Student Volunteer Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. 2025-02-VR Department Federal Maritime Commission
Salary $0.00 to $0.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/17/2024 Close Date 1/31/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

Are you looking for a meaningful internship that will give you a competitive edge, marketable experience, and knowledge of the Federal Government while making a difference in people's lives? Check out this opportunity from the Office of Administrative Law Judges to learn more about the office and the Federal Maritime Commission. We are seeking motivated law students who love challenge, can bring fresh perspectives, and innovative solutions to the office and agency!

Duties

The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) summer/fall internship is designed to provide law students with the opportunity to work directly with Administrative Law Judges on pending cases. The position requires strong research and writing skills. The work normally assigned to a law student volunteer will include:

  • Researching and analyzing legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other legal material;
  • Independently reviewing evidence and analyzing relevant facts;
  • Preparing legal memoranda or draft orders on assigned questions;
  • Proofreading and cite checking legal memoranda, orders and decisions; and,
  • Assisting the office with case management and procedures.
We will select up to three full-time summer interns who will transition into part-time fall interns. This position will be open until filled or until January 6, 2025, whichever comes first. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority to applications received by December 27, 2024.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • Work may be virtual or in-person.
  • Selectees must submit school transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and proof of enrollment in a degree or certificate-seeking program at an accredited institution.
  • Student volunteers do not receive payment of any kind from the FMC, except approved volunteers may be eligible for a transit subsidy.
  • Students must sign and adhere to the FMC's Student Volunteer Service Agreement.
  • A representative from selectee's school must sign the FMC's Student Volunteer Service Agreement form.
  • Although optional, students are encouraged to work with their school's academic advisor to request course credit for the Student Volunteer Program.
Duration of Internship:Students should be available from May to November 2025 and be able to work over the summer for at least thirty-two (32) hours per week for a minimum of ten weeks; forty hours per week preferred. For the fall, work may be part-time, with a minimum of 5 hours per week.

Qualifications

All applicants must meet the basic requirements to be considered eligible by the close of this announcement.

1. You must be a United States Citizen and at least 18 years old; AND
2. Enrolled as a student on at least a half-time basis and as defined by your law school and be in good academic standing as defined by your educational institution; AND
3. Submit proof of student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the student volunteer opportunity. Students must maintain student eligibility and enrollment throughout the duration of the student volunteer opportunity and must be actively enrolled at an accredited law school.
4. Students who have graduated or will graduate prior to the completion of the Student Volunteer Program commitment are ineligible to participate without proof of future enrollment at an accredited educational institution.
5. Specific work schedules vary and will be set upon selection.
6. Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants should report only attendance and/or degrees from accredited institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://ope.ed.gov/ accreditation/Search.aspx

Education

All applicants must submit their academic transcripts in order to be eligible. The transcripts may be unofficial or official and must show your status as a student, as well as support your educational claim.

Student Status: Definition of a student- applicant must be enrolled in an accredited two year or four-year college or university, graduate or professional school. You must be considered in good academic standing. Individuals must be taking at least a half-time academic, vocational, or technical course leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. "Half-time" is defined by the school in which the student is enrolled.

Additional information

  • Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections.
  • Service is not creditable for leave or any other employee benefits. Student interns may be eligible to receive a federal transit benefit to help pay for mass transit for their home-to-work commute.
  • Accepted student volunteer interns are not considered to be Federal employees for any purpose other than for the purpose of:
  • The Federal Tort Claims provisions published in 28 U.S.C. 2671 through 2680 which enables individuals (that are not Federal employees) who are injured by negligent or wrongful acts of Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment to submit claims for compensation for those injuries to the Federal Government.
  • Claims related to injuries to Federal employees sustained during performance of work assignments under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 81.

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.

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

Complete applications will be reviewed to make sure all volunteer intern program criteria are met. Selections are based on academic achievement, area of study, experience, completeness and professionalism of application materials, ability to commit to summer schedule, and interview(s).

Required Documents

The following information must be contained in your application package and submitted by the closing date:

  • Cover Letter, to include for the summer: proposed start and end dates, number of work hours available per week, and any anticipated time-off during; also indicate availability to work part-time in the fall
  • Resume (preference for a 1-2 page resume)
  • Current Law School Transcript (Unofficial is acceptable)
  • Writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages)
If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Refer to the OPM instructions.This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (202) 523-5773 or ohrmaritime@fmc.gov. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case-basis. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment 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.

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 for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section directly to the Office of Administrative Law Judges at:judges@fmc.gov

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on the closing date of the announcement.

Agency contact information

Cassie Hayden
Address
Office of Administrative Law Judge
800 North Capitol Street, NW
Suite 1088
Washington, DC 20573
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Please notify us if your contact information changes after the closing date of the announcement. Also, note that if you provide an email address that is inaccurate or if your mailbox is full or blocked (e.g., spam-blocker), you may not receive important communication that could affect your consideration for this position.


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


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