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Internship Information

OLP 2024 Volunteer Summer Legal Intern

POSITION LOCATION: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy, Washington, D.C. 20530.

QUALIFICATIONS: First- , second- , and third-year law students.  Excellent research and writing skills with Lexis/Nexis and Westlaw proficiency.  Demonstrated commitment to the Department’s mission and prior work experience with legal policy, legislation, regulatory matters, or judicial nominations preferred but not required.

DATE POSITION AVAILABLE:
Summer: May - August
Fall: August - December
Spring: January - May

APPLICATION DEADLINES:
Summer Internship: Receiving Applications December 1 - February 15
Fall Internship: Receiving Applications April 1 - June 1
Spring Internship: Receiving Applications September 1 - November 1

ASSIGNMENT: Legal interns will conduct legal and non-legal research and analysis, prepare memoranda and talking points, and assemble briefing books and other materials relating to legal and policy issues for the Assistant Attorney General, Deputy Assistant Attorneys General, and other members of the office.

SALARY: For applicants who do not have access to law school, public interest, or other acceptable funding sources, a stipend may be available upon request.  Alternatively, interns can provide services in exchange for work-study credit.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Please submit a cover letter (specifying the dates of your availability and preference for remote work or telework), resume, and your most recent law school transcript (can be unofficial) in a consolidated PDF file (the file name to be saved as: YourLastName_YourFirstName_Fall2022InternApplication) to the following address via e-mail (OLPinbox@usdoj.gov).

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

OLP 2024 Volunteer Summer Technologist Intern

Hiring Organization

Office of Legal Policy (OLP)

Location

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530 - United States

Application Deadline

Friday, March 29, 2024

About the Office

The mission of the Office of Legal Policy (OLP) is to develop and implement the Department’s significant policy initiatives, handle special projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components, coordinate with other interested Department components and other Executive Branch agencies, and serve as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.  OLP also reviews and coordinates regulations promulgated by the Department and all of its components, and reviews draft regulations of other agencies that are circulated for review.  In addition, OLP assists the Attorney General and White House Counsel’s Office with responsibilities in vetting candidates for federal judgeships, and coordinates the judicial nomination and confirmation process with the White House and the Senate.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Job Description

OLP technologist interns will conduct research and analysis on issues involving technology and legal policy; prepare memoranda, talking points, and technical reports; and assemble briefing books and other materials relating to technology for members of the office and other components of the Department. This is a substantive, hands-on internship: OLP interns attend and participate in Department meetings and calls, as appropriate, and will meet and learn from professionals throughout the Department.  By the end of the internship, students should have a better awareness of how their technical interests interact with legal policy, whether to pursue a career in government service, and how the Department and other government agencies operate.

Minimum Weeks Required

6 weeks, 40 hours per week.

Internship Location

Washington, DC; on-site.  Approval for occasional telework days will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications

This internship is open to all graduate students in computer science, electrical engineering, information science, and similar technical disciplines.  Excellent technical analysis and writing skills are required.  The successful applicant will collaborate effectively with OLP and other Department colleagues, exercise sound judgment, and have a positive attitude.  Prior coursework, research, or professional experience in artificial intelligence or information security is required.

Demonstrated commitment to the Department’s mission and prior work experience with legal policy, legislation, or regulatory matters are preferred but not required.

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter (specifying the dates of your availability), CV, references, and your most recent graduate school and undergraduate transcripts (can be unofficial) in a consolidated PDF file (the file name to be saved as: YourLastName_YourFirstName_Summer2024InternApplication) to the following e-mail address: (OLPinbox@usdoj.gov).

Application Deadline

March 29, 2024. Please note that OLP will review applications and extend offers on a rolling basis.  Therefore, the hiring process may conclude prior to the March 29, 2024, deadline.

Salary

This position is unpaid. Applicants may be able to access academic institution, public interest, or other acceptable funding sources.

Number of Positions

Up to 4.

Travel

None.

Relocation Expenses

No.

[Same department policies as other internships.]

Department of Justice
Office of Legal Policy
Data Policy Detail
OLP DETAIL 24-POL-001D

Application Deadline: April 1, 2024
Applications will be reviewed and considered on a rolling basis.

Personnel needed

3

Commitment

Full-time detail

Length

6 to 12 months

Agency

U.S. Department of Justice

Who can apply

Open to all federal employees

Job family (Series)

Open to all job series.

Particular interest in professionals in the following series:

Location

Washington DC

Reimbursable

No

Travel expenses paid

No

Estimated start date

April 1, 2024

Estimated completion date

March 1, 2025

Summary

The Office of Legal Policy (OLP) at the Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking up to three federal professionals in fields such as social science, computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics, information technology, budget, human resources, investigation, or litigation for a non-reimbursable detail lasting six to twelve months to conduct policy work on a DOJ priority data project. 

The project will: (1) examine how DOJ’s investigative and prosecuting components use data analysis to identify crime trends and develop investigative leads and measure the effectiveness of their own enforcement efforts; and (2) develop interdisciplinary recommendations designed to improve DOJ’s data analysis capabilities and expertise. 

Prior experience working on policy, technology, systems management, data science, discovery matters, or experience using data to inform litigation decisions, preferred but not required. 

What you'll do

This position requires significant collaboration with DOJ components and other agencies on issues of policy development; problem solving; and management of technology, data, budget, and human capital.  Successful applicants will possess strong interpersonal skills necessary to achieve consensus among a diverse group of DOJ and external stakeholders with widely varying equities.  Significant opportunity to develop and utilize executive core qualifications in a results driven project focused on leading change, leading people, building coalitions, and relying on strong business skills. 

What you'll gain

  • Insight into DOJ leadership policy-development and decision-making process.
  • Exposure to law enforcement and litigating components. 
  • Networking opportunities within DOJ and the federal interagency. 
  • Accrual of skills associated with executive core qualifications.

Requirements:

  • Enthusiasm for learning and team/coalition building.
  • Leadership skills to advance a priority project with a team of diverse individuals.
  • Ability to facilitate and participate in programmatic and technical conversations with subject matter experts.
  • Be a US federal civil servant.

Note that while this detail assignment indicates an in-person commitment for 6 to 12 months, different arrangements will be considered on an individual basis.

How to Apply:

Applicants must submit a cover letter (highlighting relevant experience) and a resume or OF-612 (Optional Application for Federal Employment) to:

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Legal Policy (Attn: Data Policy Detail)

emailed to OLPinbox@usdoj.gov

No telephone calls please.

Please reference this announcement, OLP DETAIL 24-POL-001D, in your cover letter. This vacancy will be open until April 1, 2024, or until a selection has been made.

Who we are:

The mission of the Office of Legal Policy (OLP) is to develop and implement the Department's significant policy initiatives, handle special projects that implicate the interests of multiple Department components, coordinate with other Department components and Executive Branch agencies, and serve as the primary policy advisor to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.  OLP also reviews and coordinates regulations promulgated by the Department and all of its components, and reviews draft regulations of other agencies that are circulated for review.  In addition, OLP vets candidates for federal judgeships, and coordinates the judicial nomination and confirmation process with the White House and the Senate.  OLP is operating under a flexible work schedule, subject to Department guidance.

Department Policies:

The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of color, race, religion, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability (physical or mental), age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a parent, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, on the basis of personal favoritism, or any non merit factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys' Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that his or her retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that he/she was transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Read DOJ's Equal Employment Opportunity Policy