Assistant United States Attorney Criminal

About the Role

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana seeks to hire two Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) for its Criminal Division, one assigned to the Billings branch office and one to the Great Falls branch office. Casework will vary based on the qualifications of the successful candidates and the needs of the district.

• Billings Position: Focus on investigating and prosecuting drug trafficking; crimes related to immigration (e.g., gang-related crimes involving aliens, child trafficking/smuggling, unlawful voting, firearms trafficking/smuggling, fraud committed by aliens).
• Great Falls Position: Focus on investigating and prosecuting violent crime, drug distribution, and fraud in Indian Country and on reservations. May serve as a liaison between reservations and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Additional casework may include criminal immigration, illegal firearm possession, organized crime, human trafficking, child exploitation/pornography, and other areas as needed.

Responsibilities

• Assist federal law enforcement agents in structuring and implementing criminal investigative plans and strategies.
• Actively participate in grand jury proceedings, including presenting witnesses.
• Litigate cases of moderate to high complexity from start to finish with limited supervision.
• Write and argue appeals.
• Handle additional point-of-contact assignments based on office needs.
• Manage ancillary coordinator assignments within the office.
• Responsibilities will increase in complexity as training and experience progress.

Some travel (1 to 5 nights per month) may be required.

Requirements

• United States citizenship or nationality.
• J.D. degree and active membership in the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by entry-on-duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking the July 2026 bar examination may be considered.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof (28 U.S.C. 545).
• Selective Service registration required for male applicants born after December 31, 1959 (if applicable).
• Satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment subject to favorable background investigation.

Qualifications

Required:

• J.D. degree (or equivalent) and active bar membership (any U.S. jurisdiction).
• United States citizenship.

Preferred: Highly competitive hiring process. Ideal candidates will demonstrate:

• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ), interpersonal skills, and sound judgment.
• Strong advocacy and courtroom skills.
• Ability to work professionally with attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.
• Capacity to function with minimal guidance in a demanding environment.
• Strong organizational skills, including tracking and meeting deadlines across multiple cases.
• Proficiency with automated electronic court filing systems.

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 $200,743, 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 and health insurance.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

Relocation expenses will not be authorized.