What are the responsibilities and job description for the Undergraduate Student Volunteer (Extern) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Suite 410
Flagstaff, AZ 86001 - United States
The Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the District of Arizona has primary responsibility for prosecuting federal crimes in and relating to Arizona. Our extensive criminal practice is broken into five sections (plus appeals):
(1) Violent Crimes (e.g., homicides, sexual assaults, and other major offenses committed on Native American reservations; bank robberies; firearms offenses; assaults on federal officers; child exploitation; and human trafficking);
(2) Southwest Border Crimes (e.g., illegal re-entry of aliens after deportation, alien smuggling, and drug seizures at the ports of entry);
(3) Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and Asset Forfeiture (e.g., large-scale narcotics trafficking organizations);
(4) Financial Crimes and Public Corruption (e.g., securities or mortgage fraud, bribery of public officials); and
(5) National Security (e.g., domestic and international terrorism, international smuggling and export violations, and economic espionage).
The Flagstaff USAO is part of the Violent Crimes section, and Flagstaff Assistant U.S. Attorneys appear in court almost daily on all types of federal cases occurring in Northern Arizona. The Flagstaff USAO also handles a wide variety of federal misdemeanor violations occurring in Northern Arizona, including DUI, disorderly conduct, assault, drug possession, and resource violations. Student externs have opportunities for involvement in all of the Flagstaff USAO practice areas.
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.
Student externships are available during the fall and spring semesters of the academic year, as well as during the summer. Externs during the fall and spring semesters will work a minimum of 10 hours per week. Externs during the summer session will work a minimum of 15 hours per week. Additional work hours may be possible, depending on the requirements of the student’s school.
Student externs have unparalleled opportunities for substantive involvement in federal criminal prosecution. Student interns in the Flagstaff USAO frequently complete the following assignments: file preparation; answering phone calls; completing discovery (including reviewing and redacting discovery); basic legal research (e.g., criminal penalties); drafting plea agreements, charging documents, and correspondence; observing hearings; assisting with trial preparation, evidence review, and witness interviews; assisting in trial (e.g., handling exhibits and/or videos at trial); and contributing to a variety of other projects relating to federal criminal prosecution. Externs will receive assignments in many different practice areas, providing exposure to a number of subject matters and styles of practice.
Externship Location: Flagstaff, Arizona (in person)
Minimum Weeks Required: Flexible. Applicants who are available for at least 12 weeks during the fall and spring semesters will be preferred. Summer externships are normally shorter. The length of the externship should be consistent with university standards for each extern. Preference also may be given to students who will remain in the externship for more than one semester.
Web Site: www.justice.gov/usao/az/
Undergraduate student. Must be a U.S. citizen. Strong grades, good interpersonal skills, and excellent writing skills preferred. A background check covering criminal and financial history, as well as drug usage, is required because of the sensitive nature of the work performed by the United States Attorney’s Office. It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace, and persons selected for an externship will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
Applications should include the following materials, all in one consolidated PDF file: (a) cover letter, (b) résumé, (c) unofficial undergraduate transcript, (d) telephone number(s) where the applicant can be reached in the daytime and evenings; and (e) an e-mail address where the applicant can be reached. Applications should be sent or e-mailed to the following address:
United States Attorney’s Office – District of Arizona
Attn.: Flagstaff Criminal Extern Committee
123 N. San Francisco Street, Suite 410
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
Email: usaaz.ecfflag@usdoj.gov
Application Periods:
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis with the following deadlines:
Spring Semester 2025 – Apply by September 15, 2024
Summer 2025 – Apply by February 15, 2025
Fall Semester 2025 – Apply by February 15, 2025
The externships are unpaid, and externs will not receive benefits; however, the office will work with schools that offer academic course credit.
