College Intern (Non-Law Student Volunteer) - Spring 2027

Summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is distinct among U. S. Attorney's Offices due to the breadth and scale of its work. It acts as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Locally, it handles cases ranging from misdemeanor drug possession to murders, while federally, it handles cases ranging from child pornography to gangs, financial fraud, and terrorism. The Office also represents the district in civil suits.

Duties

• The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ranging from misdemeanors to homicides, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals (DCCA). On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. AUSAs assigned to the Appellate Division argue the direct appeals of all criminal convictions in both the local and federal Courts of Appeal. AUSAs in the Special Proceedings Division handle post-trial litigation involving habeas claims, record sealing, and other requests for extraordinary relief in the trial courts. The Civil Division further defends the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is seeking college interns (non-law student volunteers) for our unpaid Spring Internship Program, which runs from January 11, 2027 to April 30, 2027. Assignments for non-law student volunteers may involve clerical tasks and other litigation support responsibilities. Interns may also attend depositions, summarize transcripts, join attorneys in meetings, and observe court proceedings. In addition, interns may have assignments such as legal research, evidentiary and documentary review, and trial preparation. This internship experience provides unique exposure to the inner workings of the criminal justice system and participants receive invaluable mentorship from some of the nation's best litigators. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Qualifications

To be eligible for this internship ALL of the following requirements must be met: Student Status: Definition of a student - applicant must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited two-year or four-year college or university, graduate/professional school, or certificate program equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study (go to http://www.ed.gov/accreditation to verify accreditation status) pursuant to 5 CFR 362. You must be considered in good academic standings by the school. Individuals must be taking at least a half-time academic course load leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. "Half-time" is defined by the school in which the student is enrolled. Citizenship: Student Interns must be United States citizens or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. (Currently, natives of American Samoa, Swains Island and certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are the only groups that owe permanent allegiance to the United States.)Background Investigation: You must successfully complete a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment. Qualification requirements as outlined below. Applicants with a strong academic background, excellent research and writing skills, an eye for detail, and a commitment to fairness and integrity supporting the administration of justice are encouraged to apply. Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA or a GPA that ranks you in the top half of your class.

Education

All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov. Foreign Education Note: You may use foreign education to meet qualification requirements if you send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency in with your transcript. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/16/2026 to receive consideration. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.) 3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, http://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, please click the following link:https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13042514 You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online, contact HR Operations USAO-DC at or [email protected] as soon as possible to arrange an alternative application process.