Law Clerk (Not to Exceed 2 years) (2024)
- Employer
- USAJobs
- Location
- Washington, D.C
- Posted
- Jun 15, 2023
- Closes
- Jun 22, 2023
- Function
- Retail Sales Associate
- Industry
- Government and Public Services, Federal
- Career Level
- Experienced (Non-Manager)
- Hours
- Full Time
Duties
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) anticipates multiple law clerk vacancies in the Fall of 2024, with interviews occurring in Fall 2023. This vacancy concerns Law Clerk positions in FERC's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ). The application window will close on August 28, 2023.
The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) is an administrative law court located within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC regulates all interstate aspects of the national energy industry. OALJ receives its cases from FERC orders to resolve issues of material fact, and to apply those facts to relevant law, regulation, and FERC-interpreted policy to issue initial decisions. OALJ initial decisions are reviewed and voted-on by the FERC Commissioners before accruing appellate oversight of the D.C. Circuit, or other U.S. Circuit Court with jurisdiction. In formulating decisions, OALJ judges hold courtroom hearings and issue a broad range of intermediate orders on motions, sometimes after oral argument. FERC judges also serve as mediators and assist participants in settling complex disputes with large monetary impacts.
Law Clerks serve for two-year terms, and are assigned to 1-2 judges, depending on office needs. Although each judge's needs may vary, the law clerk will often work closely with the assigned judge in drafting orders and decisions on complex issues in energy law, among many other matters. While clerks work with judges on foundational energy law questions, the vibrant field of energy regulation also requires clerks to gain familiarity with legal questions of all sorts, such as administrative, environmental, corporate, corporate finance, contract, tort, tax, securities, antitrust, evidence, and much more. Law clerks will often independently conduct legal and factual research, advise the judge verbally and in-person, and prepare draft decisions, orders, or memos for the judge's review. To provide this assistance, the law clerks will sometimes work with energy industry analysts and other in-house experts to gain technical knowledge. Law clerks will also have the opportunity to sit in, and assist with, trials, oral arguments and mediations, and act as the judge's primary communicator with participants.
As a Law Clerk, some of your typical work assignments may include:
The FERC Law Clerk position requires a firm two-year commitment. Upon commencement of this term, the Law Clerk must have obtained a juris doctorate degree, and within 14-months, must pass the bar of a state, federal district, or bar for which license holders may practice before the federal government.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
You must meet the following basic requirements, by the end of the Spring semester 2024: (1) hold a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited college or university.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES MUST PROVIDE A COVER LETTER, A RESUME, AND LAW SCHOOL AND UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS. FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL REQUESTED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN CANDIDATES NOT BEING CONSIDERED. Two (2) writing samples will also be separately required if selected for an interview.
It is highly preferable for candidates to have taken the bar exam prior to commencing their clerkships, which are anticipated to start in the Fall of 2024. Law Clerks are appointed for a 14 month term prior to passing the bar exam - the appointment cannot under any circumstances exceed 14 months and cannot be extended. This means that the appointee must pass the bar exam before the 14-month period ends. Once admitted to the bar of any state, the appointee's position title is converted to "Attorney Advisor."
Please note, that this vacancy is accepting applications on a rolling basis and is open until August 28, 2023. Hiring officials will begin reviewing application materials at the end of June, and will also review applications submitted through August 28, 2023. You will likely not be contacted until after the closing date of August 28, 2023. However, at that time, if you are selected for an interview, you will be required to submit two (2) writing samples.
Education
This position has an education requirement and therefore, transcripts are required. Failure to submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application will result in your application being marked incomplete and you will not receive further consideration.
Additional information
FERC is ranked as the #1 mid-size agency in both Teamwork and Effective Leadership in the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places to Work rankings! In addition, FERC is ranked as a top 5 agency in Work-Life Balance and is proud to offer telework and workplace flexibilities in accordance with agency policy.
The duty location of this position is Washington, DC. Agency employees are eligible for telework and other workplace flexibilities. Telework days and waiting periods for eligibility are determined when an employee enters on duty.
When promotion potential is shown, future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
If selected for this position, you will be required to:
Important note regarding Executive Order 14043 (Guidance on Enforcing COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Federal Employees): To ensure compliance with an applicable nationwide preliminary injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees .
Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Any information regarding vaccination status will be maintained securely and confidentially.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) anticipates multiple law clerk vacancies in the Fall of 2024, with interviews occurring in Fall 2023. This vacancy concerns Law Clerk positions in FERC's Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ). The application window will close on August 28, 2023.
The Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ) is an administrative law court located within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC regulates all interstate aspects of the national energy industry. OALJ receives its cases from FERC orders to resolve issues of material fact, and to apply those facts to relevant law, regulation, and FERC-interpreted policy to issue initial decisions. OALJ initial decisions are reviewed and voted-on by the FERC Commissioners before accruing appellate oversight of the D.C. Circuit, or other U.S. Circuit Court with jurisdiction. In formulating decisions, OALJ judges hold courtroom hearings and issue a broad range of intermediate orders on motions, sometimes after oral argument. FERC judges also serve as mediators and assist participants in settling complex disputes with large monetary impacts.
