Summer Intern Program (Summer NTE 89 days) Job in Rockville, MD

Vacancy No. OGC-2025-0004 Department Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Salary $33.08 to $38.39 Grade 07 to 09
Perm/Temp Temporary FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 12/18/2024 Close Date 1/8/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Rockville, MD


Summary

The General Counsel is the chief legal advisor to the NRC and directs all matters of law and legal policy for the agency. The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) consists of six divisions that provide advice and assistance to the General Counsel and the NRC staff. The Solicitor, supported by attorneys in the Office of the General Counsel, has primary responsibility for supervising litigation in courts of law. 

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is an Excepted Service, Summer Appointment. This announcement is only open to applicants who meet the definition of a "Student" and are in good academic standing as defined in the "Requirements" section of this vacancy announcement.

Duties

Each year, the NRC selects a small number of current law students to serve in the OGC Summer Intern Program. The program allows you to work closely with seasoned attorneys who advise the Commission and the agency technical staff in the development and implementation of the regulatory program and who represent the agency in administrative licensing and enforcement proceedings and before United States Courts of Appeal. NRC attorneys also counsel and represent the agency on other administrative law, personnel, labor relations, procurement, and information law matters.

As an OGC Intern, you have the opportunity to work on a variety of tasks, such as the following:

  • conducting research and writing assignments
  • observing the workings of the agency in carrying out its regulatory responsibilities

OGC Interns who have completed one year of law school (30 to 49 semester hours) will start at Government Grade (GG)-7, Step 10. OGC Interns who have completed two years of law school (50 to 60 semester hours) will start at GG-9, Step 8. Please check OPM's salary tables for the most up-to-date salary information.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • These are drug testing positions.
  • Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Enrolled in an ABA-Accredited Law School
  • GPA or class rank requirements as stated in the Qualifications section

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the OGC Summer Intern Program, you must meet all three of the following qualification criteria:

  1. Be a U.S. citizen.
  2. Be ONE of the following:
    1. a first-year law student (1L)/rising second-year law student (2L) with 30 to 49 semester hours;
    2. a second-year law student (2L)/rising second-year law student (3L) with 50 to 60 semester hours;
  3. For a second-year law student (2L)/rising second-year law student (3L), be in the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. (These criteria may be waived if your school utilizes a non-traditional grading system or you have unusual compensating qualifications, such as other academic degrees or pertinent work experience.)
  4. First-year law student (1L)/rising second-year law student (2L) may apply prior to receiving first semester, first year grades, but must submit an “Unofficial” transcript showing an overall GPA of 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0 within 30-days of the closing date of this vacancy. (The GPA criterion may be waived if your school utilizes a non-traditional grading system or you have unusual compensating qualifications, such as other academic degrees or pertinent work experience.)

In addition to the qualification requirements listed above, the ideal candidate(s) will also meet the following criteria:

  • Have coursework in areas of the law related to NRC practice and procedure (relevant coursework may include administrative law, legislative law, statutory interpretation, environmental law, energy law, public interest law, and/or trial advocacy);
  • Have excellent oral and written communication skills (relevant activities may include law review/journals, publications, trial practice/moot court, clinical law programs, and research assistantships); and
  • Have a demonstrated interest in public service (relevant experience may include past employment with public organizations and/or local/state/federal government agencies).

In order to qualify for the program, your complete application must be submitted during the open period (dates listed at the top of this page) and reflect how you possess all of the qualification criteria listed above.

Education

You MUST currently be a degree seeking law student enrolled at an American Bar Association accredited law school at least half-time with a cumulative GPA of at least of 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0 or top 30% of class (second-year law students (2Ls)/rising second-year law students (3Ls).

First-year law students (1L)/rising second-year law students (2L) must provide a copy of your "Unofficial" transcript for the degree that you are pursuing within 30 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement that notes the school you are attending, your major, and contains course titles, date of completion, number of credits, grades, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and courses currently in progress. If you fail to submit transcripts within 30 days of the closing date, you will be considered ineligible and will no longer be considered. "Official" transcripts will be requested at a later date.

