LEGAL INTERN

About the role

This position is part of DFAS's Pathways Program, for current students/individuals accepted for enrollment in a qualifying educational program in an accredited institution, full or half-time basis. This is a PAID summer internship, running May - August.

Applicants who indicate they meet the minimum qualifications will receive an email from *** to complete online assessments. Check your "Spam"/"Junk" folders. See below for more information!

What you will do

• Assignments include developmental experiences to prepare the incumbent for increasingly more complex work in the General Counsel arena.
• Assignments may be supplemented by on-the-job and/or formal training in the occupation.
• Independently plan, organize, and conduct studies of legal issues and cases generally encountered in the assigned area.
• Performs research on assignments from the Directorates Deputy General Counsel (DGC) and Assistant DGC by examining legal documents, historical files, and other legal resources on inquiries relating to a myriad of legal subjects.
• Examination is to evaluate the procedural and technical sufficiency of the action or legal matter; and, to evaluate factual and other information presented.
• Drafts and edits legal and non-legal memoranda, research reports, and correspondence.

Education

GS-07: Substitution of Education for Experience: One full year of graduate level education may be substituted to meet the specialized experience requirement. Equivalent combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements.

If you are using education to substitute for the specialized experience, you must submit transcripts at the time you apply. To be creditable, education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (***).

Undergraduate Credit Information: 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours is equal to 1 academic year above high school. For Study at a Business or Technical School: 36 weeks of study (20+ classroom hours per week) is comparable to 1 academic year above high school.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified".

You may need to send proof of education or of certification to be considered for this position. Click here for more information on who must submit documentation at the time of application and what documentation is acceptable: Transcripts and Certifications.

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence at the time of application.

Late submissions of proof of accreditation will not be accepted. Click on the link for a list of accredited organizations recognized as specializing in interpretation of foreign education credentials.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications and education requirements above.You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Attention to Detail Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Learning Problem Solving Self-Management Technology Application Online Assessments and Questionnaire Information: Applicants who indicate they meet the minimum qualifications will receive an email invitation from *** to complete online assessments.

The email may appear in a "Spam" or "Junk" folder. Please plan to set aside three (3) hours for the assessments; however, most people are expected to complete the assessments in about 90 minutes.

You must complete all of the required assessments within 48 hours after the close of this Job Announcement to be eligible for this position.

Your results will be kept on record for use when applying for future jobs that require these assessments. You will not be allowed to re-take an assessment for one year. If you have completed all of the required assessments previously and these results may be re-used, you will receive an email stating you have already completed the required assessments.

For more information, you may view USA Hire Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at *** Computer requirements or technical assistance: *** Your results on these assessments will be used to place you into one of the three quality categories listed below according to Category Rating and Selection Procedures.

In addition, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be used to verify you meet the qualifications for this job. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and may be interviewed prior to selection. You will be notified of the outcome.

Qualified Category - Meets the minimum qualifications as described in the Qualifications section of this announcement. Highly Qualified Category - Exceeds the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates proficiency in some of the job-related competencies based on the answers to the USA Hire Assessment.

Best Qualified Category - Exceeds the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrates a high level of proficiency in the job related competencies based on the answers to the USA Hire Assessment.

Application of Veterans Preference: The Category Rating Method does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three," but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

Preference eligible's who meet minimum qualification requirements and who have a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent must be listed in the highest quality category, except when the position being filled is scientific or professional at the GS-9 grade level or higher.

A selecting official may make selections from the highest quality category (Best Qualified) provided no preference eligible in that category is passed over to select a non-preference eligible in that category unless the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3317(b) or 3318(b) are satisfied.

