Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

With an emphasis on high ethical standards, excellence in public service and the delivery of superlative advice and counsel, DOI Solicitor's Office performs the legal work for the United States Department of the Interior, and manages the Departmental Ethics Office and Departmental FOIA Office. With more than 500 total employees, more than 400 of which are licensed attorneys, the Office strives to provide sound legal services to fulfill the Department's diverse and wide-ranging mission.

This job is open to

Students

Current students enrolled in accredited educational institutions from high school to graduate level. Includes internships, pathways and other student programs.

Clarification from the agency

Current 1L, 2L and LLM students enrolled in an ABA-accredited educational institutions in a Juris Doctorate or LLM program.

Duties

The Office of the Solicitor is responsible for the legal work of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), with nearly 200 practicing attorneys in the headquarters office and more than 300 attorneys nationwide. DOI's mission makes it the Nation's premier conservation agency. The work that we do through our offices and bureaus (including the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Surface Mining, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement) affects the lives of millions of people; from the family taking a vacation in a national park to a child studying in an Indian school.

With this diverse workload and the demand of extensive litigation and program counseling, the Office is continually looking for talented, dedicated law students with an interest in gaining practical experience advising agencies on the legal aspects of their mission as well as participating in complex civil litigation before administrative tribunals or assisting the Justice Department in litigating matters before federal courts. Our legal interns/externs are called upon to conduct legal research on a variety of environmental and administrative law issues, as well as issues involving Indian law. The Office resolves appeals under the Freedom of Information Act and is also home to the Department's Ethics Office. Students typically draft legal memoranda, briefs and motions, and assist with discovery in active federal cases. Students may participate in conference calls and strategy sessions with other agency counsel, including Justice Department lawyers and agency officials. There may be additional opportunities to attend hearings and meetings in the Washington, D.C. area.

Because of our unique responsibilities to support the Department's programs to benefit American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native American candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The United States Government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.

Salary: Intern positions are without compensation, but are eligible to participate in the Transit Subsidy Benefit Program.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

There are opportunities for externships in Headquarters, Washington, DC, Regional, and Field Offices, as determined by each office on the SOL Externship website located at https://www.doi.gov/solicitor/intern_extern
Must be enrolled at least part-time at an accredited academic institution.
Must maintain status as a current student in good standings during the internship.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
Must be able to successfully pass a background investigation.
U.S. Citizen or U.S. National

Qualifications

Applicants must be students. The following students are eligible: undergraduate students who are enrolled at least half-time; public policy graduate students; first-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students; and law school graduates who are enrolled in graduate law programs (e.g., L.L.M. programs) at least half-time. All students must be in good academic standing and will be required to provide official documentation from their school. First-year, first-semester law students may apply after December 1 for internships the following summer

Education

Must be enrolled at least part-time in a juris doctorate or LLM program at an American Bar Association accredited law school.
Must maintain status as a current student in good standings during your externship.

Additional information

This is a volunteer position and does not qualify for benefits. However, students may receive academic credit if their law schools allow it. This credit is strictly at the discretion of the school.

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.

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.

Program Application Schedule

Opening Date	Closing Date	Semester	Year
June 1, 2024	August 1, 2024	2025 Spring	1L, 2L, 3L

Required Documents

How to Apply: Students should submit the following documents as one consolidated PDF in the order below:

Resume with 2 professional or academic references
Completed Request for Consideration Form (designate locations/organizations for which you wish to be considered).
Cover Letter addressed to "To Whom It May Concern"
Copy of most recent transcript (official or unofficial)
Writing Sample (no more than 3 pages)

Deadline: Your complete application, including required documents, must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on the closing date.
If you have questions regarding this program, please contact studentemployment@sol.doi.gov.

How to Apply

Please see required documents above.

Agency contact information