Summary POSITION OVERVIEW The United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas is accepting applications for a one-year term student internship as part of the Model Intern Program (MIP) offered through the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. Responsibilities The MIP was established to expand applicant pools and increase access to opportunities within the Judiciary. The MIP fosters excellence and values the unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds present within the Judiciary and the communities it serves. The program is designed to address barriers to opportunities unrelated to merit, talent, or qualifications, ensuring that individuals have the chance to pursue opportunities based on their skills and abilities. By mitigating challenges created by income disparities, this program seeks to provide equitable access to opportunities. The MIP provides opportunities for talented college students to compete for paid internships with federal courts throughout the country, preparing them for future employment opportunities within the Judiciary. This unique, year-long internship is being offered to junior and senior undergraduate students and will be headquartered at Fort Smith, AR. The MIP internship begins on June 16, 2025 or June 30, 2025, and concludes by May 30, 2026. The intern will work full-time (no more than 40-hours/week) during the summer semester and part-time (no more than 20-hours/week) during the Fall and Spring semesters. The intern will report directly to Heather Burns, Chief Deputy Clerk, and will rotate between various areas in the Court to maximize exposure to the diverse career opportunities within the Judiciary. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES The Intern will function as a student trainee and his/her duties may include: Observing a wide variety of court proceedings in civil and criminal matters to develop a familiarity with the judicial process. Working with judges, clerk's office personnel, and other court-system professionals to develop an understanding of the federal judiciary. Opportunities to observe how case filings and documents are processed, learning the flow of cases through the court, and gaining insight into administrative support during hearings and trials. Assisting with the case management processes, including calendaring, docketing, mail returns, answering phones, etc. Assisting the jury administrator in jury matters such as the juror selection process, jury check-in and orientation, reviewing jury surveys, tracking juror statistics, etc. Assisting staff as needed in handling special events, such as naturalization ceremonies and community outreach events. Reviewing case files, archiving records, and organizing materials. Under supervision, conducting legal research, preparing case summaries, and assisting in drafting memos, orders, etc. Sorting, classifying, copying, distributing, and filing court records to assist judicial and administrative staff. Performing other duties as assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointments, are considered "At-Will" appointments, and can be terminated with or without cause by the Court. Employees are hired provisionally pending results of a criminal background check and fingerprinting and are subject to a probation period. This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer (direct deposit) for payment of salary. The U.S. Courts require employees to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees, which is available to applicants for review on the U.S. Court's webpage here. Qualifications REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Candidates must be a junior or senior during the 2025-2026 academic year and currently enrolled full-time and in good standing at an accredited college or university. Education Please read the "Qualifications" section. Additional Information