Summer Intern (Legal Administrative Specialist)
Job details
- Location
- Birmingham or Phoenix or Lake Forest or Los Angeles or Sacramento or San Diego or San Francisco or San Jose or Denver or East Hartford or Washington or Jacksonville or Miami or Plantation or Atlanta or Honolulu or Chicago or Indianapolis or Louisville or New Orleans or Boston or Baltimore or Detroit or Saint Paul or Kansas City or Saint Louis or Greensboro or Newark or Las Vegas or Buffalo or New York or Westbury or Cincinnati or Independence or Oklahoma City or Portland or Philadelphia or Pittsburgh or Nashville or Austin or Farmers Branch or Houston or Salt Lake City or Richmond or Seattle or Milwaukee
- Work type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $61,722 - $100,315/yr
- Clearance
- Other
- Posted
- Sep 29, 2026
- Apply on
- usajobs.gov
About this role
Summary
Office of Chief Counsel, IRS, seeks enthusiastic individuals to serve taxpayers fairly and with integrity by providing correct and impartial interpretation of the internal revenue laws and the highest quality legal advice and representation for the IRS.
To learn more, click the links below:
IRS Office of Chief Counsel Careers Site
Meet Our People
Learn about our Legal Divisions
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
For more information, see "Who May Apply" in the "Qualifications" section for more information on who is eligible to apply for this position.
Duties
The IRS Office of Chief Counsel's Summer Legal Program provides exposure to the Office by enabling primarily second-year law students to work under the supervision, and with the assistance of, experienced tax lawyers. The training and work experience provides developmental assignments and helps prepare law students for a career as a tax lawyer and gives them an excellent view of what the practice of law is like at the Office of Chief Counsel. In the National Office, law students typically take part in a variety of educational and social events. It is anticipated students will work for us the full summer.
- Appointments will be made to a Legal Administrative Specialist at the GS-09 level in Summer 2027.
- Participants who graduate from law school by Fall 2028 may be eligible for consideration for non-competitive placement into an entry-level law clerk or attorney position, subject to position availability, applicable hiring approvals, and other requirements.
We are recruiting for both our National Office and our Field Office Divisions throughout the country. Current openings are detailed below:
National OfficeNational Office Divisions located only in Washington, D.C. include Corporate (CORP), Employee Benefits, Exempt Orgs, Employment Taxes (EEE), Energy, Credits, and Excise Tax (ECE), Financial Institutions & Products (FIP), Income Tax & Accounting (ITA), International (INTL), Passthroughs, Trusts, and Estates (PTE), and Procedure & Administration (P&A).
We are currently recruiting for our Division Counsel (Litigation & Advisory) in the following cities: Atlanta, GA; Austin, TX; Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Denver, CO; Detroit, MI; East Hartford, CT; Farmers Branch (Dallas), TX; Greensboro, NC; Honolulu, HI; Houston, TX; Independence (Cleveland), OH; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, FL; Kansas City, MO; Lake Forest (Laguna Niguel), CA; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Louisville, KY; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Nashville, TN; Newark, NJ; New Orleans, LA; New York (Manhattan), NY; Oklahoma City, OK; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Pittsburgh, PA; Plantation, FL; Portland, OR; Richmond, VA; Sacramento, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; St. Louis, MO; St. Paul, MN; Washington, DC; Westbury (Long Island), NY.
We are currently recruiting for our Office of the Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Criminal Tax) in the following cities: Baltimore, MD; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Cincinnati, OH; Cleveland (Independence), OH; Denver, CO; East Hartford, CT; Farmers Branch, TX; Greensboro, NC; Houston, TX; Indianapolis, IN; Jacksonville, FL; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; Miami, FL; Nashville, TN; New Orleans, LA; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Phoenix, AZ; Portland, OR; Richmond, VA; Salt Lake, UT; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, WA; St. Louis, MO; St. Paul, MN; Washington, DC; Westbury (Long Island), NY.
We are currently recruiting for our Office of the Division Counsel (Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division Counsel) in the following cities: Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Farmers Branch (Dallas), TX; Jacksonville, FL; Los Angeles, CA; New York (Manhattan), NY; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC; Westbury (Long Island), NY.
Target Start Date: June 2027
Please note, you will not receive an application status update or communication from the hiring office until early 2027.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Refer to "Additional Information."
- Click "Print Preview" to review the entire announcement before applying.
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
Qualifications
Who May Apply:Current law school students who have completed one (1) full year of legal studies at an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
- Second-year law students who have completed at least one full year of legal study by the closing date of the announcement are eligible to apply (part-time law students must be currently attending law school and have completed the equivalent of one year of full-time study by the closing date of the announcement).
- Most applicants participate in the summer after their second year of law school; however, law students graduating in Spring 2027 who will enter a judicial clerkship, fellowship, or tax or accounting-related graduate program (including a Tax LL.M. program) may participate in the summer following law school graduation prior to the start of the judicial clerkship, fellowship, or graduate program.
- If you are applying for, but have not yet accepted a judicial clerkship, fellowship, or been accepted into a tax or accounting-related graduate program, you should consider applying to both the Summer Intern (Legal Administrative Specialist) and the Honors Program Law Clerk announcements.
