Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA)

Location: 601 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20530 – United States Overview The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is accepting applications for attorneys to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Office's Civil Division. AUSAs in the Civil Division represent the U.S. Government in both affirmative and defensive civil litigation in trial and appellate courts. Job Description The Civil Division does not have formal subcomponents; Civil AUSAs may be assigned all types of cases and remain responsible for all proceedings in their assigned cases from inception until final resolution, including trial and appeals. Approximately eighty percent of the defensive case docket consists of cases brought under the Freedom of Information Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, the federal employment discrimination laws, and the immigration laws; other defensive cases such as Federal Tort Claims Act and Privacy Act cases account for smaller percentages. Civil AUSAs must serve as effective and dedicated advocates for the government's interests, pursue just resolution of their assigned cases efficiently, and make sound, legally supportable decisions. They must possess foresight and organizational and legal skills to manage a large and diverse caseload involving lengthy and difficult litigation, identify relevant legal and factual issues, and develop and implement strategies for all proceedings, including motions practice, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and appeal. They must work well with colleagues, supervisors, support staff, and other participants in litigation such as court personnel, opposing counsel, agency counsel, and witnesses. Strong legal research skills, the ability to produce high‑quality written work under deadline pressure, and persuasive oral advocacy are essential. Newly hired Civil AUSAs are expected to quickly develop subject matter expertise in all areas regularly practiced by the Civil Division and to acquire expert‑level knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence. Responsibilities increase and assignments become more complex as training and experience progress. Qualifications Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member of the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction, and have at least one year of post‑J.D. legal or other relevant experience. Applicants must be a United States Citizen or National. Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have one to five years of experience working on complex civil litigation and be seeking the opportunity to handle own cases, including leading arguments in court, conducting trials, taking depositions, and drafting briefs. Candidates should possess superior communication and advocacy skills; exceptional research and writing ability; thorough legal and factual analysis; an ability to work well with others; mature judgment; and a keen desire for public service. They should function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Residency Requirements Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which they are appointed or within 25 miles thereof. Security Requirements Initial appointment is conditioned upon satisfactory pre‑employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. The appointment is temporary, not to exceed 14 months from effective date, and will convert to a permanent appointment after a favorable full‑field background investigation. Failure to obtain a favorable adjudication or to perform satisfactorily during the two‑year probationary period may result in removal from federal service. Applicants must obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information access, depending on assignment. Selective Service If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt under the Selective Service Law. Type of Position All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14‑month temporary basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation. Temporary appointments may be extended or made permanent without further competition. Salary and Benefits Assistant United States Attorneys are paid on an administratively determined pay scale. The basic pay range is $84,601 to $195,100, including locality pay. The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Number of Positions Few Travel Occasional travel may be required. Relocation Expenses Relocation expenses will not be authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr The United States Department of Justice