Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Responsibilities

Help Working for the Department of Justice as an AUSA provides tremendous opportunities to develop litigation skills at an accelerated rate. Few litigation positions, whether in private practice, government or military service, offer such rich and varied experiences and responsibilities.

In the Criminal Division, you will be a part of a dedicated team representing the United States to keep the community safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law. You will be responsible for the investigation and prosecution of a variety of cases that may include drug trafficking, violent crime, firearms offenses, organized crime, money laundering, child exploitation, terrorism, cyber, fraud, and criminal immigration.

Criminal AUSAs spend substantial time reviewing legal process such as search warrants and wiretap applications, making charging decisions, managing discovery, handling detention and suppression hearings, negotiating plea resolutions, and litigating at trial and sentencing. Attorneys in the Criminal Division also handle criminal asset recovery matters including restitution and forfeiture work.

The qualified applicant would be expected to:

• Assist federal law enforcement agents in structuring and implementing criminal investigative plans and strategies;
• Make thoughtful charging decisions;
• Litigate cases of moderate to high complexity from grand jury through trial and appeal.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing.
• Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• Must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicants should be capable of managing numerous ongoing litigation matters - including juggling court appearances, grand jury presentations, pleading deadlines, and discovery production - in a collegial, supportive manner.
• Applicants should have experience appearing in court, arbitrations, and/or depositions.
• Trial experience is preferred.
• Applicants should possess superior research and writing abilities, with the ability to prepare high-quality, persuasive pleadings.

Residency Requirements

Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Security Requirements

Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Salary Information

Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of pay is $79,667 to $197,100 which includes locality pay.

Other Benefits

The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Travel

Occasional travel within and outside the District will be required.

EEO Statement/Policy

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.