STUDENT TRAINEE (LEGAL)

This position is part of DFAS's Pathways Program, for current students/individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, full or half-time basis. This is a PAID summer internship, running May - August. Applicants who indicate they meet the minimum qualifications will receive an email from assessments@USAHire.opm.gov to complete online assessments. Check your "Spam"/"Junk" folders. See below for more information!

Duties

• As a Legal Student Trainee, you will do some or all of the following;

• Receive training in the principles, practices, concepts, work processes, regulations and statutes of one or more General Counsel functional areas designed to provide a career oriented introduction to DFAS and the General Counsel.

• Assignments include developmental experiences to prepare the incumbent for increasingly more complex work in the General Counsel arena. Assignments may be supplemented by on-the-job and/or formal training in the occupation.

• Independently plan, organize, and conduct studies of legal issues and cases generally encountered in the assigned area.

• Performs research on assignments from the Directorates Deputy General Counsel (DGC) and Assistant DGC by examining legal documents, historical files, and other legal resources on inquiries relating to a myriad of legal subjects.

• Examination is to evaluate the procedural and technical sufficiency of the action or legal matter; and, to evaluate factual and other information presented.

• Utilize manual and automated legal research methods to locate, extract, and compile relevant materials to assist the legal staff.

• Identifies pertinent facts and issues for research, suggests legal interpretations of reference materials, and prepares initial summary recommendations for attorneys.

• Drafts and edits legal and non-legal memoranda, research reports, and correspondence.

Salary

• $23.71 - $30.82/hour

Conditions of Employment

• Must be a U.S Citizen or National
• This national security position, which may require access to classified information, requires a favorable suitability review and security clearance as a condition of employment. Failure to maintain security eligibility may result in termination.
• Registered for Selective Service (males born after 12-31-1959)
• Suitable for Federal employment
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time student.
• Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Must maintain student eligibility for the duration of internship.
• This is a temporary appointment not to exceed one (1) year.

Qualifications Requirements:

• 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.
• Enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time (Half-time basis is defined by the academic institution that the student is enrolled or accepted into) student into an accredited college or university in a qualifying degree-seeking program, or enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment in a qualifying certificate program;
• Students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) at time of application and must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA throughout the entire Pathways Student Trainee Internship appointment to remain in the Program;
• Applicants MUST submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with the online application (see Required Documents for additional details).
• Please Note: If you are graduating from your current academic program prior to September 2025 you will not be eligible for this student appointment unless you are accepted for enrollment at a qualifying educational institution seeking an ADDITIONAL qualifying degree, diploma, certificate, etc., OR an advanced degree. You MUST submit proof of acceptance along with your current transcripts for consideration.
• If selected, must sign a Pathways Participant Agreement; provide course registration information at the start of each school term; and provide verification of academic status (official transcript) at the end of each academic term.

In addition to meeting the above requirement, applicants must meet one of the following minimum qualifications:GS-07: One year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to that of the next lower grade (GS-05) within the federal service, which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position, is required.

• Specialized Experience is defined as: Performing legal research and analyzing laws, facts, evidence, and precedents; assisting with the preparation of legal memoranda; assisting attorneys in preparing legal documents and responding to inquiries on legal matters.

To qualify for this position, you must meet the selective placement factor described below. Your experience related to this requirement must be well-documented in your resume. Experience as a casual user of social media and networking tools is not minimally qualifying for this position.

Selective Placement Factor Requirement: Selected Placement Factors (SPF) are special qualification requirements, in addition to the minimum requirements, that are essential in successfully performing the duties of this job. If SPF experience is not documented in your resume, you will not receive further consideration under this vacancy announcement. In addition to the specialized experience/education requirement listed above, this position has the following selective placement factor(s): Completion of at least one year of enrollment at an accredited law school (NOTE: You must attach a copy of your transcripts for verification.) You will be rated INELIGIBLE if you do not possess the above noted Selective Placement Factor.

