Honor Law Graduate Program - Legal Intern / Attorney

Summary

Each year, the NRC selects a small number of graduating law students or judicial law clerks to serve in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC's) Honor Law Graduate Program (HLGP). Established in 1972, the HLGP is the primary mechanism for hiring entry level attorneys at the NRC. As an Honor Law Graduate, you will serve in a two-year program consistent of rotational assignments through different OGC divisions in order to gain broad exposure to the diverse legal practice at the NRC.

Duties

• The Honor Law Graduate Program allows you to collaborate with seasoned attorneys and work independently on a variety of assignments, such as the following: participating in administrative litigation involving activities and facilities licensed by the NRC reviewing environmental impact statements with technical staff drafting propsed regulations for new or revised safety standards assisting in the review and litigation of employment law matters, government contracts, fiscal law, and security issues researching and preparing briefs for submission to the federal courts of appeals.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the Honor Law Graduate Program, you must meet the qualification criteria listed below. Please read carefully to determine the grade at which you would qualify based on your education and specialized experience. GG-11: 1. A third-year law student (3L) at an American Bar Association accredited law school who will earn a J.D degree no later than June 2026-2027 academic year; or - a graduate of American Bar Association accredited law school who will earn an LL.M. degree no later than June of the 2026-2027 academic year -or a J.D degree and current judicial law clerk or licensed attorney with less than one year of judicial law clerk or attorney experience within 30 days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement and 2. Be in at least the upper (30%) of your law school class and/or have an overall grade point average (GPA) and at least a 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. Note: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school's grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE includes educational, academic, or work-related experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, government contracts, fiscal law, information law, administrative law and procedure, or regulatory law. GG-12: 1. a J.D degree; or - an LL.M degree and -a current judicial law clerk or licensed attorney with a minimum of one year or judicial law clerk experience or attorney experience within 30 calendar days of the closing date of the vacancy announcement and 2. Be in at least the upper (30 %) of my law school class and /or have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 based on a scale of 4.0. Note: If your law school does not calculate class rank, and also does not provide traditional grades or a GPA, you should include a link to the school's grading policy and should provide a narrative explanation of how your law school performance correlates with our requirements. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE includes educational, academic, or work-related experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, government contracts, fiscal law, information law, administrative law and procedure, or regulatory law. Admissions to the Bar is not a prerequisite to applying and being considered for the Honor Law Graduate Program but is expected during the first year of NRC employment. Recent law school graduates who join the NRC before Bar examination results are available will provide evidence of Bar membership as soon as possible after admissions. Selectees who are not admitted to the bar within 2 years may be separated from the NRC. The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate the following: experience in nuclear energy law, NRC practice, environmental law, government contracts, employment law, labor relations, government contracts, fiscal law, information law, administrative law and procedure, or regulatory law. Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the result of that analysis orally and in writing (evidence of relevant employment and experience or internship, academic achievement, extracurricular law school activities). Ability to perform legal analysis and communicate the results of that analysis in writing as evidenced by an unedited writing example. A description of how you possess the specialized experience as well as how you meet the qualifications desired in an ideal candidate must be addressed in your resume. Applicants may also use the supplemental vacancy question to provide additional information pertaining to the specialized experience and ideal candidate criteria. PLEASE BE CLEAR AND CONCISE. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Requirements

You must meet the qualifications for this position by no later than 30 calendar days after the closing date of this announcement and before placement in the position. All information in your resume must be true and accurate. Conditions of Employment: U.S. Citizenship Required This is a Drug Testing position Must be able to meet and maintain security & suitability requirements. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

You must possess a professional law degree acquired through graduation from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association no later than June of the 2026 - 2027 academic year. You must include an unofficial or official copy of your college/university and law school transcripts with your application. Transcripts can be unofficial but must include the applicant's current academic standing and GPA. All transcripts pertaining to the grade level for which you are applying are required for verification purposes. Please do not have your school send your official transcript separately from your application - an official transcript will be requested if you are selected. Transcript must include the School Name, Student Name, Degree and Date Awarded (if applicable). Education must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you have multiple degrees (e.g., BS, MS, PhD) please submit transcripts for each degree. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.

How to apply

Please read the entire announcement and all instructions before you begin an application. To be considered for this position, you must complete the online application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 10/18/2026. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. For a preview of the application questions, please see https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13037564. To begin your application, select the "Apply" button located on the right side of this screen. Follow the subsequent prompts to log in or register, submit all required documents, answer the questions, and complete the application process. You may either select your required documents within your USAJOBS profile to upload with your application or directly upload them during the application process. The following types of document types can be uploaded: .gif, jpg., .jpeg, .png, .rtf, .pdf, .doc, and .docx. Important Considerations: Paper Applications: Paper applications will not be accepted unless you can demonstrate hardship circumstances through the agency contact listed below. Application Extensions: Requests for application extensions will not be granted. Hardship Assistance: If you experience hardship applying online, please contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below for assistance. You must reach out during business hours before the announcement closing date and speak with someone who can provide support for your online submission. The NRC provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the coordinator at (301) 415-5888 or TDD 240-482-3217. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Your complete application must include your resume, responses to all required vacancy questions, and any required documents that prove your eligibility to apply.