Second-year law students (2Ls)/rising second-year law students (3Ls) must provide a copy of your "Unofficial" transcript for the degree that you are pursuing by the closing date of the vacancy announcement that notes the school you are attending, your major, and contains course titles, date of completion, number of credits, grades, cumulative grade point average (GPA), and courses currently in progress. If you fail to submit transcripts with your application by the closing date, you will be considered ineligible and will no longer be considered. "Official" transcripts will be requested at a later date.

You must be ONE of the following:

a first-year law student (1L)/rising second-year law student (2L) with 30 to 49 semester hours;

a second-year law student (2L)/rising second-year law student (3L) with 50 to 60 semester hours.

Additional information

The duty location of this position is Rockville, MD. In general, employees are expected to be in the office (4 days per pay period).  Telework schedules are approved, on a case-by-case basis. If selected, telework will be determined in accordance with Agency policy and the Collective Bargaining Agreement, if applicable.

Based on the staffing needs of the agency/area of consideration, additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate.  Individuals with disabilities may contact the Selective Placement Coordinator for assistance with the application or hiring process via Disability.Resource@nrc.gov. Deaf applicants may contact the Disability Program Manager by calling the NRC videophone at 240-428-3217.

Individuals who are eligible for non-competitive appointment under an OPM special appointing authority may apply for consideration under a comparable NRC non-competitive appointing authority. Veterans, please visit:  http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Selectee's will be required to complete a "Declaration of Federal Employment", (OF-306), prior to being appointed to determine their suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.  False statements or responses on your resume or questionnaire can jeopardize your employment opportunity and subject you to disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.

A transferable security clearance from another agency or a background investigation leading to a clearance is required for all new hires.  To begin work at the NRC without a security clearance, you must be granted a temporary waiver of the required clearance, referred to as a 145(b) waiver.  To be eligible for a 145(b) waiver you will need a favorable education verification, reference, credit, and criminal history checks.  If a wavier is granted, the successful completion of a background investigation and favorable adjudication is required for continued employment.  If you have resided outside the U.S. for an extended period of time, the agency may not be able to (1) grant the 145(b) waiver where the required investigation cannot be completed in a timely manner, or (2) achieve timely completion of the background investigation required for a security clearance. 

The NRC is a zero-tolerance agency with respect to illegal drug use.  Individuals selected for this position will be subject to pre-appointment drug testing unless currently in a NRC position subject to random drug testing AND will be subject to random drug testing upon appointment to the NRC.

To be deemed eligible for the Student Transportation and Lodging Program, your current and permanent residences must be at least 35 miles away from your official duty station.

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.

As an NRC employee you will enjoy excellent Federal Benefits, including comprehensive health and life insurance plans; Flexible Spending Account Program for health and dependent care; Dental and Vision Insurance; retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) (Thrift Savings Plan); annual (vacation) and paid sick leave; family friendly leave policies; 11 paid holidays per year; transit benefits.  This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal employees:  https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_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.

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the program requirements. Your application will be rated based on the information provided in your resume and supplemental information. If you are among the best qualified for this position, your application will be referred to the selecting official.  Please keep in mind your resume is of key importance for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position.

Your complete application must be submitted during the open period (dates listed at the top of this page) and reflect how you meet the qualification.

Current OGC attorneys and staff will review your application, paying particular attention to the following: academic achievement (i.e., grade point average and class standing), relevant legal coursework, extracurricular law school activities and associations, work experience, writing skills, and general interest in the NRC. OGC will be conducting online interviews for summer positions via MS Teams.

The NRC will consider candidates based solely on merit. The agency provides equal opportunity for all applicants and prohibits discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or reprisal for participation in any activity protected by the various civil rights statutes.

