The Federal Government is Hiring!

The Federal Government is a Great Employment Option for Law Students and Attorneys

Law students and lawyers may not immediately think of the federal government when it comes to employment options, but the benefits of such work are numerous, including challenging assignments that serve the public good, attractive work-life balance in the form of reasonable and flexible work hours, and the highest attorney salaries in the public sector.

Seeking and applying for federal jobs can be overwhelming, so to help lawyers and law students get started, the 2009-2010 Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide provides help. The guide—produced by NALP/PSLawNet, in partnership with the ABA Government &Public Sector Lawyers Division and the Partnership for Public Service—offers information on how the hiring process works, where to find federal jobs and how to apply successfully for them. The new edition also includes an online version hosted on PSLawNet’s federal government careers webpage.

Additionally, for law students, the Office of Career Planning subscribes to the Government Honors & Internships Handbook which lists opportunities for 1L, 2L and 3L law students, including entry level post-graduate positions. The user name and password for this service can be found when you log into your USFLawLink account.

“In the next five years, one-third of full-time federal employees are expected to leave their jobs for retirement…”

Among reasons for a career with the federal government, authors of the guide point out that in the next five years, one-third of full-time federal employees are expected to leave their jobs for retirement. The authors also say that federal jobs typically pay more than working for other non-profit entities, with starting salaries for entry-level attorneys in the $50,000 range. From there, federal attorneys can move up the salary scale quickly, they say.

Jobs for lawyers are available in all three branches of government, in numerous capacities, including litigating civil and criminal cases, counseling lawmakers, drafting statutes and regulations, and issuing administrative legal opinions.

For young attorneys, working for the federal government usually means developing leadership skills quickly. Lawyers get immediate responsibility and they manage their own caseloads.

Also significant: “Many federal agencies have their own loan repayment assistance programs,” say guide authors. “And, the recently passed College Cost Reduction & Access Act can benefit attorneys working in the federal government.”

Information about federal student loan repayment programs is available. Also, learn more about the CCRAA on Equal Justice Works’ Student Debt Relief webpage.

Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program Application Window Now Open

A CALL TO SERVICE - The Presidential Management Fellows Program

Law students who will meet all graduate degree requirements between September 1, 2010 through August 31, 2011, are eligible to apply in the Fall of 2010, for the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Class of 2011.

The online application window is relatively short, closing on October 15, 2010. Additional materials are due to the Office of Career Planning by Friday, October 22, 2010. See below for instructions specific to USF School of Law students.

The PMF Program attracts to Federal service outstanding men and women from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have a clear interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs. Students can use this two-year fellowship as a stepping stone to highly visible and respected leadership positions in the Federal Government.

This rigorous two-year paid fellowship includes:

• Formal classroom training of 160 hours,
• Mandatory four to six month developmental assignment,
• Optional rotations of one to six months in duration,
• Challenging work assignments,
• Potential for accelerated promotions, and
• Opportunities to network with other future leaders.

Many Federal agencies partner with the PMF Program Office to hire Fellows annually. Fellows engage in solving domestic and international issues including, but not limited to: Public Administration, Foreign Policy, Technology, Science, Criminal Justice, Health, and Financial Management. For more information please visit www.pmf.opm.gov.

TIMELINE & ACTION ITEMS FOR USF SCHOOL OF LAW APPLICANTS
Apply online at http://www.pmf.opm.gov October 1-15, 2010. During the application process, you will be required to print the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Nomination Form (OPM Form 1300).

To seek a nomination by the law school’s Nomination Official, you should submit to the Director of the Office of Career Planning (OCP) in Room 230 Kendrick Hall no later than Friday, October 22, 2010 at 5 p.m., hard copies of the following:

• your personalized PMF Nomination Form (that you should have printed out during the application process);
• a copy of your current Resume;
• a Personal Statement of a minimum of 750 words describing: (i) the breadth and quality of your accomplishments; (ii) your capacity for leadership, and (iii) your commitment to excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs.

NOTE: At the time you submit your Nomination Form, Resume and Personal Statement to the OCP, you will be required to complete a form authorizing the law school to verify with the Office of the Registrar that you will complete your degree requirements between September 1, 2010 and August 31, 2011.

Applicants will be reviewed by the law school the week of October 25th. All applicants the law school determines are qualified will be submitted for nomination by the deadline of Sunday, October 31st.

Questions? Contact the Director of the Office of Career Planning, Bryan Hinkle at 415-422-6757.