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There are over 25 new public interest jobs/internships posted in the Symplicity Document Library this month. Make sure to stay on top of the postings and apply early!

Out With The Old ... In With The New

In December, President Obama issued an executive order on Monday evening scrapping a controversial federal internship program. The order shuts down the Federal Career Intern Program -- whose popularity as a means for quickly hiring new employees has skyrocketed since it was created in 2001 -- as of March 2011. The directive also establishes three pathways for students and recent graduates to enter the federal workplace. The programs are tailored to recruit, train and retain well-qualified candidates. To read more about this exciting new program for entry level positions into the federal government, click HERE.

Great Resource To Review

Here is your new issue of Opportunities in Public Affairs, with hundreds of sought-after jobs in the Washington, DC area all focused on Jobs in Government Affairs & Policy, Public Relations & Advocacy, Media & Journalism, and Entry Level Jobs & Internships. These jobs are on Capitol Hill, in non-profits, think tanks, institutions, the government and in corporations and professional firms.

To read Opportunities in Public Affairs January 11, 2011 issue on-line, click: http://www.opajobs.com/login_subs.php

If you need login information, contact careerservices@fcsl.edu

Did You Know ...

JANUARY IS NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH???

The Duval County Juvenile Detention Facility (Duval House) is in need of mentors and tutors for the young men currently housed at the facility. Your commitment would be a minimum of once or twice per month for a few hours each time. Long term commitments are preferable but not necessary. The facility is somewhat flexible regarding scheduling and will work around your class/study time.

If you are interested in more information or to sign up as a volunteer mentor or tutor please contact:

Alisa Wilkes, Esq.
Duval House Advisory Board Member
(904) 566-8468
awilkes@sextonandwykoff.com

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Headquarters Summer Legal Intern Program provides valuable and challenging professional opportunities for outstanding law school students. Our goal is to provide our summer interns with a better understanding of the FDIC's role in our financial system while providing an opportunity for public service. Our summer interns are assigned to a variety of projects within one section of the Legal Division that will provide significant legal experience.

FDIC summer intern appointments begin in mid May and may not exceed September 30, 2010. Although a summer intern appointment can not exceed September 30th, it is possible that interns from local schools may continue as part-time legal interns during the school year.

Qualifications

In order to qualify for the 2010 Program, you must:

1.be enrolled in your first or second year of an American Bar Association accredited law school, and
2.be a United States citizen.
Candidates who have, at minimum, a B average or equivalent or are in the top 33 percent of the law school class are preferred. When deciding which candidates are qualified for an interview, we look at the total application package including undergraduate record (GPA), law school courses and grades (GPA), law review or law journal participation, national or regional moot court competition participation, and other special qualifications (such as another advanced degree, foreign language skills) or life experience. Writing samples will be evaluated for legal research, analytical and writing skills (i.e., organization, grammar, spelling, and persuasiveness).

For more information, click HERE.

Exciting Opportunity!

The U.S. Attorney Office applicaiton deadline is rapidly approaching. The deadline for submitting application materials for a credit bearing externship is 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 26th. While 1Ls who will have completed all 1st year required courses by the beginning of the summer are eligible, 2Ls are especially encouraged to apply. The GPA requirement for this externship placement is a 2.75.

Interested students should submit a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, writing sample and the U.S. Attorney's Office pre-interview questionnaire to Cleopartra Smith (in the Clinic Office - Room 255) by the application deadline. The cover letter should include your geographical preference---Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando or Fort Meyers. The cover letter should be addressed to the following:

Judith Hoberman, Human Resources Specialist
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida
Tampa, Florida

Any questions can be answered by the Clinic Office.

Orlando Internship Available - Immigration Court

VOLUNTEER JUDICIAL INTERNSHIP WITH THE ORLANDO IMMIGRATION COURT
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

The United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review, is seeking law student interns to participate in an excellent internship opportunity during the Summer of 2011. Positions are available at the Orlando Immigration Court near downtown Orlando, Florida. All law students who are United States citizens are eligible to apply. Prior knowledge of immigration law is not absolutely required but highly recommended. Strong research and writing skills are required.

The internship offers an excellent opportunity to develop research and writing skills as well as an understanding of immigration law and procedure as it relates to removal and deportation issues. The intern will become familiar with the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Code of Federal Regulations, and immigration case law set forth by the Board of Immigration Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

The jurisdiction of the Immigration Courts includes all matters brought before the Court by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The immigration judges at the Orlando Immigration Court preside over formal immigration hearings to determine whether aliens are deportable, excludable, inadmissible or removable from the United States. In addition, the judges have jurisdiction to consider applications for various forms of discretionary and mandatory relief, including various waivers, adjustment of status, cancellation of removal, asylum, withholding of removal, and protection under the United Nation’s Convention Against Torture.

The internship requires a commitment of at least forty hours per week for at least eleven weeks. The position entails in-depth research and analysis of legal issues, as well as preparation of legal memoranda for the immigration judges. Interns will have opportunities to draft motions that will be taken under advisement by an immigration judge and may later be used as writing samples. In addition, the intern will be able to observe a variety of matters brought before the Court. Interns will work under the supervision of the Court’s Judicial Law Clerks, but will have interaction with the individual judges. Although the internship is unpaid, academic credit may be obtained with the permission of the intern’s law school. Required hours and weeks may vary depending on requirements for school credit.

