What are the responsibilities and job description for the Law Student Volunteer, OVC (Summer 2025) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Washington, DC 20002 - United States
The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) is the largest grantmaking component of the Department of Justice and houses the Department’s criminal and juvenile justice-related science, statistics, and programmatic agencies. OJP provides federal leadership, funding, training and technical assistance, research and statistics, and other critical resources to advance work that strengthens community safety, promotes civil rights and racial equity, increases access to justice, supports crime victims and individuals impacted by the justice system, and builds trust between law enforcement and communities.
OJP's Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to provide leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. Established in 1988 through an amendment to the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984, OVC is charged by Congress with administering the Crime Victims Fund (the Fund). Through OVC, the Fund supports a broad array of programs and services that focus on helping victims in the immediate aftermath of crime and continuing to support them as they rebuild their lives. Millions of dollars are invested annually in victim compensation and assistance formula funding in every U.S. state and territory, as well as for training, technical assistance, and other capacity-building programs designed to enhance service providers’ ability to support victims of crime in communities across the Nation.
This internship would be assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff working directly with the Senior Policy Advisor.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
This internship opportunity would focus on researching different issues impacting victims of crime including, but not limited to: confidentiality; human trafficking; crime victims' rights enforcement; legal assistance for victims of crime; strengthening survivor access to justice; and other issues impacting victims of crime. OVC would like to develop internal policies, field guidance, best practices, and training and technical assistance tools regarding these issues. The legal intern will assist with this effort.
The intern(s) will work directly with the Senior Policy Advisor, conducting research and preparing documents, and engaging with both state and federal partners to develop policies, guidance, best practices, and other training and technical assistance tools. The intern(s) will also have the opportunity to present their work to OVC leadership and other OVC staff. The goal of the internship is to introduce the intern(s) to federal grant administration and the federal rule making process and develop their understanding of the victim services field.
OVC is looking for first-, second- and third-year law students with superior research and writing skills, an eye for detail, a desire to work as part of a small team, and a commitment to fairness and integrity in the administration of federal victim programs.
Excellent opportunity for students with a background and interest in working with federal and state agencies, crime victim issues, equity and diversity and the federal rule making process.
Interns must be able to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week for 8 to 10 weeks.
Strong preference for in-person combined with telework.
Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Please submit:
1) Cover letter
2) Resume or CV (including references)
3) Current law school transcript
Submit all application materials in one combined pdf document via email to Student.Employment@ojp.usdoj.gov, subject line JP-25-OVC-SVOL. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the application deadline.
PLEASE NOTE: You may be required to travel to your nearest federal servicing office to secure a DOJ Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential (badge). This credential may be required to allow you access to the DOJ/OJP IT network via a government-issued laptop.
Volunteer (uncompensated). Course credit, work-study, and externship opportunities are available depending on school requirements.
