We accept and consider internship/externship applications
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The Northwest Section of the Office of General Counsel provides volunteer opportunities for law students during the summer and throughout the academic year. In the past, interns/externs have engaged in research and writing in the areas of natural resource protection and fisheries management, and attended internal and external meetings with NOAA attorneys. Our office strives to ensure that each intern/extern has an opportunity to complete a minimum of one substantial writing assignment. The ideal candidate will have a strong research and writing background as well as a demonstrated interest or experience in natural resources protection (e.g., endangered species) and/or fisheries management law.
Externships Application Process:
1. How can I apply for an internship/externship with your office? Submit cover letter, resume, transcript (unofficial is fine) and a 5-10 page writing sample. You may provide more than one writing sample, however, at least one of your writing samples should be relatively short — no more than five (5) pages. We accept applications on a rolling basis and while there are no deadlines we encourage you to get your application in early. Please send all requested materials by email to Chris McNulty at chris.mcnulty@noaa.gov.
2. Is there any additional information I should provide? Your cover letter should indicate prominently the time frame of the proposed internship/externship and explain clearly your interest in natural resources and/or fisheries management law.
3. How will I know if I am being considered for an internship/externship? Candidates considered for an internship/externship will be contacted for additional information and/or for a video or in-person interview. The office is not always able to respond to every application.
4. Will any interviewing expenses be paid? No funds are available to reimburse applicants for any expenses associated with interviewing.
Offer/Acceptance Process
Upon consideration of your application, the Chief or Deputy Chief of the Northwest Section may send you an email offering you a position as an intern/extern. If you accept the offer, you will be asked to fill out the "Forms for Student Volunteers" in order to get a security clearance required for NOAA identification badges for access to the office as well as access to NOAA computers.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this a paid internship/externship? No, the office only offers unpaid internships/externships.
- How many interns/externs do you normally have? One.
- What is the duration and weekly work requirements? During the academic year, externships generally last at least 10 weeks, with at least 10-15 hours of work per week expected. Summer externs generally work 40 hours per week for at least 10 weeks of the summer.
- Could the internship/externship be extended for more than one semester or quarter? Yes.
- May I receive credit for the internship/externship? We will gladly complete all paperwork necessary for your institution to grant you credit for successful completion of the internship/externship.
- Is a security clearance required for employment? Yes, you must receive a badge for employment as a volunteer intern/extern and entrance into the building. To receive a badge, you must have obtained a security clearance from the Department of Commerce Office of Security. If you accept an offer for an internship/externship position, our office will coordinate with you on the process to obtain the necessary security clearance.
- Is U.S. citizenship a requirement for this externship? Yes, externs must be U.S. citizens. However, exceptions may be made where there are no U.S. citizens available to do the work or project. Non-citizens must generally complete additional paperwork and undergo additional scrutiny before being cleared to pursue a fellowship or internship with NOAA.
Department of Commerce/NOAA Resources:
NOAA’s Office of Education web site has additional information on other student opportunities available throughout NOAA.
The Department of Commerce (of which NOAA is a part) has a Legal Internship Recruitment web page. Additional career opportunity resources within the Department of Commerce include the job career and student career opportunities web sites.
Additional Resources - External Web Link -Use at your own risk.
Consistent with Department of Commerce Administrative Order (DAO) 216-3, the Office of General Counsel upholds the Department’s policy on equal opportunity recruiting and works to generate diverse applicant pools consistent with race, national origin, and gender percentages in the civilian labor force.