We value our veterans and their unique training and experience. Eligible veterans will receive preference afforded to them by the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 and should submit appropriate documentation of service as part of their application.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

All supplemental documents will now be collected electronically and should be submitted before the closing date of this vacancy announcement.  You have three choices for submitting your supplemental documents:

1.  Use the "USAJOBS" feature to download documents from your USAJOBS portfolio; or
2.  use the "Upload" feature to upload documents directly from your computer.  The following types of documents can be uploaded:  .gif, .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, and .doc; or
3. use the "Fax" feature to print the Fax Cover Sheet and fax it, along with your supplemental documents to 1-571-258-4052.

A complete application must include the following materials: 

  • cover letter
  • résumé
  • list of three references, including at least one academic and one professional reference.
  • For a second-year law student (2L)/rising second-year law student (3L), copy of your law school transcript and an explanation of your school's grading system, if necessary (Please do not have your school send your official transcript separately from your application—an official transcript will be requested if you are selected)
  • list of your current fall semester courses and intended future courses, if they are not already included on your transcript
  • sample of your legal writing, no longer than 10 pages, that is unedited by anyone else (portions of longer writing samples may require separate written introductions to provide context)



If you are a current/reinstatement eligible Federal employee with status (Tenure Group 1 or 2), you will be considered under our merit promotion procedures and must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action) to verify competitive status or reinstatement eligibility.  

Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service; Current Active Duty members must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions dated within 120 days; SF-15 Form and related documentation; VA letter.)  You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Since you are applying for a position that requires a college degree, you must submit your College Transcripts. Transcripts can be unofficial but must include the applicant's current academic standing and GPA. If you fail to submit the required documentation, you will not receive consideration for this position. 

How to Apply

We strongly encourage you to complete your USAJOBS profile before you submit your application for this position.  

Please read the entire announcement. Your application for this vacancy must be received online via the USAJOBS application system BEFORE 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. If you fail to submit a complete online application, you will not be considered for this position.

The NRC requires that applicants submit resumes built using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool. The Resume Builder tool is activated upon selecting "Build New Resume" under the "Resumes" section of your USAJOBS account.

Resumes uploaded to your USAJOBS jobseeker account that have not been built using the USAJOBS Resume Builder tool WILL NOT be accepted and you WILL NOT be allowed to further advance through the NRC application process.

To ensure you are using the correct resume type when applying to our vacancies, please make sure that the resume you are using during the application process is listed with a format type of "USAJOBS Resume" and a source type of "Built with USAJOBS Resume Builder. Verifying this information on your USAJOBS resume before applying will ensure the successful submission of your application to the NRC job vacancy.

Paper applications will not be accepted unless hardship circumstances can be demonstrated. Requests for extensions WILL NOT be granted. If applying online poses a hardship for you, the Human Resources Specialist listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted online by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Human Resources Specialist during business hours BEFORE the closing date of the announcement and speak to someone who can provide assistance for your online submission.

You must answer any job specific vacancy questions. You will be rated based on your responses to any vacancy questions and especially the information provided in your resume. Breadth, recency, and length of experience in the field; training, awards, and commendations; past and current performance; and community or outside professional activities will be considered to determine your level of knowledge, skill or ability for this position. Abbreviated responses to the vacancy questions, such as “significant experience” or “see resume” do not provide enough information and should not be used. You will not be considered for this position if you leave any of the vacancy questions unanswered.

To begin the application process, select the "Apply On-line" button to the right on this screen. Then follow the prompts to login/register, submit all required supplemental documents, and complete the application process.



Agency contact information

Natasha Thomas
Phone
301-415-7000
TDD
240-428-3217
Fax
000-000-0000
Email
Natasha.thomas@nrc.gov
Website
https://www.nrc.gov
Address
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION
US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Office of Human Resources
Attn: Natasha Thomas
Washington, District of Columbia 20555
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

You may check the status of your application at any time after the announcement closes by logging onto USAJobs and selecting "Application Status."


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


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