Law Clerks serve for two-year terms, and are assigned to 1-2 judges, depending on office needs. Although each judge's needs may vary, the law clerk will often work closely with the assigned judge in drafting orders and decisions on complex issues in energy law, among many other matters. While clerks work with judges on foundational energy law questions, the vibrant field of energy regulation also requires clerks to gain familiarity with legal questions of all sorts, such as administrative, environmental, corporate, corporate finance, contract, tort, tax, securities, antitrust, evidence, and much more. Law clerks will often independently conduct legal and factual research, advise the judge verbally and in-person, and prepare draft decisions, orders, or memos for the judge's review. To provide this assistance, the law clerks will sometimes work with energy industry analysts and other in-house experts to gain technical knowledge. Law clerks will also have the opportunity to sit in, and assist with, trials, oral arguments and mediations, and act as the judge's primary communicator with participants.
As a Law Clerk, some of your typical work assignments may include:
- Performing Legal Research and Analysis
- Writing and Communicating
- Providing Customer Service
- Performing Case Management
The FERC Law Clerk position requires a firm two-year commitment. Upon commencement of this term, the Law Clerk must have obtained a juris doctorate degree, and within 14-months, must pass the bar of a state, federal district, or bar for which license holders may practice before the federal government.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
- This is a bargaining unit position.
- Generally, male applicants must be registered with the Selective Service.
- This position has an education requirement; you must submit transcripts.
- You may be required to divest certain energy-related securities.
- A background investigation is required.
You must meet all eligibility and qualification (experience and/or education) requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Qualifications
You must meet the following basic requirements, by the end of the Spring semester 2024: (1) hold a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from an accredited college or university.
INTERESTED CANDIDATES MUST PROVIDE A COVER LETTER, A RESUME, AND LAW SCHOOL AND UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS. FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL REQUESTED DOCUMENTS WILL RESULT IN CANDIDATES NOT BEING CONSIDERED. Two (2) writing samples will also be separately required if selected for an interview.
It is highly preferable for candidates to have taken the bar exam prior to commencing their clerkships, which are anticipated to start in the Fall of 2024. Law Clerks are appointed for a 14 month term prior to passing the bar exam - the appointment cannot under any circumstances exceed 14 months and cannot be extended. This means that the appointee must pass the bar exam before the 14-month period ends. Once admitted to the bar of any state, the appointee's position title is converted to "Attorney Advisor."
Please note, that this vacancy is accepting applications on a rolling basis and is open until August 28, 2023. Hiring officials will begin reviewing application materials at the end of June, and will also review applications submitted through August 28, 2023. You will likely not be contacted until after the closing date of August 28, 2023. However, at that time, if you are selected for an interview, you will be required to submit two (2) writing samples.
Education
This position has an education requirement and therefore, transcripts are required. Failure to submit a copy of your transcripts at the time of application will result in your application being marked incomplete and you will not receive further consideration.
Additional information
FERC is ranked as the #1 mid-size agency in both Teamwork and Effective Leadership in the Partnership for Public Service's Best Places to Work rankings! In addition, FERC is ranked as a top 5 agency in Work-Life Balance and is proud to offer telework and workplace flexibilities in accordance with agency policy.
The duty location of this position is Washington, DC. Agency employees are eligible for telework and other workplace flexibilities. Telework days and waiting periods for eligibility are determined when an employee enters on duty.
When promotion potential is shown, future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
If selected for this position, you will be required to:
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
- Have your Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choice.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S. FERC also participates in the USCIS Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). For more information about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify.
- Attend a mandatory ethics training. We are governed by the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) Standards of Conduct, the criminal conflict of interest statutes, and FERC's supplemental ethics regulation, which specifically prohibits FERC employees from holding certain energy-related securities. To comply with these regulations and statutes, divestiture of these securities may be required after you begin employment. See 5 C.F.R. 2634-41; 18 U.S.C. 201-208; 5 C.F.R. 3401. If selected, you may also be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of appointment.
- Receive authorization from OPM on any job offer you receive, if you are or were (within the last 5 years) a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch.
Important note regarding Executive Order 14043 (Guidance on Enforcing COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Federal Employees): To ensure compliance with an applicable nationwide preliminary injunction, which may be supplemented, modified, or vacated, depending on the course of ongoing litigation, the Federal Government will take no action to implement or enforce the COVID-19 vaccination requirement pursuant to Executive Order 14043 on Requiring Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination for Federal Employees .
Federal agencies may request information regarding the vaccination status of selected applicants for the purposes of implementing other workplace safety protocols, such as protocols related to masking, physical distancing, testing, travel, and quarantine. Any information regarding vaccination status will be maintained securely and confidentially.