Clarification from the agency

Open to any U.S. Citizen who is a current student enrolled at least part time in a law (J.D.) program at an American Bar Association accredited law school, who have completed at least two full year of law school by the beginning of the internship. Joint-Degree students who are simultaneously completing a J.D. degree and a graduate degree (whether an LL.M or non-legal graduate degree) may also apply.

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Summer Legal Interns will perform legal research, draft briefs, and write legal memoranda. OCIG offers substantive legal work that gives interns experience in health care fraud and abuse and an opportunity to demonstrate their writing, analytical, and advocacy skills. Assignments may include drafting briefs for submission in administrative proceedings, assisting attorneys evaluating instances of fraud that are self-disclosed to the OIG, researching HHS program regulations in support of an audit, report, assisting attorneys to review documents submitted by entities under a Corporate Integrity Agreement, or performing legal research on topics related to health care fraud and abuse including the Anti-Kickback Law, the Stark Law, exclusions law, and EMTALA. OCIG will strive to give Legal Interns an opportunity to work with many of OCIG's five branches: the Administrative and Civil Remedies Branch, the Industry Guidance Branch, the Advice Branch, the Affirmative Litigation Branch, and the Exclusions Branch. Assignments are developmental and recurring in nature including functions such as the following at the GS-9 grade level:

• Perform a variety of activities under the supervision of OCIG attorneys related to providing legal assistance for functions carried out by OCIG, which primarily include researching and writing on health law and health care topics.
• Assist in the review of case materials, including court records, medical records, and other documents related to health care, to identify the relevant factual and legal issues necessary to prepare legal documents, including pleadings and legal memoranda.
• Assist attorneys in preparing documents to be filed with various courts and administrative bodies. Assist attorneys in the research of legal concepts related to health care or health law, apply facts of a case to relevant law, and prepare written memoranda that summarize the research. Research OCIG's prepared legal materials, Federal court decisions, legislative histories, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regulations and departmental program materials, and other similar materials.
• Assist attorneys in the preparation of legal memoranda related to health care or health law, letters, and other legal documents and ensure that legal documents prepared are in the correct format and contain required exhibits, attachments, and other necessary materials.

Conditions of employment

• U.S Citizenship is required.
• Registration with the Selective Service (if applicable).
• Suitability for Federal employment determined by background investigation.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Must sign a Pathways Program Participant Agreement
• THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 14043 MANDATING COVID-19 VACCINATION FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
• Must be able to work full-time for the duration of the program.

Qualifications

You must meet the requirements of the job by 11:59 (Eastern Standard Time) of the closing date: 02/03/2022

Vaccination Mandate:

• In accordance with 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 exceptions that may be required by law. If selected, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination before your entrance on duty. Your HR Consultant will provide a list of documents acceptable as proof of vaccination and instructions for how to submit a request for a legally required exception, if needed, to comply with vaccination requirement.

Expanded/Maximum telework Posture:

• Due to COVID-19, the agency is currently in a maximum telework posture. If selected, you may be expected to telework upon your appointment. As employees are permitted to return to the office, you may be required to report to the duty station listed on this announcement, even if your home/temporary telework site is located outside the local commuting area. Your position may be eligible for workplace flexibilities which may include remote work or telework options, and/or flexible work scheduling. These flexibilities may be requested in accordance with the HHS Workplace Flexibilities policy.

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements, including education, and any selective placement factors described below within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Education used as part of an application package will only be considered if complete transcripts are submitted and must be from an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To see if your institution is accredited, please follow this link: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx

These positions are for current students enrolled at least part-time in a law (J.D.) program at an American Bar Association accredited law school, who have completed at least two full years of law school by the beginning of the internship. Joint-Degree students who are simultaneously completing a J.D. degree and a graduate degree (whether an LL.M or non-legal graduate degree) may also apply.

This is an excepted service appointment under the OIG Internship Program and will not exceed September 30, 2022. This appointment does not allow for non-competitive conversion to a term or permanent appointment in the federal service.

Positive Education Requirement: This position has a position education requirement, as indicated below. A complete transcript showing relevant coursework and degrees must be submitted with your application package. A list of completed courses or incomplete transcripts will not be accepted.

Internship Eligibility Requirements:

• Current students enrolled in a law (J.D.) program at an American Bar Association accredited law school enrolled at least part-time, who have completed at least two full years of law school by the beginning of the internship. Current, joint-degree students who are simultaneously completing a J.D. degree and a graduate degree, who have completed at two full years of law school.
• Students must be in good academic standing as defined by the academic institution you are attending.

Minimum Qualifications: To qualify for the GS-09 grade level, the applicant must have 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

Note: 18 semester hours is equivalent to 1 year of graduate education.

If you fail to submit sufficient academic documentation necessary to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, you will be deemed ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume should include the dates of all qualifying experience (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours worked/volunteered per week.

How you will be evaluated

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

Your application will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your education (if applicable), experience, and training that is relevant to the duties of this position. If you are found minimally qualified for the job, your application package will be further evaluated to determine your possession of the critical knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics of this announcement. Applicants found to be among the top candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.

You will not be considered for the position if any part of the application or supporting documentation is not received by the closing date of this announcement.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11359539

Selections may be made for vacancies across the entire Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). By applying, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more HHS hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.