Law Student Legal Intern (Non Paid/Volunteer)

Department of Transportation

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Summary

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Office of Chief Counsel is seeking highly motivated current law students for its Legal Internship program. This program is specifically structured for Juris Doctor (J.D.) candidates looking to gain intensive, hands-on experience in federal administrative law, investigations and enforcement, and public safety.

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

Applications will be accepted from any U.S. Citizen. This position is in the Excepted Service. For information on the Excepted Service, please visit: Excepted Service Appointing Authorities @ https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/types-of-hires/

Duties

As a Legal Intern, you will be integrated directly into the day-to-day legal operations of our four core operational divisions. Legal Interns should expect to commit 20 hours per week at DOT’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the duration of their internship, either for an academic semester or a summer term.

Position: Law students currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and have completed their 1L year at the time the internship would take place.

Typical duties of the interns may include:

Performing legal research and/or assisting with research projects;
Drafting legal documents including motions, pleadings, or briefs;
Assist in trial preparations;
Observe court proceedings; and
In limited instances, may be allowed to represent the government in routine hearings under the supervision of an AUSA before various federal courts.

The primary goal of the program is to introduce interns to the federal legal system, to develop their legal skills and above all, to enjoy their overall internship experience.

Applicants will be notified when their applications have been reviewed/referred for further consideration.

Applicants should expect to commit 20 hours per week at DOT’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C. for the duration of their internship, either for an academic semester or a summer term. While in-person attendance is strongly preferred, some remote flexibility may be offered.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

You must be a U.S.Citizen and eligible for consideration.
Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
This is an Excepted Service position.
Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Selective Service: Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for Selective Service.
Background Investigation: You will be required to complete a background/security investigation and meet preliminary requirements prior to onboarding.
Trial Period: This is an Excepted Service position. This job will be filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive service. Applicants selected for an excepted service position may be subject to a two-year trial period.
Status & Compensation: This position is a voluntary, unpaid student opportunity. Your participation is strictly voluntary, and no monetary compensation, benefits, or employment rights will be provided in exchange for the services you perform.
Primary Benefit: The primary purpose of this role is to provide you with practical experience, mentorship, and professional development. You are free to conclude your volunteer engagement at any time.
Academic Alignment: If you intend to use this role for academic credit or internship requirements, it is your responsibility to provide any necessary paperwork from your institution prior to your start date.

Qualifications

Mandatory Academic Status

Applicants must be currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and have completed their 1L year at the time the internship would take place. This position is not open to undergraduate students or non-law graduate programs. Completion of a foundational course in administrative, environmental, or energy law is highly encouraged but not required.

Core Legal Intern Responsibilities

You will work closely with Attorney Advisors and leadership across our Pipeline Safety, Hazardous Materials Safety, Regulatory Affairs, and General Law divisions on tasks including:

Federal Legal Research: Conduct research regarding the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), FOIA, and PHMSA’s enabling statutes and implementing regulations.
Enforcement & Litigation Support: Participate in building administrative case files, assessing civil penalties, and drafting Notices of Probable Violation (NOPVs) and compliance orders.
Regulatory Assistance: Support efforts developing public proposed rules, conducting historical research, and drafting language for federal safety regulations.

What We Look For

Rigorous Legal Analysis: The ability to dissect complex federal regulations and apply them to unique, technical engineering and transportation scenarios.
Clear, Concise Writing: A strong legal writing style that translates dense information into actionable guidance for agency leadership.
Professional Integrity: Extreme discretion when handling sensitive, ongoing enforcement actions, open investigations, and protected data.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

Professional Benefits

Substantive Writing Samples: Develop high-quality legal memoranda and drafts suitable for your ongoing job search.
Mentorship & Networking: Direct work with seasoned federal practitioners and exposure to the broader DOT legal community.

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.

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.

Review our 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.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you are applying for a student volunteer position. You understand that this is an unpaid role designed primarily for educational, skills-building, or community engagement purposes, and that you are not entitled to wages or a promise of future employment.

You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

Please note that our agency may contact you during or after the review process to request additional documentation (such as proof of student enrollment, academic transcripts, or identification) to verify your eligibility for this student volunteer position.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcripts, and a writing sample via email to PHMSA.Attorney.Jobs@dot.gov no later than 11:59 pm (EST) on the closing date of the announcement. Please indicate that you are applying to the Legal Intern vacancy. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Agency contact information

Automated Staffing Office

Phone: 000-000-0000
Fax: 000-000-0000
Email: TRANSJOBS@dot.gov

Address: DOT, PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMIN
Submit Application and Documents Online
1200 New Jersey Ave SE / HAHR - 50
Washington, District of Columbia 20590
United States

Next steps

You may check your application status by logging into USAJobs.com (Select "My USAJobs" and click "Applications". Within two weeks of the closing date, a Human Resources Specialist will evaluate your application. Qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Law Student Legal Intern (Non Paid/Volunteer) Job in Washington, DC