EEOC Office Overviews

The following EEOC offices have intern and volunteer (unpaid) positions available:
•    Chair/Commissioner Offices
•    Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics
•    Office of Federal Operations
•    Office of General Counsel
•    Office of Legal Counsel
•    Field Offices

Note: The Chair, Offices of the Commissioners, OFO, OLC, and OGC are all located in Washington, DC. EEOC Field Offices are located throughout the country.

Chair/Commissioner Offices

EEOC has five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. As the chief executive officer of the Commission, the Chair is responsible for operational matters, including Executive and Legislative Branch relations, budget, personnel, and the operation of the Commission's Headquarters and 53 Field Offices.

The five-member, bipartisan Commission makes equal employment opportunity policy and approves most litigation. The Commissioners make decisions regarding policy issues, litigation recommendations, Federal sector appellate cases, amicus briefs, subpoena determinations and contracts. The Commissioners also frequently deliver speeches and make appearances on behalf of the Commission.

Interns in the Offices of the Commissioners review litigation recommendations, subpoenas, amicus briefs and Federal employment discrimination decisions, conduct legal research and writing on employment discrimination and administrative law issues, draft articles and speeches, and attend briefings and EEOC meetings as scheduled. Interns may also have the opportunity to participate in projects related to the respective Commissioner’s areas of interest.

Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics (OEDA)

The Office of Enterprise Data and Analytics is the principal statistical office of the Commission, led by the EEOC’s Chief Data Officer. OEDA, under the direction of the Office of the Chair, aids the Commission in its efforts to achieve its mission and plan its goals and objectives strategically by researching, collecting, and analyzing relevant data and information; reviewing and analyzing organizational activities; and recommending approaches and procedures to improve operations by ensuring data-driven decision-making.

OEDA summer interns participate in verification and validation efforts to improve data quality, prepare public release data sets, assist in research on topics such as statistical disclosure limitation, record linkage and data imputation, and provide technical assistance to researchers outside of EEOC. OEDA summer interns may benefit from exposure to the entire lifecycle of Federal data collection, including design, collection, processing, and analytics, to dissemination.

Office of Federal Operations (OFO)

The Office of Federal Operations provides leadership and guidance to Federal Agencies on all aspects of the Federal government’s equal employment opportunity program. OFO ensures Federal compliance with EEOC regulations, provides technical assistance to Federal Agencies concerning EEO complaint adjudication, monitors and evaluates Federal Agencies’ affirmative employment programs, develops and distributes Federal sector educational materials, conducts training for stakeholders, provides guidance and assistance to EEOC Administrative Judges who conduct hearings on EEO complaints, and adjudicates appeals from administrative decisions made by Federal Agencies on EEO complaints.

OFO interns research and draft appellate decisions, prepare legal memoranda on various EEO issues, assist in providing technical assistance and guidance to EEOC stakeholders, monitor compliance with OFO decisions, and participate in training activities.

Office of General Counsel (OGC)

The Office of General Counsel conducts litigation on behalf of the Commission under the laws enforced by EEOC: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA). OGC attorneys brief and orally argue appeals of EEOC cases in Federal appellate courts; file briefs as amicus curiae and present oral argument in private discrimination suits raising important or novel legal issues; litigate large systemic discrimination cases; oversee EEOC trial litigation, most of which is conducted by Field Offices located across the country; and review proposals for EEOC litigation.

OGC interns research and draft memoranda on various cutting-edge legal issues for appellate cases, review and summarize trial transcripts, assist with appellate briefs, evaluate cases for possible amicus participation, research issues for cases alleging systemic discrimination, and review proposals for EEOC litigation. Interns may have the opportunity to attend moot court arguments conducted by appellate attorneys in preparation for oral argument in appellate courts.

Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)

The Office of Legal Counsel develops policy guidance, provides technical assistance to employers and employees, and coordinates with other agencies and stakeholders regarding relevant employment statutes and regulations. OLC’s Advice and External Litigation Division represents EEOC in Federal courts in actions brought by respondents, charging parties, and others external to EEOC and advises EEOC officials and employees on various issues, including ethics, charge processing, alternative dispute resolution, procurement and Federal sector issues. OLC also administers EEOC’s Freedom of Information Act program.

OLC interns assist attorneys involved in litigation and policy development, research legal questions raised by Commissioners and Commission officials, and respond to requests from the public for information. Interns also have the opportunity to attend Commission meetings and relevant local court proceedings, and may be able to attend forums about various employment discrimination topics.

Field Offices

EEOC has 53 Field Offices located throughout the country. Field Offices are generally the first line of contact for employees or applicants seeking redress for alleged discrimination and for employers seeking assistance with legal compliance. Field Offices receive inquiries and investigate charges of employment discrimination under the Federal employment statutes; provide education, outreach and technical assistance to employers, employees, advocacy organizations and other individuals; and resolve discrimination claims through mediation, negotiated settlement, conciliation and litigation. Field Offices also assist Federal sector employees with unresolved complaints of discrimination arising at the hearing stage of the administrative process.

Field Office interns and volunteers work with Trial Attorneys, Administrative Judges (AJs), Investigators, and Intake staff to conduct intake, investigate complaints of discrimination, and prepare for hearings or litigation.

Interns who work with Trial Attorneys assist with litigation against employers for violations of Title VII, the ADEA, and the ADA. Interns conduct legal research and writing, assist with claimant and witness interviews, draft discovery responses, and help prepare claimants and witnesses for deposition. Interns may be asked to abstract depositions and develop fact responses for defending against motions for summary judgment.

Interns who work with AJs assist with charges of discrimination brought by Federal employees. Interns assist with pretrial and settlement conferences, draft responses to motions, draft findings of fact and conclusions of law, and assist with other aspects of the administrative hearing process.

Interns who work with Investigators and Intake staff assist with all phases of the investigative process, from charge intake to resolution. Interns conduct interviews, analyze case files for compliance with Federal employment discrimination laws, and work with investigators to resolve cases.