Monday, November 24, 2014

FDA (HHS): Student Legal Trainee Internship

Job Title:Student Trainee (Legal)
Department:Department Of Health And Human Services
Agency:Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services
Job Announcement Number:HHS-OGC-PATH-15-1250878

SALARY RANGE:

$42,631.00 to $67,787.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Friday, November 14, 2014 to Friday, December 12, 2014

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-0999-07/09

POSITION INFORMATION:

Multiple Schedules - Internships

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

9

DUTY LOCATIONS:

Few vacancies in the following location:
Washington DC, DC View Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

Law Student/Internship Program Eligibles

SECURITY CLEARANCE:

Q - Nonsensitive

SUPERVISORY STATUS:

No

JOB SUMMARY:

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American!  At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere.  It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens.  Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is the legal team for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), providing quality representation and legal advice on a wide range of highly visible national issues. OGC supports the development and implementation of the Department's programs by providing the highest quality legal services to the Secretary of HHS and the organization's various agencies and divisions.
Opportunities are available in the following OGC offices and practice areas:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Division: Provides comprehensive legal services to the agency and is responsible for administering Medicare, Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Programs.

Children, Families, and Aging Division: Provides legal support in such areas as Head Start, child support enforcement, child abuse and neglect, foster care, adoption assistance, temporary assistance to needy families, and matters pertaining to senior citizens.

Civil Rights Division: Advises the HHS Office for Civil Rights staff on policy development, for example, medical records and privacy issues, as well as the conduct of civil rights investigations, enforcement proceedings and civil rights litigation.

Ethics Division: Provides advice and training to all HHS employees on Government ethics statutes and regulations, working closely with the White House Counsel and the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.

General Law Division: Provides legal advice and litigation support for matters such as appropriations, copyright law, Federal Tort Claims Act (including medical malpractice), the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act, Federal contract law, personnel law, equal employment opportunity, and labor relations.

Legislation Division: 
Drafts and analyzes bills affecting HHS programs while collaborating with other Federal organizations on Department-relevant bills introduced in Congress.

Public Health Division: Advises the Public Health Service, which includes the National Institutes of Health, the Indian Health Service, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on a myriad of issues including medical and biological research, women's health, and Native American health.

This Legal Internship Program is designed to attract students currently in law school. The work assignments are intended to complement your legal studies and provide an opportunity to expose you to the types of legal work done by attorneys who work for the Federal Government.

This is an excepted service appointment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

TRAVEL REQUIRED

  • Not Required

RELOCATION AUTHORIZED

  • No

KEY REQUIREMENTS

  • U.S. Citizenship is required or proof of legal residency.
  • May be required to undergo a pre-employment background investigation.
  • Must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Appointee must sign a Pathways Intern Program Agreement.
  • Must currently be enrolled in an ABA accredited law school.
  • Must have completed at least one full year of study by EOD.
  • Transcripts are required.

DUTIES:

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This is a legal intern position in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The position is full-time for part-time depending on the student's schedule during the school year. Incumbents will be responsible for performing work under the guidance of lawyers on a broad range of legal issues. Among other duties, incumbents will perform legal research, assist in the drafting of legal documents, and review and analyze documents.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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Pathways Program Eligibility:

To be eligible for the Pathways Internship Program, the individual must be enrolled or formally accepted for enrollment as a full-time or half-time basis at a qualifying educational institution.

Must maintain student eligibility and enrollment for the duration of the Internship, otherwise you are ineligible for this program.

If selected, you must sign a Pathways Participant Program Agreement; furnish course registration information at the start of each school term; and provide  verification of academic status (transcript) at the end of each academic term. 


Qualification Requirements: 


You must have a MINIMUM 2.75 (out of 4.0) cumulative law school grade point average (G.P.A.) or equivalent.
Note: Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example,  2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.
At the GS-7 level: Completion of one (1) full year of law school.

At the GS-9 level:  Completion of two (2) full years of law school.
An agency may convert an Intern noncompetitively from the Internship Program to a term or permanent position in the competitive service provided that all the terms of section 5 CFR 362.204 are met and there is an available position. However, conversion is not mandatory or guaranteed. U.S. citizenship is required to be eligible for conversion.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

You must provide an unofficial copy of your transcript at the time you submit an online application. An official transcript is required if selected.

All requirements must be met by the closing date of this public notice. 

You must provide a letter of academic good standing.

Foreign Education:  If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university.  For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/
Conditions of Employment:

1.  Security and Background Requirements:  If not previously completed, a background security investigation will be required for all appointees.  Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion of a background security investigation and favorable adjudication.  Failure to successfully meet these requirements may be grounds for appropriate personnel action.  In addition, if hired, a background security reinvestigation or supplemental investigation may be required at a later time.  Applicants are also advised that all information concerning qualifications is subject to investigation.  False representation may be grounds for non-consideration, non-selection and/or appropriate disciplinary action.

