2026 Spring Internship - Clerk's Office Job in District of Columbia, DC

Vacancy No. SCOTUS-12798739-CL Department Supreme Court of the United States
Salary $22.19 to $22.19 Grade 5 to 5
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/12/2025 Close Date 9/26/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
District of Columbia, DC


Summary

This is a full-time position with the Clerk's Office at the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C.

Closing Date: Friday, 09/26/2025, 11:59 PM EDT

Please note that this vacancy has a limit of 200 applicants. The job opportunity announcement will automatically close if that limit is reached prior to the closing date.

Duties

This is an internship position with the Clerk's Office of the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington D.C. Interns in the Clerk's Office provide assistance in responding to case-related inquiries from attorneys and litigants, both in-person and on the telephone. They also assist the full-time Clerk's Office employees with a wide variety of tasks, including the processing and maintenance of Court filings and records.

Interns have responsibilities wholly distinct from the case work of the Supreme Court and do not work directly with the Justices or on cases pending before the Court. Interns will perform administrative support duties, such as answering phones, filing, and responding to inquiries from members of the public.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Meet Experience Requirements (see Qualifications)
  • Employment is subject to successful completion of a security background check.
  • 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

Qualifications

The Program is competitive and draws interns from a highly qualified applicant pool. In general, interns should possess demonstrated academic achievement; ability and willingness to work closely with others; flexibility; self-sustaining motivation and initiative; and impeccable trustworthiness, discretion, and maturity. Good judgment is critical. Internships are open to The Public - U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. See https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/public.
  • Applicants must have completed two semesters of undergraduate study and meet one of the following criteria:
    • Actively enrolled in a Bachelor's program for the entirety of the internship term;
    • Returning to a Bachelor's degree program immediately following the internship term; or
    • Participating in a federal fellowship program after the internship;
  • Law students and graduate students are not eligible to participate in the Supreme Court Internship program.
  • Preference will be given to applicants prepared to work eight-hour days, five days per week. Some offices may accept interns available less than full time but at least four days per week.
  • Interns selected for the fall and spring terms should plan to work for 16 weeks.

Education

At least two semesters of undergraduate study are required.

Additional information

Internship Program participants are eligible for the SmartBenefits transit subsidy. Please note that the Court does not offer a parking benefit.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

We will review and assess your application package in comparison with the posted qualifications for the position.

Your answers to the assessment questionnaire are required and will be used to evaluate your application. To preview the assessment questionnaire, click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12798739

Required Documents

The following documents are required:

  1. A resume
  2. A cover letter that explains why you are seeking an internship position with the Supreme Court of the United States in the Clerk's Office, expected graduation date for Bachelor's degree (month and year), and your dates of availability with total number of available weeks and proposed start and end dates.
  3. A transcript
  4. Two letters of recommendation, upload with the application or recommenders may send to internships@supremecourt.gov.

How to Apply

You must upload the cover letter, resume, transcript, and two letters of recommendation. These documents are required and must be received by the closing date, 09/26/2025, in order to be considered. Please submit only these documents unless you have prior federal and/or military experience. In that case your most recent SF-50, Statement of Service, and/or DD-214 will also be required.

  • 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.
  • Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
  • To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJobs account, https://www.usajobs.gov, 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.

Agency contact information

Human Resources Office
Address
Supreme Court of the United States
1 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20543
US

Next steps

Upon submission, you will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your application. Please be advised that your application will not be considered complete unless all of the required documents have been received. All applicants will be notified once a selection has been made.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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