Documents you must provide

• You are required to submit a 2-page maximum resume.
• Applicant guidance on the two page resume requirement may be found at *** or at ***
• Transcripts or proof of enrollment: You must submit documentation to verify your enrollment or acceptance in a degree program; confirm your cumulative GPA and/or verify your education if substituting for experience.
• Current Transcripts: An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however if selected, an official transcript will be required.
• Transcripts MUST include the student's name, name of the school, current GPA, and past and current coursework.
• If your transcripts do not provide the information listed above, include additional documentation that meets the requirements.
• Proof of Enrollment or Class Registration: If you are enrolled but have not yet registered for Spring 2027 classes, please provide proof of acceptance or a letter from your academic institution indicating your intent for continued enrollment for Spring 2027.
• The proof of acceptance must be from within the past year and specify the term of acceptance and academic program.
• Complete initial Eligibility Questionnaire and Additional Online Assessments.
• You may submit a cover letter which will be forwarded to the selecting official with your resume.
• Your cover letter will NOT be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility.
• Other Supporting Documents.
• If you are requesting a reasonable accommodation to the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, submit documentation to support your request, including the Reasonable Accommodation Request Form found here.
• The following supporting documents are ONLY required if applicable to your personal qualifications or status.
• They must be received by the closing date of the announcement.
• Veterans Preference: If you are claiming veteran's preference, you MUST submit the appropriate documentation.
• Failure to do so WILL result in the loss of veteran's preference, and will possibly impact your placement on the certificate.
• For more veterans' information please click here.
• You must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active duty service, type of discharge and the character of service.
• Alternatively, If you are a current military member in active duty service and do not have a copy of your DD Form-214, you must submit a written documentation (certification) from your branch of service certifying that you are expected to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted with your application for this position.
• The certification should also include your rank and dates of active duty service.
• If claiming 10-point preference and/or are a 30% or more Disabled Veteran, you must submit both a DD Form-214 or expected discharge documentation as described above AND a copy of a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or your branch of service certifying the presence of service-connected disability and indicating the percentage of disability.
• If you are claiming eligibility based on 10-point derived veterans' preference (i.e. a spouse, widow/widower, or parent of a veteran claiming veterans' preference when the veteran is unable to use it), you must also submit a Standard Form 15 (SF-15) "Application for 10-Point Veteran's Preference" and any required documents indicated on the SF-15 to substantiate the claimed preference.
• Click to review veterans authorities and required documents that verify eligibility for VEOA, VRA and/or 30% or more disabled veterans hiring authorities *** .
• WARNING: Failure to submit a complete application package including any required documentation by 11:59 PM (EST) 10/07/2026, or at the time of application for announcements with an extended closing date, may result in an ineligible rating and loss of consideration.
• To verify that your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status and More Information.
• The Details page will display the status of your application.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered, uploaded, or faxed is received, legible and accurate.
• HR will not modify answers submitted by an applicant.

What to expect next

The resume you submit will be used to assess your qualifications for the job and to identify the best-qualified applicants to be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interviews. We will notify you of the outcome after each of these steps is completed.

After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation.

Additional information

Selections are subject to restrictions resulting from the DoD Program for Stability of Civilian Employment. Telework availability is limited and will only be provided on a rare case-by-case basis during situations where Agency Leadership has determined that telework serves a compelling DoD need. This internship opportunity will not start until May 2027.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 makes certain reimbursements/payments taxable. For information on these changes and the Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA), for which some appointees are eligible, click here. Individuals selected from this vacancy announcement will work a full-time work schedule for at least eight weeks between the months of May through September.

We may use this announcement to fill additional vacancies within 90 days of the closing date. This position is Non-Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act. This position is not covered by a bargaining unit.

Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance. Law interns do NOT have the opportunity to be non-competitively converted to positions in the competitive service since attorneys are in the excepted service pursuant to section 2.13.3102 of 5 CFR.

This is a temporary appointment not to exceed one (1) year. All applicants are encouraged to apply electronically. If you are unable to apply on-line, you may contact *** for assistance.

Pay for first time hires to the Federal Government will typically be set at step 1 salary range for their respective grade level. Retired Civil Service Employee: Employment of retired Federal employees receiving an annuity is subject to the requirements of the Department of Defense (DoD) policy guidance.