2.  E-Verify:  If you are selected for this position, the documentation that you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 will be verified through the DHS "E-Verify" System.  Federal law requires DHS to use the E-Verify System to verify employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is an E-Verify Participant.

3.  Direct Deposit:  All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing.

4.  All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

5.  Financial disclosure statement is not required.

6.  One-year probationary period may be required.

7.  Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid.

8.  Bargaining Unit Position:  No

9.  Drug Screening Required:  No

10.  Recruitment Bonus may be authorized:  No
11. Student loan repayment incentive authorized: No

12. Annual leave for non-federal service authorized: No

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Once the job opportunity announcement closes, a review of your résumé and supporting documentation will be made to determine if you are qualified for this job. Qualified candidates will be assigned to a quality category (Best-Qualified, Well-Qualified, and Qualified). The category assignment is a measure of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Note that any interview travel expenses will NOT be paid.

For Competitive Applicants/Student Program Eligibles: Eligible candidates will be assigned to a quality category: Best Qualified, Well Qualified or Qualified. Candidates in the highest category will be referred to the hiring agency.

Application of Veterans' Preference: 
Veterans' preference applies to all selections made under the Pathways authority in accordance with Part 302 of 5 CFR. The Category Rating process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category. Preference eligibles who meet the minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category (except in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-09 level or higher.)

The following competencies are required for this position:  
  
1. Ability to conduct legal research.
2. Ability to draft legal documents.
3. Ability to communicate orally.

To preview the assessment questionnaire, click the following link: View Occupational Questionnaire

BENEFITS:

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The Federal Government offers a comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits offered to most Federal employees at https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.

OTHER INFORMATION:

Veterans' Preference: If you are a veteran claiming 5-point veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) or an official statement from your command if currently on active duty. If you are claiming 10-point veterans' preference, in addition to the DD-214, you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) and the required supporting documents listed on that form. For more information on veterans' preference see http://www.fedshirevets.gov/.

Career Transition Program: The provisions of the Reemployment Priority List (RPL), Career Transition Assistance (CTAP) Program and Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) do not apply to the initial appointment or conversions of Pathways Programs participants to the competitive service.

Selective Service:
 The Defense Authorization Act of 1986 requires that all male applicants born after 12/31/59 who are required to register under the Military Selective Service Act, be registered or they are not eligible for appointment to this position. For further information concerning Selective Service requirements, go to: http://www.sss.gov/

HOW TO APPLY:

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Your application package must be complete by 11:59 p.m. (EST) on Friday, December 12, 2014.  You must apply online or by fax (see below for details).  Applications sent by mail (including e-mail) or hand-delivered will not be accepted.  Certain individualsare entitled to file a late application and must contact the Agency Contact listed below for details and application instructions.
Choose either Option A or Option B to apply for this position:
Option A: Online Application
Click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.   Follow the prompts to complete the on-line assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
If you need technical assistance with the online application process, please send an e-mail to ApplicationManagerHelpDesk@opm.gov.
Note: To return to a previously saved or incomplete application, use the following link:  https://applicationmanager.gov/ Track your progress to a Complete Application Package using the My Application Packages checklist and status displays in Application Manager.
To fax supporting documents that you are unable to upload:
1. Click here to print a fax cover page 
2. Complete all blocks on the cover page using 1250878.  Documents will not be processed if information is missing.
3. Fax the completed cover page and your documents to 1-478-757-3144.
Option B: Fax
If you cannot apply online, follow these steps to fax your complete application package.
1. Click the following link to print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire;
2. Print the 1203FX form, which you will use to provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire; and  
3. Fax the completed 1203FX (all 6 pages), your resume, and supporting documents (including those specified in the Required Documents section below) to 1-478-757-3144.  The 1203FX will serve as the cover page for your fax transmission and must be placed on top of all other documents.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
  • Your Résumé - You are encouraged to use the USAJobs online résumé builder to ensure that all required information is in your résumé. If you use your own résumé, curriculum vitae, or any other written form you choose then you must describe your job-related qualifications that include beginning and ending dates for paid and non-paid work experience, hours worked per week, month and year of employment for each job title listed.
  •  Original legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages)
  • Cover letter (no more than 2 pages). Please include the OGC office/division of preference (listed under Job Summary)
  • Responses to the Assessment Questionnaire
  • Law School transcript
Other Supporting Documents: (Only submit if applicable to you.)
  • Veterans' Preference documentation (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15, VA letter, etc.)
APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MIDNIGHT (EASTERN TIME) ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT
For Résumé and Application Tips visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Most_Effective_Resumes

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Laken Perry
Phone: (703)995-9625
Email: LAKEN.PERRY@HHS.GOV
Agency Information:
Washington HR Srvcs Center
200 Independence Ave SW
HHH Building
Suite 801
Washington, DC
20201

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

Once the online questionnaire is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful.  The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview.  We expect to make a selection within 45 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Once this process is completed (generally 4-6 weeks) you will receive notice via email or, by mail if no email address was provided by you during the application process.