Each semester the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General (OIG) selects one or two law students to participate in its legal intern program in Washington, D.C. OIG’s legal intern program is ideal for law students who are interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice, government oversight, legislative affairs, or administrative law. In addition, students selected for the summer program will participate in the Summer Law Clerk Program organized by the Council of Counsels to the Inspectors General. The program allows students to learn about the inspector general community, to visit other federal agencies and Congress, and a variety of legal issues facing federal government lawyers.

Eligibility Criteria:
Full-time and part-time law students who have completed at least two full semesters of legal study are eligible to apply. Candidates who are selected for the fall or spring semester must commit to working no fewer than 20 hours a week for a minimum of 12 weeks. Candidates selected for the summer must commit to working no fewer than 32 hours a week for a minimum of 10 weeks.

Compensation:
Peace Corps positions are classified according to the Foreign Personnel (FP) pay plan (grade level system). Rising 2Ls may be compensated at the FP-9 level, 2Ls may be compensated at the FP-7 level, and 3Ls may be compensated at the FP-5 level. You can view the current pay schedule for the Washington-Baltimore area by checking the Department of State website at www.state.gov. Compensation under this program is subject to the annual federal appropriations process and the availability of funds for this purpose.
Alternatively, legal interns may work for school credit, provided they comply with their school’s requirements.

Duties:

OIG legal interns:

  • Conduct legal and policy research related to Peace Corps operations and government oversight issues.
  • Track and analyze legislation affecting the inspector general community.
  • Solicit and propose ways of addressing the views and concerns of the inspector general community in response to legislative initiatives and Congressional requests.
  • Research legislative proposals or amendments to pending legislation.
  • Assist in reviewing and revising, as appropriate, current Peace Corps and Office of Inspector manuals/policy to accurately reflect agency business practices as well as overall best practices.
  • Provide support in editing OIG reports and memorandums.
  • Assist in researching and writing on specific law enforcement matters within the purview of the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General.
  • Help support Office of Inspector General response to Freedom of Information Act Requests.

How to Apply:
OIG accepts applications on a rolling basis. To be considered for OIG’s Legal Intern Program, please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) to Sarah O’Neill Gerwin, Assistant Inspector General for Management and Administration, at peacecorpsoig-admin@peacecorpsoig.gov.

What is the Office of Inspector General?
Through passage of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (IG Act), Congress established an Office of Inspector General (OIG) in large federal agencies with the mission to prevent and detect fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement and to promote economy, effectiveness, and efficiency in government. In 1988, Congress extended the law to most other federal agencies, including the Peace Corps.

The IG Act, as amended, establishes OIG as an independent entity within the Peace Corps. The Inspector General (IG) reports directly to and is under the general supervision of the Peace Corps Director. In addition, the IG reports directly to Congress, keeping it fully and currently informed concerning the programs and operations of the Peace Corps.

Supervisor: Joaquin Ferrao, Deputy Inspector General/Legal Counsel
Contact: Sarah O’Neill Gerwin, Assistant Inspector General for Management and Administration
Peace Corps Office of Inspector General, 1275 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20526
Email: peacecorpsoig-admin@peacecorpsoig.gov