CRIMINAL LAW INTERNSHIP
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
MILITARY COMMISSIONS DEFENSE ORGANIZATION
POSITION TITLE: Research Investigative Intern
DIVISION/OFFICE: Investigations Division
I. INTRODUCTION
The Military Commission Defense Organization is a group of civilian and military members, attorneys, investigators, analyst, and paralegals who are dedicated to the rule of law and ensuring detainees in Guantanamo Bay have zealous representation. The investigative intern will be assigned to a diverse team of committed human rights professionals.
A trial team at the Military Commission Defense Organization is in search of one or more investigative interns. Interns will experience 8 weeks of partnering directly with members of a defense team to complete various investigative tasks, advocate for a Guantanamo Bay detainee, and assist with establishing a legal precedent for pending sentencing of a military commission case.
The investigative internship at the Military Commissions Defense Organization (MCDO) provides undergraduate and graduate students with the fundamental investigative techniques and the relevant criminal law knowledge needed to assist Attorneys. The Internship begins with a training session that orients the intern to MCDO, case history and team dynamics. In the second week, the Investigative Interns are assigned projects and will be responsible for completion of the investigative tasks assigned. Investigative Interns will be assigned to work with the investigative unit, attorneys, and other members of the team. Interns should expect to work zealously for our client!
II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Major Duties and Responsibilities)
To perform this job successfully, an intern must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed will be representative of the knowledge, skills, education, training, experience and/or ability required. Persons with disabilities must be able to perform these duties with or without reasonable accommodation(s).
- Locate and interview witnesses.
- Under Defense Team supervision and/or with team investigator accompanying.
- Perform extensive criminal background checks, with the use and assistance of resources provided by MCDO or self.
- Draft and File Memorandums.
- Prepare courtroom exhibits.
- Write reports regarding investigative tasks; assist with case development and generally assist the assigned attorney(s) out of the courtroom.
- Investigative Interns will be given clerical duties, but some of their work will be performed in the community.
III. AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS: Rare (30%), Occasionally (60%), Frequently (90%), Constantly (100%)
In addition to the essential functions listed above, this position also requires the intern to be able to do the following:
- Constantly communicate fluently in oral and written English.
- Constantly communicate effectively with MCDO staff and outside parties over multiple modalities such as phone, e-mail, video conferencing, facsimile, etc.
- Frequently operate a computer and other office equipment which may require repetitive movements.
- Frequently create handwritten statements from witnesses and other key stakeholders.
- Frequently navigate multiple programs both on the MCDO network (such as e-mail, calendar, etc.) as well as shared programs with outside networks.
- Frequently researches, views, reads, and comprehends laws, regulations, policies, correspondence, etc. and exchange accurate information with defense attorneys, and other stakeholders.
- Frequently navigate office environment to access file cabinets, drawers, office equipment and machinery, etc.
- Frequently perform sedentary office work.
- Frequently travel via walking, climbing stairs, utilizing public transportation, and/or driving to different sites such as courts, jails, and hospitals to meet with or represent clients, client family members, witnesses, etc.
- Frequently write notes when interviewing witnesses.
- Rarely lifts weights up to 30 pounds (i.e. files, boxes, etc.)
The Internship experience we provide is a one of kind legal internship which provides hands on experience. No previous experience required. We offer a learning experience that can both prepare an individual for graduate-level work and provide an individual with the credentials necessary for employment within a field in the federal government.
Applicants should be a U.S. citizen, able to successfully pass a background check and receive a security clearance. Interested applicants should be prepared to submit the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume
Best Consideration By: June 15th
Compensation: Unpaid
Benefit: Secret Level Security Clearance
Applicant materials and any inquiries should be emailed to: Supervisory Investigator, Brian Ruffin at email: brian.c.ruffin.civ@mail.mil. Phone inquiries are also available at: 757-927-8207.
