Legal Intern (Student Trainee) NTE 15 WEEKS Job in District of Columbia, DC

Vacancy No. PATHWAYS-FCC-2025-001 Department Federal Communications Commission
Salary $57,164.00 to $90,898.00 Grade 07 to 09
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 1/3/2025 Close Date 12/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
District of Columbia, DC


Summary

This position is located in various Bureaus/Offices across the FCC, located in Washington, DC.  For candidates who meet the qualification requirements, candidates will be referred throughout the year, specifically on or about the first two weeks following the dates listed below.

  • 3/31/2025
  • 6/30/2025
  • 9/30/2025
  • 12/31/2025

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is a student position that is open to current law degree seeking students enrolled in an accredited institution as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In support of Veterans Recruitment efforts, Veterans who are law students of qualifying educational institutions are encouraged to apply.

Duties

The incumbent serves in a developmental student intern capacity performing work assignments to support attorneys/ and/or staff members that vary based on the Bureau/Office where the student is assigned. The assignments and projects cover a broad range of the Commission's mission functions involving rulemaking, spectrum management, application and licensing processing; investigations and complaints analyses, electronic media, public safety and homeland security and consumer information and education.

Typically, legal student intern assignments range from supporting litigation and rulemaking, conducting special studies, projects and initiatives to assisting with drafting new regulations to helping with public outreach; and, may involve performing a variety of legal functions regarding internal and other administrative matters.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Education-Transcripts Required
  • Suitable for employment as determined by a background investigation.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.
  • Financial disclosure statement may be required upon assuming the position.
  • Be a law degree seeking student
  • Must submit a cover letter which describes your interest in the position.
  • Writing sample required (not more than 5 pages)
  • References required

Must maintain at least half-time enrollment status as defined by your school.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications.  Therefore, you should only report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  You may verify accreditation at the following website:  http:www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

All education claimed will be verified.

Qualifications

  • A degree seeking student in the field of Law and have completed one to two years of study toward law degree.
  • Enrolled in a school that has been accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  • Enrolled at least half-time as defined by your school.
  • Be in good academic standing (i.e., must have at least a 3.0 GPA or its equivalent).
  • Students must provide a Cover Letter describing their interest in the position.
  • US Citizen or if you are not a citizen you must meet one the following criteria:  1. owe permanent allegiance to the United States (for example, natives of American Samoa and Swains Island); 2. be a lawfully admitted for permanent residence and seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B); or 3. be admitted as a refugee under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or have been granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 and have filed a declaration of intention to become lawful permanent resident and then citizen when eligible.

GS-07:  Completed one full academic year of graduate level education toward a law degree. 

GS-09:  Completed two full academic years of graduate level education toward a law degree.

Education requirements must be met prior to appointment.  Updated transcript is required to verify requirements have been met.

Education

Enrolled and pursuing a law degree. 

Additional information

EEO Policy Statement

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement

Veterans Information

Legal and Regulatory Guidance

Pathways Program - U.S. CITIZEN OR NON-U.S.CITIZEN EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS:
There is no U. S. citizenship requirement to participate in the Pathways Programs. HOWEVER, U. S. citizenship is a requirement for conversion to the competitive service via a term or permanent appointment.
**Non-U.S. citizens may apply to the Pathways Internship Program as current students or recent graduates and be employed; however, the student must have been lawfully admitted into the United States as a permanent resident or otherwise authorized to be employed in the Pathways Internship Program.
NOTE: A non-citizen student may not be converted to career-conditional employment in the competitive service unless they are U.S. citizens at the time of conversion. Additionally, applicants must be a U.S. citizen for positions that require security clearances.

Other:
-  Before hiring, an agency will ask you to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.  The agency will also ask you to sign and certify the accuracy of all the information in your application.  If you make a false statement in any part of your application, you may not be hired; you may be fired after you begin work; or you may be fined or jailed. If you are a male over age 18 who was born after December 31, 1959, you must have registered with the Selective Service System (or have an exemption) to be eligible for a Federal job.

-  If applicable, you will be required to serve a trial period of one year.

-  In order for you to be employed at the FCC, there are certain Commission and Federal laws governing the financial interests of you and members of your immediate family. If selected for the position, you must submit a financial disclosure statement upon assuming the position.

Benefits

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.

Temporary Pathways Interns NTE 15 weeks are eligible for the following federal benefits:

  • Accrual of annual and sick leave on a bi-weekly basis
  • Federal holidays (paid time off)
  • Transit benefits
  • Telecommuting
  • Flexible spending accounts
  • Alternative work schedules

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.

All applicants will be rated on the extent and quality of experience and education relevant to the duties of the position.  The FCC determines the BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES based on the major job related competencies and evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities reflected in your application and supporting documents.

There are several parts to the application process that affect the overall evaluation of your application including:

1.  the core questions
2.  supplemental documentation (e.g., DD-214, SF-50, SF-15, Transcripts, Schedule A Letter), if applicable; and
3.  cover letter describing interest in the position
4.  resume, writing sample, etc.

Applicants may be rated ineligible, if they do not respond to job specific questions, provide supplemental documents and submit a resume.  For more information, please click on Rating Process.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  • Resume
  • Copy of your law school transcripts showing total credit hours earned and cumulative GPA.
  • Cover Letter (describing your interest in the position)
  • Writing Sample (not more than 5 pages; excerpts from lengthier documents are acceptable)
  • References
  • Schedule A Letter/Documentation, if applicable.
  • Veterans MUST submit form DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," or an SF-15, "Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference" plus the proof required by that form.
  • CURRENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES MUST provide a legible Personnel Action, SF-50, that verifies your status and highest permanently held grade.  If an SF-50 is not submitted, the application will be rated as ineligible.

***Your resume must clearly document how you meet the specialized experience in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for this vacancy. Some positions require supplemental document(s).  All required supporting documents MUST be received by midnight U.S. Eastern Time of the closing date of the announcement, as specified in this announcement. If you do not submit a required document (e.g. transcripts, etc.) your application will be considered incomplete and you will not receive further consideration. Additionally, you may not receive the special consideration, e.g. Vet's Preference, for which you may be eligible without the appropriate supporting documentation. Once you apply to this vacancy you will be prompted by the system to upload the documents.  If you are unable to upload the required documentation, contact the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement prior to 5:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on the closing date of the announcement.***

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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.

How to Apply

To apply to this announcement go to the website: https://fcc.usajobs.gov/ Your application, including resume, all supplemental documents, registration information and answers to job specific questions must be received no later than midnight U.S. Eastern time of the closing date. For more information on applying federal jobs, please check this webpage https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page. If applying online poses a hardship, you may contact either the HR Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement or you may contact the Monster Government Solutions help desk (prior to the closing date of the vacancy announcement) via e-mail at mgshelp@monster.com or you may reach them directly at 866-656-6831. The Monster Help Desk is available Monday-Friday 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST. Qualified applicants may be further reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Experts to determine the validity of on-line question.

Agency contact information

Kristin Young
Address
Federal Communications Commission
45 L Street NE
Washington, District of Columbia 20554
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications to determine your ranking.  The best-qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  You will be notified of the outcome.


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


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