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. For more information about the District of South Carolina, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc. There are two vacancies 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. The Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) enjoy genuine camaraderie with their colleagues while pursuing rewarding careers, both professionally and personally.

The Criminal Division is comprised of three Sections:

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

In prosecuting federal crimes, AUSAs work with a broad range of federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Secret Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; the Drug Enforcement Agency; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service; Postal Inspection Service; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; and Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, among others.

Due to the range and complexity of the work, Criminal AUSAs are expected to demonstrate initiative and ability sufficient to independently manage all phases of a criminal case, from investigation to post-conviction litigation. AUSAs must possess:

• Interpersonal skills conducive to working with a variety of federal and state law enforcement agents, defense attorneys, judges, and court staff.
• Oral and written communication skills for presenting cases to the grand jury, representing the government in court hearings, trying cases, and writing trial and appellate briefs.
• Superior character and judgment in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion and the discharge of their duties.

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

Responsibilities

Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys are responsible for independently managing all phases of criminal cases, including:

• Investigating and prosecuting federal crimes.
• Presenting cases to the grand jury.
• Representing the government in court hearings and trials.
• Writing trial and appellate briefs.
• Exercising prosecutorial discretion with superior judgment.

Requirements

• Must be a United States Citizen or National.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing.
• Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
• 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:

• J.D. degree.
• Active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• United States citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong academic background and excellent research and writing skills.
• Strong work ethic and good organizational skills.
• Fair and sound judgment, attentiveness to facts and details.
• Ability to work well both independently and on a team.
• Leadership skills and willingness to assist other AUSAs.
• Excellent negotiation skills.
• Effective representation of the Government's interests at hearings and trials before the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
• Criminal trial experience (federal or state) or commensurate civil trial experience.
• Particular knowledge, skills, or training involving civil rights, accounting, banking, tax compliance, or financial investigations (preferred but not required).

Pay

Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $76,748 to $197,100, which includes 17.06% locality pay.

Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

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

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Additional Information

• Occasional travel may be expected for this position, both within and outside the district.
• Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest.
• Political appointees (current or former) must disclose their status to the HR Office.