Student Legal Volunteer

Summary Are you looking for a meaningful internship that will give you a competitive edge, marketable experience, and knowledge of the Federal Government while making a difference in people's lives? Check out this opportunity from the Office of the Chairman to learn more about the office and the Federal Maritime Commission. We are seeking motivated law students who love a challenge and can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the office and agency! Responsibilities The Student Legal Volunteer program in the Office of the Chairman is designed to provide law students with a variety of real-world federal agency legal experiences. The work normally assigned to a student legal volunteer will include: Assisting the Chairman's office in researching and analyzing legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda, and other legal material; and Preparing legal memoranda on assigned questions in connection with matters before the Commission or the courts. This position will be open until filled or until January 6, 2025, whichever comes first. Requirements Conditions of Employment Duration of Internship: Students should be available from May until August 2025 and be able to work at least 20 hours per week (40 hours per week preferred) for a minimum of eight weeks. Conditions of Student Volunteer Program: Selectees must submit school transcripts (unofficial is acceptable) and proof of enrollment in a degree or certificate-seeking program at an accredited institution. Student volunteers do not receive payment of any kind from the FMC, except approved volunteers may be eligible for a transit subsidy. Students must sign and adhere to the FMC's Student Volunteer Service Agreement. A representative from selectee's school must sign the FMC's Student Volunteer Service Agreement form. Although optional, students are encouraged to work with their school's academic advisor to request course credit for the Student Volunteer Program. Qualifications All applicants must meet the basic requirements to be considered eligible by the close of this announcement. Successful candidates will possess: knowledge of basic legal principles and concepts to interpret and apply a body of law, regulations, precedents, and practices covering recurring types of legal actions encountered by the Commission; the knowledge and ability to perform legal research; and knowledge of legal techniques and skills necessary to analyze both issues of fact and issues of law in order to prepare digests of case decisions, evaluate the applicability of precedents, or to draft briefs or other litigation papers. Candidates also should be proficient in MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or similar software, sufficient to prepare documents, spreadsheets, and other work products; have the ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing; and be able to work independently and in a team-oriented environment. You must be a United States Citizen and at least 18 years old; AND Enrolled as a student on at least a half-time basis and as defined by your educational institution and be in good academic standing as defined by your educational institution; AND Submit proof of student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the student volunteer opportunity. Students must maintain student eligibility and enrollment throughout the duration of the student volunteer opportunity and must be actively enrolled at an accredited institution. Students who have graduated or will graduate prior to the completion of the Student Volunteer Program commitment are ineligible to participate without proof of future enrollment at an accredited educational institution. Specific work schedules vary and will be set upon selection. Education must be from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants should report only attendance and/or degrees from accredited institutions. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: U.S. Department of Education Education All applicants must submit their academic transcripts in order to be eligible. The transcripts may be unofficial or official and must show your status as a student, as well as support your educational claim. Student Status: Definition of a student- applicant must be enrolled in an accredited two year or four year college or university, graduate or professional school. You must be considered in good academic standing. Individuals must be taking at least a half-time academic, vocational, or technical course leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. "Half-time" is defined by the school in which the student is enrolled Additional Information Be sure to read the "How to Apply" and "Required Documents" Sections. Service is not creditable for leave or any other employee benefits. Student interns may be eligible to receive a federal transit benefit to help pay for mass transit for their home-to-work commute. Accepted student volunteer interns are not considered to be Federal employees for any purpose other than for the purpose of: The Federal Tort Claims provisions published in 28 U.S.C. 2671 through 2680 which enables individuals (that are not Federal employees) who are injured by negligent or wrongful acts of Federal employees acting within the scope of their employment to submit claims for compensation for those injuries to the Federal Government. Claims related to injuries to Federal employees sustained during performance of work assignments under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 81.