Volunteer Experience: 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 to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education GS-07: Substitution of Education for Experience: One full year of graduate level education may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html). Undergraduate Credit Information: 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is equal to 1 academic year above high school. For Study at a Business or Technical School: 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school. If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified". You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications. 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. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application. Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials. Other Information

• Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment.
• Telework availability will be based upon the mission requirements and supervisory determination.
• This internship opportunity will not start until May 2025 or later.
• The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here.
• Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement will work a full-time work schedule for at least eight weeks between the months of May through August.
• Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement may be offered the opportunity to work a part-time or full-time work schedule prior to May, if funding is available.
• We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date.
• A trial period may be required.
• This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This position is covered by a bargaining unit.
• Law interns do NOT have the opportunity to be non-competitively converted to positions in the competitive service since attorneys are in the excepted service pursuant to section 2.13.3102 of 5 CFR.
• This is a temporary appointment not to exceed one (1) year.
• All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact 317-212-0454 for assistance.
• Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. For Additional Information Visit: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule/
• Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. Resume: You are encouraged to choose only ONE method of submitting your resume. (HR will review the resume that the system date stamps as the latest one received and this may not be the resume, which best reflects your qualifications for the job and may result in an ineligible rating.) You may submit your resume by: attaching in your USAJOBS account; uploading in your Application Manager account; OR faxing. For assistance in preparing your resume, take a look at the DFAS Resume Tools.
2. Transcripts or proof of enrollment: You must submit documentation to verify your enrollment or acceptance in a degree program; confirm your cumulative GPA and/or verify your education if substituting for experience.
   • Current Transcripts: An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however if selected, an official transcript will be required. Transcripts MUST include the student's name, name of the school, current GPA, and past and current coursework. If your transcripts do not provide the information listed above, include additional documentation that meets the requirements.
   • Proof of Enrollment or Class Registration: If you are enrolled but have not yet registered for Spring of 2025 classes, please provide proof of acceptance or a letter from your academic institution indicating your intent for continued enrollment for Spring of 2025. The proof of acceptance must be from within the past year and specify the term of acceptance and academic program.
3. Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire and Additional Online Assessments.
4. You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume. Your cover letter will NOT be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.
5. Military Spouses: Spousal Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders and marriage certificate/license are required to claim Military Spouse Preference.
6. Other Supporting Documents.
7. If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.

The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status. They must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

1. Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation. Failure to do so WILL result in the loss of veteran's preference, and will possibly impact your placement on the certificate. For more veterans' information please click here.
2. You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service. Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position. The certification should also include your rank and dates of active duty service.

• If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability.
• If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
• Click to review veterans authorities and required documents that verify eligibility for VEOA, VRA and/or 30% or more disabled veterans hiring authorities http://www.dfas.mil/careers/howtoapply/vacancyannouncement/appointment-eligibility.html .

WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST)
11/26/2024, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration. To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information. The Details page will display the status of your application. It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate. HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

How to Apply

Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply for this position, you must complete the initial online application, to include submission of the required documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:

1. To begin the application process, click the Apply Online button.
2. Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
3. Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/26/2024.
4. After submitting an online application, you will be notified whether or not you are required to take additional online assessments through the USA Hire Competency Based Assessment system. This message will be delivered to you both on screen and via email notification.
5. If you are asked to take the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be presented with a unique URL to access the USA Hire system. Access to USA Hire is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials. Be sure to review all instructions prior to beginning your USA Hire Assessments. Note, set aside at least 3 hours to take these assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue at a later time, you can re-use the URL sent to you via email and also found on the Additional Application Information page that can be located in the application record in your USAJOBS account.

To update your application, including supporting documentation, at any time during the announcement open period by return to your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login). There you will find a record of your application, the application status, and an option to Update Application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.

To verify the status of your application both during and after the announcement open period, log into your USAJOBS account: https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login. All of your applications will appear on the Welcome page. The application record in your USAJOBS account provides an Additional Application Information page that provides information regarding the documentation you submitted and any correspondence we have sent related to this application. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

Reasonable Accommodation Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in your online application. Requests for Reasonable Accommodations for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for Reasonable Accommodation must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for Reasonable Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. To determine if you need a Reasonable Accommodation, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here: https://help.usastaffing.gov/Apply/images/d/d0/USA_Hire_Reasonable_Accommodation_FAQs_-_Dec2016.pdf

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits