US Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights - OCR

Interns will already be licensed attorneys, so the objective of the training is to help them become aware of civil rights laws and to determine if OCR is an appropriate long-term placement for the servicemember or veteran. Instructions will be one-on-one with employees in the agency and will be a mix of hands-on training, and online presentations. The process normally consists of a short training session with the mentor selecting cases to work on directly with the intern. Through this module there is a teach, learn, and cement approach. Where the lessons taught in class are then applied practically to allow the intern to understand and work through the concepts and then they complete the work together, with a goal of supporting independent work from the intern.

• Serves as an information resource for managers and staff within OCR and recommends legal and policy advice to the Director of the Office of Outreach, Prevention, Education and Non-discrimination (OPEN) Center, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Assistant Secretary. • Ensures technical assistance activities are conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations enforced by OCR, case law, and the Assistant Secretary’s directives, regulations, and policies. Confirms that assistance provided is thorough, and legally sound with respect to assignments. Technical assistance also involves explaining the requirements of the various OCR statutes, regulations, and sub-regulatory documents which is clear and tangible for schools and the public (i.e., more complex questions explained may involve how the law applies to an infinite number of factual scenarios). • Drafts and reviews varied documents and instruments, including regular office notices, letters, and agreements. • Anticipates potential legal difficulties and devise means to avoid these problems. • Provides formal and informal recommendations to stakeholders, recipient institutions, and the public. • Provides support to recipients and the public through the provision of assistance, explaining how general principles of civil rights law might apply to specific and complex factual situations; (i.e., particularly for schools, educating them ahead of time on their obligations, or being responsive to questions that arise in the field; this is an important way to prevent potential civil rights violations before they occur). • Serves as a liaison between OCR and outside stakeholders, including schools, education agencies, advocacy groups, and other members of the public. Assists stakeholders and other OCR components in interpreting legal standards and regulations in applying OCR policy. • Performs other related duties as assigned.

-Bar card or official documentation verifying that you are an active member of the Bar in Good Standing of any State, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or any Territorial Court under the U.S. Constitution.-Transcript if you have been a graduate of a law school for fewer than 5 years.-Applicant must possess a professional law degree (J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D.) from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) and be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.