Selected candidates must pass a background security check, including a credit check, conducted by the United States Department of Justice. Since background checks take up to eight weeks to complete, APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY February 7, 2011. However, we reserve the right to fill the position before this date.

Interested students should submit a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and writing sample to:
Yasmin Elhady-Kureshi
Frances Spiegel
Judicial Law Clerks
Orlando Immigration Court
3535 Lawton Road, Suite 200
Orlando, FL 32803
(407) 722-8919
Yasmin.Elhady-Kureshi@usdoj.gov

The U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Here's a look at some of the well-paid jobs for which the federal government has thousands of openings. Think BROADLY when applying to the federal government. Your law degree may be applicable for all kinds of openings***

Program manager ($75,497)
Government agencies assign projects via contracts--and then people have to manage those contracts to make sure they stay on budget. The Department of Homeland Security--one of the agencies hiring the most right now--needs 1,850 program managers. Once you're in as a program manager, you can easily go from project to project within various government agencies for the rest of your career, says Heather Krasna, the author of "Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service."
Logistics manager ($62,782)
The Departments of the Army and Navy need about 2,000 of these experts to help them move goods and personnel efficiently and cost-effectively, both at home and overseas. Prior military experience is a strong plus here, says Janet Ruck, a coauthor of "Guide to America's Federal Jobs."
Attorney ($80,009)
The Department of Justice alone needs 2,700 attorneys, out of more than 5,500 projected attorney hires across all agencies. Qualified attorneys can pick their area of interest--for example, transportation, treasury, environment, or communications.
Paralegal ($45,761)
The Department of Justice also has a big need for paralegals and anticipates hiring 870 by 2012. Also known as legal assistants, paralegals help lawyers prepare cases and may draft contracts, take depositions, or write briefs. Many get started with a certificate program or by earning a two-year college degree.
Intelligence analyst ($60,158)
In a world of homegrown terrorists and threats that seem to come from nowhere, intelligence analysts are in demand. Analysts research and study data to come up with policy recommendations, says Ruck.

***Salary figures for these jobs are provided by online salary database PayScale.com. Projected hiring figures are from Where the Jobs Are, a nonprofit, nonpartisan website that promotes government-service jobs.

Want To Learn More About Immigration?

Consider attending some upcoming events here in Jacksonville to learn more about the naturalization process. A great opportunity for observation!

Naturalization Ceremony

January 20th 2011
10:30 am
Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse
300 N. Hogan Street

Naturalization Ceremony

March 24th 2011
10:30 am
Bryan Simpson United States Courthouse
300 N. Hogan St.

Your Government Salary May Depend On Where You Live

Employees in six more cities and all employees in Alaska and Hawaii would be eligible for higher locality pay beginning in 2012 under recent recommendation approved Friday by the Federal Salary Council.

The two states and the six cities — Albany, N.Y.; Albuquerque, N.M.; Bakersfield, Calif.; Charlotte, N.C.; Harrisburg, Pa.; and Portland, Maine — all would be designated separate, higher-paying locality zones and move up from the "rest of U.S.," or RUS, zone.

For the entire article and to learn more about government pay structures, click HERE.

The Government & Social Media

Staying on top of what's happening in the federal government is essential to landing a coveted position working "for the feds." Utilize all the resources at your fingertips including social media. Click here for more information about how the federal government is looking to connect with you.

Florida Bar Foundation Applications

Do not forget to send in your Florida Bar Foundation Applications for summer positions! The deadline is rapidly approaching --- January 19, 2011. Click HERE for all the necessary information!!!

Nashville Bar Association Minority Clerkship Job Fair

The Nashville Bar Association is looking for candidates for the their annual Damali Booker First Year Minority Clerkship Job Fair. The Job Fair will be held in Nashville on February 25 & 26, 2011. If you are looking for a summer clerkship and professional career in Nashville, this Job Fair may be for you.

A list of participating employers will be posted on the NBA website located HERE. The deadline for applying is January 27, 2011.

Fellowships Available ... Deadline Approaching!

The Peggy Browning Fund Fellowship Program

2011 Summer Fellowships
Funded positions in labor-related organizations throughout the United States.

2011-2012 School-Year Fellowship
1 funded part-time position in Chicago

Information available at http://www.peggybrowningfund.org/

Application deadline: January 14, 2011

Are You Ready?

Exellent Opportunity In Jacksonville

This semester, the Family Nurturing Center would like to recruit students to help at the Center. For students who are able to commit at least one year, they can appear on behalf of the Center at domestic violence hearings and provide new client orientations.

Available Court Days:
Duval Domestic Violence – Monday and Wednesday Mornings
Nassau Domestic Violence – Tuesday Mornings

Available Orientation Days:
Monday morning and afternoon
Wednesday morning
Thursday afternoon

For students who are only able to commit to the current semester, the Center has non-legal pro bono service hours available for the student who can lead study hours and work with children on reading Monday – Friday between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. This opportunity can be customized (for example, two students may want to team up and volunteer together for one hour doing a story and snack for children ages 4-6 on Tuesdays).

The Center will have an open house for any interested students on Friday, Jan. 7th from noon to 1 p.m. in room 465. Pizza will be served! Students should R.S.V.P. to leigh@fncflorida.org