Basic Requirement for Summer Legal Administrative Specialist:
- Must attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
- A class ranking in the top 25% of the J.D. program or LL.M. program OR
- A cumulative GPA of 3.35 or higher in the J.D. program OR
- A cumulative GPA of 3.25 in the LL.M. program OR
- If the LL.M. program does not have class rank nor GPA, the J.D. program requirements listed above must be met OR
- If neither J.D. nor LL.M. program has class rank or GPA, a minimum LSAT of 160 is required
- Special high-level recognition for academic excellence in law school, such as selection to Order of the Coif or receipt of the American Jurisprudence Award in related courses; or top grades in tax or related course work (e.g., "A" grades in tax courses);
- Evidence of background or experience in the position to be filled, such as taking relevant law school classes (e.g., tax law, bankruptcy/debtor creditor law, administrative law) or relevant legal or tax experience (e.g., tax legal experience) or relevant tax volunteer experience (e.g., VITA, Tax Clinic);
- Work or achievement in the law school's law review or other recognized law journal;
- Winning a moot court or mock trial competition or membership on a moot court or mock trial team.
Education
All applicants must be attending or graduated from an ABA-accredited law school.
A college or university degree generally must be from an accredited (or pre-accredited) college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools which meet these criteria, please refer to Department of Education Accreditation page.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. If you are qualifying based on foreign education, you must submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html
Additional information
- We may select from this announcement or any other source to fill one or more vacancies.
- Hiring managers take into consideration applicant preferred division and desired location. Applicants who are selected for hire will be provided one offer based on the ultimate needs of the organization to fill open positions.
- Relocation expenses are not authorized.
- This position is not eligible for health benefits.
- This position is not eligible for leave.
- This is a non-bargaining unit position.
- We offer opportunities for flexible work schedules.
- The salary range indicated in this announcement covers multiple locality areas. Your salary will be adjusted based on the post of duty for which you are selected.
- The appointment is temporary not to exceed 89 days.
- Must successfully complete a background investigation.
- Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
- If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
- Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
- Go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Form I-9. Federal law requires verification of the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires in the U.S.
- Undergo an income tax verification.
- The employment of any candidate, including a current employee or a new hire, selected for this position may be conditional upon classification and/or audit of federal tax returns. This audit may include up to 2 years of returns.
- This position requires that the successful candidate undergo personnel vetting, which includes a background investigation and enrollment upon onboarding into "Continuous Vetting." Enrollment in Continuous Vetting will result in automated record checks being conducted throughout one's employment with Treasury. The successful candidate will also be enrolled into FBI's Rap Back service, which will allow Treasury to receive notification from the FBI of criminal matters (e.g., arrests, charges, convictions) involving enrolled individuals in near real-time. For more information about individual rights, Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights - FBI, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI, and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov).
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applicants will be considered based on their application package as it relates to the requirements listed in the qualifications section. Interviews may be held at the option of the office. All application materials and interviews, if conducted, will be used in the final evaluation and selection process.
Referral: Veterans' preference is assessed and applied. Qualified Preference eligibles will be listed at the top of the certificate in alphabetical order and considered before qualified non-preference eligibles. All other candidates will be listed in alphabetical order. If you are among the top qualified candidates, you may be required to participate in a selection interview. We will not reimburse costs related to the interview, such as travel to and from the interview site.
Required Documents
A complete application includes:
- A resume
- Vacancy question responses
- An official or unofficial transcript from your law school (an official copy will be required if you are selected)
- Proof of current enrollment
- An unedited writing sample (5-10 pages in length)
- Supporting documentation as applicable
- If you are using your class rank or LSAT score to qualify, you must submit documentation within your application to prove your claim. If your school does not calculate neither GPA nor Class Rank, please include supporting documentation from the college/university.
Education Documentation: You must include supporting documentation to confirm your GPA, class rank, or LSAT score. Acceptable documentation includes a transcript, test scores, or verification from the school. Your application will be rated ineligible if your education qualifications cannot be verified in your application documents.
Veterans' Preference Documentation: If you are claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 (Member 4 copy), or other official documentation from a branch of the Armed Forces or the Department of Veterans Affairs showing actual or expected dates of service dates of service and type of discharge. Ten-point preference eligibles must also submit an Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, SF-15, along with the required documentation listed on the back of the SF-15 form.
For more information on veterans' preference view FedsHireVets.
Please ensure your application includes supporting qualification documentation for this position, as failure to do so may result in an "incomplete application" determination.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit any required documents by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on 12/11/2026 and/or cut-off dates in this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET, Monday - Friday). To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13078050
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability or medical condition during any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Kimberly Johnson, Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator, HR Labor & Employee Relations Division, by phone at 503-265-3841 or by email at [email protected]. The IRS - Office of Chief Counsel provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. You must contact us by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on the announcement's closing date to request accommodation. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your resume and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. Please limit your resume to two-pages. Applicants with resumes exceeding two-pages will be removed from consideration. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.
- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
- It is your responsibility to verify that your application package (resume, supporting documents, and responses to the questionnaire) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.
- Additional information on how to complete the online application process and submit your online application may be found on the USA Staffing Applicant Resource Center.
Agency contact information
Staffing and Classification Branch
1111 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20224
US
Next steps
To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.