Student Volunteer Legal Intern
The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The mission of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) is to strengthen the integrity, economy and efficiency of DOE programs and operations including deterring and detecting fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement. Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the DOE OIG has independent statutory authority to carry out its mission.
The DOE OIG has an opportunity open within its Office of Counsel for a rising 2L or 3L law student. The law student selected from this announcement will work with the attorneys in the Office of Counsel, which has its Headquarters Office in Washington, D.C., to perform a wide variety of substantive legal duties. If requested, and if possible, the DOE OIG will assist the legal intern with obtaining academic credit from their law school.
Preference will be given to applicants in, or willing to be based in, the DC area. However, the OIG is willing to consider applicants within commuting distance of other OIG field offices. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal internship will likely be virtual. Due to the sensitive nature of the OIG’s work, the legal intern must be a U.S. Citizen who is able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust suitability determination.
As a volunteer legal intern, you may:
- Research the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Department of Energy Acquisition
Regulation (DEAR)
- Analyze whistleblower protection laws, regulations, and policies
- Draft OIG subpoenas and provide other assistance
- Compile background information and participate in conference calls
- Review government contracts and agreements
- Assist with reviews of planned releases under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
- Gain exposure to personnel law and write legal briefs and analysis