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Honor Law Graduate Program - Legal Intern GG-11/12 (FPL GG-14)

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Rockville, Maryland
Closing date
Jul 30, 2021
Duties

Summary

Each year, the NRC selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to serve in the Office of the General Counsel's (OGC's) Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP). Established in 1972, the HLGP is the primary mechanism for hiring entry-level attorneys at the NRC. As an Honor Law Graduate, you will serve in a two-year program consisting of rotational assignments through different OGC divisions in order to gain broad exposure to the diverse legal practice at the NRC.

Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

The Honor Law Graduate Program allows you to collaborate with seasoned attorneys and work independently on a variety of assignments, such as the following:
  • participating in administrative litigation involving activities and facilities licensed by the NRC
  • reviewing environmental impact statements with technical staff
  • drafting proposed regulations for new or revised safety standards
  • assisting in the review and litigation of employment law matters, government contract matters, fiscal law, and security issues
  • working with the Solicitor in researching and preparing briefs for submission to the federal courts of appeals


Travel Required

Occasional travel - There is occasional travel associated with OGC attorney positions. The amount of travel depends on the type of work you are performing. Attorneys involved with litigation and hearings typically need to travel more often.

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
14

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • These are drug testing positions.
  • Background investigation leading to a clearance is required for new hires.
  • U.S. Citizenship Required


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 Honor Law Graduate Program, you must meet the following qualification criteria:

You must apply for only ONE grade, either GG-11 OR GG-12. Please read below to determine the grade at which you would qualify based on your education and experience:

GG-11:

1. a third-year law student (3L) at an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn a J.D. degree no later than June of the academic year of application; or

- a graduate of an American Bar Association-accredited law school who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the academic year of application; and

2. Be in at least the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. NOTE: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school's grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements.

Specialized experience , including educational experience, in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law.

GG-12:

1. a J.D. degree; or

- an LL.M. degree; and

- a current judicial law clerk with a minimum of one year of judicial law clerk experience within 30 calendar days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement; and

2. Be in at least the upper thirty percent (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. NOTE: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school's grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements.

Specialized experience , including educational experience, in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law.

Admission to the Bar is not a prerequisite to applying and being considered for the Honor Law Graduate Program, but is expected during the first year of NRC employment. Recent law school graduates who join the NRC before bar examination results are available will provide evidence of Bar admission as soon as possible after admission. Selectees who are not admitted to the Bar will not be promoted to the GG-12 level. Those not admitted to the Bar within two years may be separated from the NRC.
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The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following:

- Experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, information law, federal administrative procedure, or regulatory law.

- Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis orally and in writing (evidenced by relevant employment experience or internships, academic achievement, or extracurricular law school activities).

- Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis in writing as evidence by an unedited writing sample.

Education

You must possess a professional law degree acquired through graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association no later than June of the academic year of application.

Additional information

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.

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/

Selectees 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 waiver 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.

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 and ideal candidate criteria listed under the "Qualifications Required" section.

To preview questions please click here .

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
L Access Authorization

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

Send the supplemental information by uploading all required documents with your application. All supplemental documents can 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, .pfg, 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.

List of supplemental material that may be applicable: 1. SF-50, "Notification of Personnel Action" - 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. If you do not have federal work experience you will not need to submit an SF-50. 2. DD-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty" -If you wish to be considered for Veteran's Preference. 3. SF-15, "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference", plus the proof required by that form - If you are a disabled veteran. You can find additional information about Veterans' Preference at http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. 4. Transcripts - Transcripts can be unofficial but must include the applicant's current academic standing and GPA. All transcripts pertaining to the grade level for which you are applying are required for verification purposes. Please do not have your school send your official transcript separately from your application-an official transcript will be requested if you are selected. If you received your degree from a foreign educational institution, it is your responsibility to submit verification of accreditation. PLEASE NOTE: Your supplemental information MUST be received electronically and uploaded online through USAjobs.com. If you fail to submit the required documentation, you will not receive consideration for this position.

If you are a federal employee you are required to submit your most recent Rating of Record (Performance Appraisal) or a statement saying that one is not available.

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.

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