The Office of Consumer Litigation offers three types of positions for undergraduate and graduate college students, both paid and unpaid. Student positions are not limited to one semester or one summer. In addition, within certain guidelines, students are free to set their own schedules each semester and again during the summer break.

Students are selected on the basis of their GPA, availability, and commitment to the mission of the Office of Consumer Litigation.

Paid Part-Time Positions

Part-time student positions are offered on a regular basis in the Office of Consumer Litigation under the Department of Justice Stay-In-School program. As long as students are registered for classes at a college or university, they are eligible to work under this program. The pay scale for these positions is tied to the number of credits students have accumulated and fall within U.S. Government GS Levels 2-5. Minimum starting salary for 2004 is $9.65 per hour (GS-2), maximum is $13.22 per hour (GS-5). In addition, students are also eligible for reimbursement of their commuting costs on the Washington Metro system up to $65 per month. Students also accrue paid annual leave and paid sick leave in correlation with the number of hours worked each pay period. The Office is located one block from the Metro Center subway station.

Students work directly under the supervision of our paralegal team. Duties include general clerical work and multiple other tasks in support of a busy litigation office. The Office is responsible for the enforcement of several federal consumer protection statutes, many of which provide for both criminal and civil remedies. Because of its small size (currently 30 attorneys), the Office's enforcement efforts focus on cases in which consumers are unable to protect themselves. In addition, the Office defends the government in suits challenging policies of consumer protection agencies.

Minimum 12 hours are required per week.

Paid Full-Time Positions

On occasion, the Office has a need for a full-time secretary/receptionist. The guidelines for this position are the same as the part-time positions under the Stay-In-School program. This position is ideal for an evening student who would prefer a full-time or almost full-time position. In addition to trial support, this student is responsible for answering the telephone in the front office, as well as managing files and faxes, opening and sorting mail, and logging in consumer calls and consumer mail.

Minimum 32 hours are required per week.

Unpaid Internships

An opening for an unpaid student intern is currently unavailable but applicants may submit a resume starting January 1, 2005, for a summer position for that year. This position requires a 24-hour per week commitment during the summer months (June to August), flexible schedule available. Duties primarily involve reviewing and responding to incoming written consumer complaints. Training is provided in drafting responses, data systems, and consumer law. The position is unpaid, but school credit may be extended if all requirements are met.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR ALL POSITIONS:

Current GPA
Total number of credits accumulated
Current standing; i.e., sophomore, junior, graduate student, etc.

FAX your resume, along with the above requirements, to:
Office of Consumer Litigation (202) 514-8742

For paid positions, fax to the attention of Kiva Feldman
For unpaid internships, fax to the attention of Ken Maddox

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