PATHWAYS STUDENT INTERN (Law Clerk)

Please be sure that you have read and meet the Pathways program requirements under the Requirements section. Then, to further meet the minimum qualifications for this position, review the following grade specific education requirements to determine full eligibility before applying. 

Note that if you are graduating at the end of this current semester, and not continuing your education, you are not eligible for this internship.  You must be enrolled as a Law student while employed as an intern. 

Law Student Status: An eligible student is an individual who is enrolled in law school pursuing a Juris Doctor Degree or a LL. B Legum Baccalaureus Degree and is taking at least half-time academic course load in an American Bar Association accredited university. Successful candidates must have outstanding academic records, superior writing skills, and be in good academic standing at his/her university.

You must meet the following education requirements for each grade by the start of the internship (anticipated to start Fall 2024). You may use 2024 in-progress semester/quarter hours to qualify for a higher grade level. Qualifications will be determined based on completed and in-progress hours stated on your unofficial transcript submitted at the time of application. To be qualifying, you must successfully complete and receive credit for the courses and provide an updated official transcript before you enter on duty. Apply to the grade(s) that you will be eligible for and provide the applicable supporting documentation.

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must be a current second- or third- year law student whom has met the education requirements below for each grade which you are requesting consideration for.  Transcript(s) are required for verification.

• GS-07 - Completion of one academic year of graduate level education (above a bachelor's).
• GS-09 - Completion of two academic years of graduate level education (above a bachelor's), or awarded a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.

Academic year definition: For qualification purposes, an academic year of graduate education is the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 academic year of full-time study. This determination is made based on normal course loads for a full year of study in the graduate program. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement for the GS-07; and 36 semester hours for 2 years of full-time study should be considered as satisfying the GS-09 requirement.  Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

• When academic credit is expressed in contract months, units, or other terms that differ from conventional semester or quarter hours, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide an interpretation of such credits from the appropriate institution to equate them to the semester or quarter hours specified in the standard.

NOTE: If your law schools' definition of "academic year" differs from above, you must submit proof of this difference (e.g., copy of course catalog that defines an academic year). Absent this documentation, you will be screened for academic qualifications based on the academic hours as defined in the bullets above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
2. Oral Communication - Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
3. Research - Perform legal research with little or no direction.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).  Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.  You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For additional information about applying to Federal Pathways Internship Positions, please click on the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#url=Program-Fact-Sheets