Summary
The Environment and Natural Resources Division, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, enforces federal environmental laws and defends the federal government in complex civil litigation under a broad range of environmental statutes. With offices across the United States, the Division is the Nation's environmental lawyer and the largest environmental law firm in the country.
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Seeking students currently pursuing a law degree.
Duties
Our mission is to enforce the Nation's civil and criminal environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and hazardous waste laws. Our mission also involves the protection of the Nation's natural resources and handling cases relating to tribal rights and resources. The Division's efforts result in significant public health and other direct benefits to the American people through the reduction of pollution across the Nation and the protection of important natural resources.
The Division is organized into 10 sections:
Appellate
Environmental Crimes
Environmental Defense
Environmental Enforcement
Executive Office
Indian Resources
Land Acquisition
Law and Policy
Natural Resources
Wildlife and Marine Resources
The Division is also home to the Office of Environmental Justice, established by the Attorney General in 2022 to enhance the Department's efforts to secure environmental justice for all communities. The office works in collaboration with the Civil Rights Division, the Office of Tribal Justice and other partners to coordinate environmental justice activities among Department of Justice components and United States Attorneys' Offices nationwide.
Law clerks assist the Division's lawyers in litigating cases in federal district and appellate courts. Responsibilities typically include conducting legal research and drafting pleadings, discovery documents and legal memoranda dealing with a variety of federal environmental and natural resource issues. The Division handles cases covering a broad spectrum of issues including the listing of endangered species, civil and criminal enforcement of federal pollution control laws, and defense of federal agency actions under environmental and natural resources laws. Law clerks will have the opportunity to observe court hearings, moot courts, and other events that may occur in Washington D.C., such as depositions, settlement conferences, or client meetings.
The ENRD Law Clerk Program not only provides students with invaluable academic and career experience, but also includes benefits such as a mentoring program, social events, training and networking opportunities. Past examples include a lecture program specifically for law clerks with the Attorney General, a meet and greet session with the ENRD Assistant Attorney General and Section Chiefs, a workshop on resumes and interview tips, jobs panels on applying for different government jobs, a career fair, and a trail hike.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
You must be a U.S. citizen or national.
You must successfully complete a background check and drug testing prior to appointment.
You must have been a resident of the United States for at least 36 months out of the previous 5 years prior to your prospective start date.
Active-duty military and Foreign Service employees posted abroad are exempt from the above requirement.
Qualifications
The Environment and Natural Resources Division is seeking students with:
Strong academic accomplishments
Strong research and writing skills
An interest in ENRD key areas, litigation, and/or public interest law
Successful completion of at least one introductory environmental law or administrative law course is beneficial but not required
Education
Must be enrolled in an accredited School of Law and pursuing a course of study to obtain either a J.D. or LL.M. equivalent. This position is only open to law students who will be a 2L or 3L during the Fall 2023 semester.
Additional information
Number of Positions: 20 or More
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses not authorized. Some remote opportunities available.
Reasonable Accommodations: This agency 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 agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.
Suitability and Citizenship:
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov//working-in- government/non-citizens/).
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Benefits
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience you report relative to this position. Paid and unpaid experience will be considered.
Required Documents
See the HOW TO APPLY Section on documents required for your application.
Do not include the following types of information in your profile or resume:
Classified or government sensitive information
Social Security Number (SSN)
Photos of yourself
Personal information, such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.
Encrypted and digitally signed documents
How to Apply
To apply, send a single email to applyintern.enrd@usdoj.gov with the subject line: [Last Name, First Name] Fall 2024 Law Clerk Application. Attach the following 6 materials:
Section Application Form (posted at www.justice.gov/enrd/internships). This form requires you to select which of ENRD's ten Sections you are applying to. This announcement may be used to fill limited volunteer positions in the Office of Environmental Justice. Your application will only be evaluated by the Sections you select on your Section Application Form.
Cover letter, which must include the number of weeks you are available to work along with your preference for in-person, hybrid or remote work. There is a minimum 10-weeks commitment.
Resume, which must include your country of citizenship.
Writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages).
Copy of your most recent transcript (official or unofficial).
Three references with contact information, including telephone and email (letters of recommendation are not required).
All documents must be submitted in PDF format as 6 separate attachments. Applications will not be reviewed until the close of the announcement period.
Application Deadline: 04/22/2024
Agency contact information
Jolene Russell
Phone
(202) 616-8705
Fax
202-514-0097
Email
Jolene.Russell@usdoj.gov
Address
ENRD Executive Office
150 M Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
US
Next steps
Once your application package is received, you will receive an acknowledgement email. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility prior to being evaluated by the hiring committee. Candidates selected for consideration will be notified. Please allow at least 4-6 weeks after the vacancy has closed to inquire about the status of your application.