains all of the following for each experience/position listed: job title, name of employer, beginning and ending dates of employment (month/day/year format), hours worked per week, detailed description of duties performed, and if a Federal position, series and grade or equivalent. We will not access web pages linked on your resume to determine your qualifications. Do not include a photograph or video of yourself, or any sensitive information.
Transcripts and Proof of Enrollment (required) - Legible official or unofficial transcripts showing proof of enrollment are required to verify Pathways Internship Program eligibility and qualification requirements at the time of application. Ensure your transcripts include courses completed and latest cumulative GPA. Copies of degrees, certificates, and diplomas must be supplemented with official or unofficial transcripts. NOTE: An official transcript will be required prior to entrance on duty. Proof of enrollment will be required at the start of each academic term for the duration of the internship.
Foreign education equivalency documentation - Required if you have qualifying education completed outside of the United States.
Veteran's Preference Documentation -Include your DD-214 member 4 copy, SF-15, and VA letter (if applicable). If you are still on active duty, you may submit a statement of service from your unit which states the date you entered active duty and the date you are separating. Your separation date must be within 90 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Other Documentation - If you are applying under a special hiring authority (e.g., 30% compensable disabled veterans, severely handicapped individuals, former Peace Corp and VISTA volunteers, etc.), you MUST indicate on your application the special program and submit proof of eligibility with your application. Individuals who are eligible for consideration will be considered non-competitively for this vacancy.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
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.
Please carefully read all instructions before you begin the application process.
To apply for this job opportunity, you must submit a resume and an on-line application through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) application system, USAJOBS. This information will be transferred to the DOI OIG's Automated Application System.
You have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement to complete the following four-step application process:
STEP 1: Select the "Apply On-line" button and follow the instructions to register or sign into USAJOBS.
STEP 2: Submit a detailed resume or any other written format you choose documenting your job-related qualifications, experience, and education (if applicable). Cover letter is optional. If you submit a cover letter, you must also submit a resume. Please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section for specific information that should be outlined in your resume.
STEP 3: Answer the eligibility questions on-line through the automated application system. These questions will be used to evaluate your student eligibility for this job opportunity.
STEP 4: Submit all required documentation, applicable to you, listed in the Required Documents section of this job opportunity to the automated application system prior to the closing date of this announcement.
You may update your application documents and some questions related to your personal information at any time during the announcement open period. However, you will not be able to make changes to questions related to assessing the minimum qualifications and competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics) mentioned in the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section above. To make an allowed update to your application, return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
ALTERNATE APPLICATION PROCEDURES NOTE: If applying online poses an extreme hardship, you may request alternate application procedures to submit your application package by fax. Contact the Human Resources office listed on the announcement between the business hours of 8:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, at least two working days prior to the closing date of this announcement. The application package for alternate application procedures must be submitted and received in the Human Resources office no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date of this announcement.
NOTE: Paper applications and information sent by mail WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
1849 C St.
Washington, DC 20240
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/
After the closing date of the announcement, we will review your resume and transcripts to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. You will be notified of your rating and/or referral of your resume to the hiring official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. You will be informed of the outcome via e-mail. We expect to make a selection within 45 to 60 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
