Overview
Each semester the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General (OIG) selects one or two law students to participate in its legal intern program in Washington, D.C. OIG’s legal intern program is ideal for law students who are interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, government oversight, legislative affairs, or administrative law. In addition, students selected for the summer program will participate in the Summer Law Clerk Program organized by the Council of Counsels to the Inspectors General. The program allows students to learn about the inspector general community, to visit other federal agencies and Congress, and a variety of legal issues facing federal government lawyers.
Eligibility Criteria
Full-time and part-time law students who have completed at least two full semesters of legal study are eligible to apply. Candidates who are selected for the fall or spring semester must commit to working no fewer than 20 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Candidates selected for the summer must commit to working no fewer than 32 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks
Timeline
OIG Internships normally correspond to the semesters of a standard academic year. Interns should be willing to commit to the following schedules depending on the semester. Reasonable accommodations will be made for job interviews, class schedule, or other special circumstances.
Internship dates and deadlines are flexible. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis for all internship opportunities.
Compensation
Peace Corps positions are classified according to the Foreign Personnel (FP) pay plan (grade level system). Rising 2Ls may be compensated at the FP-9 level, 2Ls may be compensated at the FP-7 level, and 3Ls may be compensated at the FP-5 level. You can view the current pay schedule for the Washington-Baltimore area by checking the Department of State website at www.state.gov. Compensation under this program is subject to the annual federal appropriations process and the availability of funds for this purpose.
Alternatively, legal interns may work for school credit, provided they comply with their school’s requirements.
Duties:
- Conduct legal and policy research related to Peace Corps operations and government oversight issues.
- Track and analyze legislation affecting the inspector general community.
- Solicit and propose ways of addressing the views and concerns of the inspector general community in response to legislative initiatives and Congressional requests.
- Research legislative proposals or amendments to pending legislation.
- Assist in reviewing and revising, as appropriate, current Peace Corps and Office of Inspector manuals/policy to accurately reflect agency business practices as well as overall best practices.
- Provide support in editing OIG reports and memorandums
- Assist in researching and writing on specific law enforcement matters within the purview of the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General.
- Help support Office of Inspector General response to Freedom of Information Act Requests.
How to Apply
OIG accepts applications on a rolling basis. To be considered for OIG’s Legal Intern Program, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) to Sarah O’Neill Gerwin, Assistant Inspector General for Management and Administration, at peacecorpsoig-admin@peacecorpsoig.gov.