Duties

Summary

The incumbent of this position serves as an Intern under the Pathways Program. This program is designed to provide students enrolled at educational institutions at all levels (high school to graduate level) with paid opportunities to work in agencies and explore the benefits and conditions of Federal employment. Employment under this authority requires the execution of an Internship Program Participant Agreement that outlines work and academic responsibilities.

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Responsibilities

Consistently ranked as the best place to work in the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is an independent office whose mission is to promote excellence, integrity, and accountability throughout DOI. The OIG conducts investigations, evaluations, and audits in order to enhance effectiveness and efficiency and to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and mismanagement in DOI programs and operations.

The agency may noncompetitively convert a Pathways Intern who is a U.S. Citizen to a term or permanent appointment in the competitive or excepted service, as long as the Intern meets the following: 1. U.S. Citizenship; 2. Successful completion of academic course of study, degree, diploma or certificate related to the position; 3. Completion of a minimum of 640 hours of work experience under the Internship Program; 4. Meet the OPM Qualification requirements for the position to which the intern may be converted; and 5. Maintain acceptable performance. If an intern is converted, the position may have a full-performance level of GS-13. NOTE: There is no guarantee for conversion.

This position is a temporary DOI OIG Internship position with a not to exceed (NTE) date of one year from the date of appointment; however, the appointment may be extended.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS VACANCY IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 100 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AND WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON THE CLOSING DATE OR AT MIDNIGHT ON THE DAY WE RECEIVE THE 100TH APPLICATION, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.

Additional selections may be made from this vacancy announcement.

The incumbent provides assistance to the supervisor and staff members in the performance of a variety of legal functions within the Office of General Counsel, primarily the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office required to support the organization:

• Assists OIG staff in reviewing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
• Processes FOIA requests by determining if OIG has responsive records and analyzing releasable documents
• Effectively communicates in person, by phone and by email
• Researches and compiles facts and that evidence supports FOIA requests, administrative, and/or judicial hearings
• Drafts letters, memoranda, and legal documents for review and approval by a senior attorney
• Prepares reports outlining facts and legal issues involved
• Conducts basic research, analyzes data and communicates results

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
09

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered for the Selective Service
• Position subject to pre-employment background check
• Must be taking at least a half-time course load, as defined by the school

Academic Enrollment: You must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a technical or vocational school, two-year or four year college or university, graduate or professional school (go to www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ to verify accreditation status). Individuals who are enrolled must be taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree. "Half-time" is defined by the school in which the student is enrolled.

Good Academic Standing: Applicants must have at least a 3.0 cumulative (overall) GPA.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all the qualification requirements and submit any required supporting documentation by the closing date of this job opportunity. Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.

Qualifications Requirements for Internship Appointments: Appointments may be at the highest grade level for which the Intern is qualified. Interns with no previous related education or experience may qualify as described below.

GRADE LEVEL OF EDUCATION

GS-9: Completion of 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree leading to a LL.B. or J.D.

Education

You must be enrolled in an accredited law school and must meet half-time student enrollment requirements.

Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside the United States may be used to meet the specific educational requirements as stated above. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States.

Additional information

• Must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must be seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate (e.g., Vocational/Technical Certificate, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, etc.)
• Must be taking (at least) a half-time course load, as defined by the school.
• Currently hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• If selected, must sign Student Pathways Program Agreement and provide official transcript at the end of each academic term.
• Must remain in good academic standing while in the program.

E-VERIFY: DOI uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify

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 following:

Knowledge of the principles and methods of legal research, analysis, and reference sources sufficient to locate appropriate precedence and applicable procedures, legislative history, and commentaries, which have bearing on particular legal issues

Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must highlight your most relevant and significant work experience(s) and education (if applicable) as it relates to this job opportunity.

Veterans' preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with Part 302 of 5 CFR. Candidates will be assessed based solely on basic eligibility requirements and the qualitative rating factors listed above.

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Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Required Documents

All documentation, applicable to you, must be submitted by the closing date of this announcement. Failure to submit the required documents will disqualify you from further consideration for this position.

Resume (Required): Your resume must contain information sufficient to make a valid determination that you fully meet the basic/specialized experience requirements as stated in this vacancy announcement and OPM qualification standards for each grade level(s) for which you are applying. Insufficient information will result in an ineligible rating.

Transcript (Required): Official or unofficial college/university transcripts will be accepted. NOTE: An official transcript will be required prior to entrance on duty.

Veterans Preference documentation (if applicable): Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214-Member 4 copy), if applicable Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (SF-15) and an official statement, dated 1991 or later, from the Department of Veterans Affairs or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying to the veteran's present receipt of compensation.

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.