Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Represents the Federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States, including criminal prosecutions for violations of Federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. Learn more about the District of South Carolina.

Two vacancies available in Columbia, Charleston, Florence, or Greenville, SC.

About the role

The Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office in South Carolina provides a fulfilling and supportive work environment. Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) enjoy genuine camaraderie with colleagues while pursuing rewarding careers. The Criminal Division comprises three sections:

• White Collar, Human Trafficking, and Child Exploitation Section: Prosecutors handle cases including financial fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption, human trafficking, and child exploitation investigations and prosecutions.
• Major Crimes Section: Prosecutors handle violent crime, firearms offenses, and immigration offenses.
• Narcotics and Organized Crime Section: Prosecutors handle investigations and prosecutions of criminal organizations, including gang prosecutions, narcotics trafficking, and cases from the Homeland Security Task Force (a multi-agency effort led by DHS, FBI, and HSI).

In prosecuting federal crimes, AUSAs collaborate with agencies such as the FBI, U.S. Secret Service, ATF, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS, Postal Inspection Service, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

Criminal AUSAs are expected to independently manage all phases of a criminal case, from investigation to post-conviction litigation. They must demonstrate interpersonal skills for working with law enforcement, defense attorneys, judges, and court staff; oral and written communication skills for presenting cases to grand juries, court hearings, trials, and appellate briefs; and superior character and judgment in exercising prosecutorial discretion.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and experience progress.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute federal criminal cases across the White Collar, Human Trafficking, Child Exploitation, Major Crimes, and Narcotics/Organized Crime sections.
• Manage all phases of criminal cases, including investigation, grand jury presentations, court hearings, trials, and post-conviction litigation.
• Collaborate with federal and state law enforcement agencies, defense attorneys, judges, and court staff.
• Prepare and present trial and appellate briefs.
• Exercise prosecutorial discretion with integrity and sound judgment.
• Demonstrate initiative and ability to handle increasingly complex assignments.

Requirements

• United States citizenship or nationality.
• J.D. degree and active membership in the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof (28 U.S.C. 545).
• Selective Service registration, if applicable (male applicants born after December 31, 1959).
• Satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax checks, and drug testing.
• Favorable adjudication of a background investigation for continued employment.

Qualifications

Required:

• J.D. degree and active bar membership (any U.S. jurisdiction).

Preferred:

• Strong academic background and excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong work ethic, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Fair and sound judgment, ability to work independently and on a team.
• Leadership skills and willingness to assist other AUSAs.
• Excellent negotiation skills and effective representation in court.
• Criminal trial experience (federal or state) or commensurate civil trial experience.
• Knowledge, skills, or training in civil rights, accounting, banking, tax compliance, or financial investigations (preferred but not required).

Pay

Assistant United States Attorney pay is administratively determined based on years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $76,748 to $197,100, including 17.06% locality pay.

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Telework options.
• Life insurance and health benefits.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Learn more about federal benefits.

Schedule

Occasional travel may be required, both within and outside the district.