Law Student Volunteer, Bureau of Justice Assistance (Fall 2024)

1-3 yrs required

Contract, Part-time

No

## Law Student Volunteer, Bureau of Justice Assistance (Fall 2024)

### Hiring Organization

Office of Justice Programs (OJP)

### Hiring Office

Bureau of Justice Assistance

### Job ID

JP-24-BJA-AVOL

### Location

810 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531 - United States

### About the Office

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is the largest grantmaking component of the Department of Justice and houses the Department’s criminal and juvenile justice-related science, statistics, and programmatic agencies. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, training and technical assistance, research and statistics, and other critical resources to advance work that strengthens community safety, promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, and builds trust between law enforcement and communities.

OJP's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system. BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide.

This internship is located in the BJA Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program Office of Legal Counsel. Enacted in 1976, the PSOB Program provides death, disability, and educational assistance to the families of fallen and catastrophically injured public safety officers.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

### Job Description

An internship with the PSOB Program will provide an opportunity for legal interns to participate in the day-to-day operations of a federal benefits program and will provide a wide range of claims-related experience, including case management, medical reviews, and administrative reviews of PSOB Office determinations. Interns will work across the spectrum of the PSOB Office on program issues as well as legal reviews.

Interns will assist with PSOB claims to gain a working knowledge regarding federal practice, and its intersection with worker's compensation and line of duty death benefits, as well as causation in complex factual and legal matters. Interns will experience first-hand the operations of the PSOB Office, from both an administrative and legal perspective.

Interns will assist the PSOB Legal Team and PSOB Office by engaging in legal research and writing, reviewing PSOB and Hearing Officer determinations and administrative records, and preparing matters for federal court.

Interns will be provided with an opportunity to supplement their formal legal education by working in a federal benefits office, allowing them to analyze complex legal and factual issues according to the PSOB law and its implementing regulations regarding death, disability, and education benefits, including but not limited to public safety officer status, eligible injuries, line of duty status, total and permanent disability, and coordination with state, local and federal benefits agencies, such as the Social Security Administration.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in federal practice, workers compensation, personal injury, administrative and government practices.

This internship may be performed fully remote.

### Qualifications

- First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students are encouraged to apply.
- Superior research and writing skills, detail-oriented, and a desire to be part of a vital team mission that provides benefits for the nation's fallen and catastrophically injured officers.
- Must be a . Citizen to apply.

### Application Process

Please submit:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume
3. Current law school transcript
4. Legal writing sample 5-10 pages in length

Submit all application materials in one, combined pdf document via email to , subject line JP-24-BJA-AVOL.

FALL 2024 APPLICATIONS DUE ON APRIL 30, 2024.
SPRING 2025 APPLICATIONS DUE ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: You may be required to travel to your nearest federal servicing office to secure a DOJ Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential (badge). This credential may be required to allow you access to the DOJ/OJP IT network via a government-issued laptop. Obtaining a PIV credential outside of the Washington, DC, metropolitan area may require two appointments. If offered an internship, you agree to travel to obtain a PIV credential, if required.

### Salary

Salary: Volunteer (uncompensated). Course credit, work-study, and externship opportunities are available depending on school

Course credit, work-study, and externship opportunities available

Law student currently enrolled in an accredited law school program

Submit cover letter, resume, current law school transcript, and legal writing sample via email to with subject line JP-24-BJA-AVOL.

Legal