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Career Opportunities

The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section has, as outlined below, full-time positions, law internships, and undergraduate and graduate internships.

The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, status as a parent, membership or non-membership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace, and the candidate(s) selected will be required to pass a drug test to screen for illegal drug use. Career Opportunities, including internships, are also contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation adjudicated by the Department of Justice.

Full Time Positions

Attorney positions are advertised on DOJ's Legal Careers website.. For positions of other types, consult the Office of Personnel Management's USAJobs website (https://www.usajobs.gov/).


Law Intern Positions

Criminal Division
Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section

U.S. Department of Justice
1301 New York Avenue, N.W., 2nd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20530

ATTN:  Intern Coordinator

Email: HRSPInterns@usdoj.gov

The mission of the Human Rights and Specials Prosecutions Section is to enforce federal laws relating to: (1) complex immigration and border crimes; (2) international human rights violations; and (3) certain federal crimes of violence committed outside the United States.

Internship Location(s):  Washington, DC

Application Process:  Please submit a single PDF file via e-mail that contains a cover letter (including dates available), resume, writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), transcript (official or unofficial), and three references.

Qualifications:  

Summer: Rising second- and third-year law students. Fall/Spring: Second- and third-year law students; full-time International or Comparative Law LL.M. candidates who are not employed while pursuing their advanced degree.

Applicants must have: (1) a strong academic background; (2) excellent research and writing skills; and (3) experience or interest in criminal and international law.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace, and the candidate(s) selected will be required to pass a drug test to screen for illegal drug use. Internship opportunities are also contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation adjudicated by the Department of Justice.

Application Deadline:

Summer: January 15
Fall: May 15
Spring: October 15

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Minimum Weeks Required:

Summer: 10 weeks or more; in special circumstances, HRSP may consider a shorter commitment
Fall/Spring: Full semester (15 to 20 hours per week; full time externships are also available)

Salary:  Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.

Assignments:  Law interns will conduct substantial legal research and writing assignments in the areas of international, criminal, and immigration law. Law interns will also conduct factual research, review and organize documents, and work on policy matters.


Undergraduate and Graduate Intern Positions

Criminal Division
Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section

U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 6746
Washington, D.C. 20530

ATTN:  Dr. Jeffrey S. Richter

Email:  hrsp.undergradintern@usdoj.gov

FAX:  (202) 616-2491

The mission of the Human Rights and Specials Prosecutions Section is to enforce federal laws relating to: (1) complex immigration and border crimes; (2) international human rights violations; and (3) certain federal crimes of violence committed outside the United States.

Internship Location(s):  Washington, D.C.
 

Application Materials:  Please submit via email or fax a cover letter (including dates of availability), resume, writing sample (not to exceed 25 pages), and a transcript (official or unofficial).

Qualifications:

Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time at a college or university. Graduating seniors are only eligible for internships that take place the summer after their college graduation if they can show enrollment and registration in a new academic program that begins in the fall.

All applicants must have: (1) a strong academic background and (2) excellent research and writing skills. Applicants should also have experience or interest in foreign cultures and history and foreign language proficiency.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Application Deadline:

Summer: February 15
Fall: May 15
Spring: September 15

Minimum Weeks Required:

Summer: 8 weeks or more between early June and mid-August
Fall/Spring: Full semester (15 to 20 hours per week)

Salary:  Volunteer (without compensation) only. Successful applicants are encouraged to seek academic credit and/or financial support through the career services centers of their individual campuses.

Assignments:  Undergraduate and graduate interns will assist HRSP staff by conducting research, analyzing and organizing materials, and summarizing and cataloguing documents acquired by the section, including materials written in various foreign languages.

Updated March 4, 2024