Student Trainee (Legal)

About the role

The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB) is looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to serve as a Student Trainee (Legal). This is a temporary 2027 Summer Internship position.

This Job Opportunity Announcement (JOA) may be used to fill other Student Trainee (Legal), GS-0999-7 positions within the FRTIB in the same geographical location with the same qualifications and specialized experience.

What you will do

• The FRTIB is filling a Summer 2027 legal internship position.
• This position is expected to begin at the end of May or early June and will extend through the summer.
• In rare situations, this appointment may be extended.
• As a Student Trainee (Legal), you will: draft legal memorandums and briefs; assist with conducting legal research in the areas of pension, tax, administrative law, privacy, procurement, investments, and loan activities of the FRTIB; assist with legal analysis; and analyze factual and legal issues.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• All qualification requirements must be met prior to appointment.
• Must maintain student eligibility for the duration of the internship.
• Trial period may be required.
• Male applicant born after 12/31/1959 must certify registration with the Selective Service System or exemption.
• Background Suitability Investigation.
• Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and the granting of a federal suitability or security clearance.
• If selected, you may be offered tentative employment until the background investigation has been fully adjudicated.

Education

Foreign Education. If you are using education completed at foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign education programs.

Foreign education must be deemed equivalent to that gained at an accredited U.S. education program. For further information visit the U.S. Department of Education's website concerning foreign qualifications.

How you will be evaluated

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Writing - writes in an accurate, well-reasoned, logical, organized, clear and concise manner. Legal Research - knows how to find appropriate legal and factual information.

Legal Analysis - uses analytical skills, logic, and reasoning to evaluate legal issues. To preview the occupational questionnaire, click on the following link***

Once the application process is complete, a review of the resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the assessment questionnaire to determine if you are qualified for this job.

If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

Category Rating procedures will be used to rate and rank candidates. The category assignment is a measurement of the degree in which your background matches the competencies required for this position. Qualified candidates will be ranked into one of three categories: Best Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and excels in most requirements of the position.

Well Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements and meets most requirements of the position. Qualified - Meets the minimum qualification requirements, but does not possess the relevant competencies to a substantive degree.

The Category Rating process does not add veterans' preference points but protects the rights of veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligibles within each category.

Preference eligibles who meet the 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 in the case of scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher).

Documents you must provide

• Please be advised, the following documents are required even if you are already a current federal employee or employee of the FRTIB.
• Failure to submit any of the required documents by the closing date of the announcement will result in your removal from consideration from this position.
• Resume -Please include on your resume the experience you wish to be considered for the review of your qualifications, the dates of employment with month, day and year, and hours worked per week.
• Resumes that do not contain all of the necessary information to determine qualifications may be marked as insufficient and applicants may not receive consideration for this position.
• Your latest resume submission is the one that will be used to determine your qualifications.
• Only the first 2 pages of the resume/application will be used to verify minimum qualifications.
• Please be sure to include specific dates of employment and work schedule(s).
• Responses to the occupational questionnaire.
• Transcripts and Enrollment Verification - You must provide your transcripts to support your educational claims.
• Transcripts may be unofficial copies.
• Transcripts must be legible and possess the school name imprinted on the transcript or be on school letterhead.
• Transcripts must show you are currently enrolled (e.g., Fall 2026).
• If your transcripts do not reflect current enrollment (e.g., Fall 2026), you must provide a separate proof of enrollment document or acceptance for enrollment verification.
• Applications without transcripts or transcripts without the required information are considered incomplete and will be rated "Ineligible".
• Official transcripts and proof of continuing education through either the Summer or Fall 2027 semesters will be required if selected.
• If you are currently enrolled, but in your last semester/quarter of completing your degree/certificate requirements, you must provide proof of continuing education, such as an acceptance letter as part of your application package.
• Veteran Documentation - If you are claiming veterans' preference you must submit supporting documentation as described below.
• Visit the Feds Hire Vets website for more information regarding veterans' preference.
• Omitting these documents may result in no preference being adjudicated for you.
• These documents may include, but are not limited to: Veteran's documentation.
• All veterans must submit a DD-214, Member Copy 4.
• If you are currently on active duty, you must submit an official statement of service from your command or other official documentation that proves your military service was performed under honorable conditions.
• Preference eligible documentation.
• If claiming 10-point preference you must submit the final VA letter including percentage (please do not include letter from VA noting specific private medical information), as well as the DD-214 Member Copy 4.
• The SF-15 will be requested if selected.

What to expect next

Once your application package is received you will receive an acknowledgement email that your submission was successful. If your name is referred to the selecting official, you may be contacted directly by the office for a possible interview. You may also check the status of your application through your USAJOBS profile.

After the evaluation process is complete, you will receive another notification regarding the status of your application.

Additional information

Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.