Summary This position is located in the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Departmental Appeals Board, headquartered in Washington, District of Columbia. IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION: It is anticipated that there will be significant interest in this announcement; as a result this announcement will close at 11:59 PM on the date of receipt of the 175th application or at 11:59 PM on 02/07/2025, whichever comes first. Responsibilities WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY As an Student Trainee (Legal), you will use your knowledge of and experience with Departmental Appeals Board to optimize business results and customer experience by: Providing authoritative legal advice, staff support, and assistance to Board Members, Division Directors, Branch Chiefs, or others involved in matters for which the assigned Division is responsible, on substantive and procedural issues. Reviewing and analyzing complex issues in assigned cases to resolve legal disputes. Preparing drafts of decisions, rulings, orders or memoranda containing legal analyses, or work under the guidance of an experienced mediator/facilitator to assist the parties to a dispute in reaching settlement and in preparing draft settlement agreements. As directed, serving as the DAB representative in dealings with the parties in an assigned case or with others. Scheduling and participating in evidentiary hearings, oral arguments, or mediation conferences that involve issues of limited complexity. Completing other assignments and special projects, as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Minimum Qualifications: To qualify for the Student Trainee (Legal Internship) position at the GS-07, all applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications: Have successfully completed one full year of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and be seeking a professional law degree (LL.B. or J.D.) and one of the bulleted items: Possess a 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale (however, we recognize that some law schools do not provide a GPA). Possess strong legal research and writing skills. (You must submit a copy of your transcripts. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package; however, official transcripts will be required prior to receiving an official offer.) NOTE: Graduates of 2025 are not eligible for selection for Summer Internship Program. First year law students are preferred. Documenting experience: IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Qualifications are based on breadth/level of experience. In addition to describing duties performed, applicants must provide the exact dates of each period of employment (from MM/YY to MM/YY) and the number of hours worked per week if part time. As qualification determinations cannot be made when resumes do not include the required information, failure to provide this information may result in disqualification. Applicants are encouraged to use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to develop their federal resume. Do not copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational application questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. In accordance with Office of Personnel Management policy, federal employees are assumed to have gained experience by performing duties and responsibilities appropriate for their official series and grade level as described in their position description. Experience that would not normally be part of the employee's position is creditable, however, when documented by satisfactory evidence, such as a signed memorandum from the employee's supervisor or an SF-50 or SF-52 documenting an official detail or other official assignment. The documentation must indicate whether the duties were performed full time or, if part time, the "percentage of times" the other duties were performed. It is expected that this documentation is included in the employee's official personnel record. In order to receive credit for experience in your resume that is not within the official series and grade level of your official position, you must provide a copy of the appropriate documentation of such experience as indicated above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through national Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to gain employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. If such experience is on a part-time basis, you must provide the average number of hours worked per week as well as the beginning and ending dates of the experience so it can be fully credited. OPM Qualification General Policies Website Education Pathways Internship Eligibility: Be currently enrolled or accepted for enrollment and seeking a degree (diploma, certificate, etc.) in an accredited college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate on a full or half-time basis. NOTE: You MUST provide proof that you are currently enrolled or have been accepted for enrollment in the next academic term on a full-time or part-time basis. Special Instructions for Foreign Education: If you are using education completed at foreign colleges or universities to meet qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by an accredited private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation, at the time of application, will result in lost of consideration. For more information, visit http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW Incentives may be authorized; however, this is contingent upon multiple factors, including funds availability. If authorized, certain incentives may require you to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a period of up to 3 years. Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid. Incentives may include the following: moving expenses, recruitment or relocation incentive; student loan repayment, superior qualifications appointment, creditable service for annual leave for prior non-federal work experience or prior uniformed military service, etc. Bargaining Unit Position: No Research position: No Drug Screening Required: No Veterans' Preference - https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/veterans/ Beginning January 1, 2010, agencies must seek prior approval from OPM before they can appoint a current or recent political appointee to a competitive or non-political excepted service position at any level under the provisions of title 5, United States Code. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you MUST disclose that to the Human Resources Office. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please see Agency Contact Info for whom to contact for more info. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. The DAB complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). The DAB does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity).