Assistant United States Attorney

Summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey seeks attorneys to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Criminal or Civil Divisions in Newark, Trenton, and Camden. AUSAs handle a broad range of matters advancing the criminal and civil legal interests of the federal government.

Position may be stationed in any of the three offices in the District of New Jersey (Newark, Trenton, or Camden), and you should indicate a preference in your cover letter.

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Duties

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Criminal Division. The Criminal Division investigates and prosecutes violations of federal criminal law throughout New Jersey, working to protect communities, uphold public safety, and enforce federal statutes. The Division handles a wide range of criminal matters, including narcotics trafficking, organized crime and gang activity, economic and financial fraud, cybercrime, public corruption, health care fraud, money laundering, and offenses involving transnational criminal organizations.

Civil Division. The Civil Division represents the United States, its agencies, and federal employees in a broad range of civil litigation and affirmative enforcement matters. The Division primarily defends the government in federal court actions involving immigration, tort claims, employment discrimination, constitutional and civil rights claims, real property disputes, environmental matters, commercial litigation, challenges to agency actions, and other civil lawsuits. Civil Division attorneys manage all phases of litigation, including case assessment, discovery, motion practice, alternative dispute resolution, hearings, trials, and appeals. In addition to defensive litigation, the Division handles affirmative enforcement matters such as actions under the False Claims Act, civil rights enforcement cases, and collection, foreclosure, and bankruptcy proceedings. The Division also represents the United States in specialized federal litigation, including habeas corpus petitions and other post-conviction matters. Depending on operational needs, attorneys may handle motions involving compassionate release, sentence reductions, early termination of supervised release, and other federal litigation matters. Civil Division attorneys regularly coordinate with components of the Department of Justice and federal agencies on matters of national significance and provide legal counsel and representation to advance and protect the interests of the United States.

Special Programs. The United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey is seeking attorneys, including attorneys with 1 to 3 years of legal experience, to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Criminal and Civil Divisions to support priority litigation needs within the Office. In the near term, these AUSAs will work primarily in the Civil Division representing the United States, its agencies, and employees in matters including habeas corpus petitions fi led by illegal aliens and related post-conviction litigation. Additional responsibilities may include matters involving compassionate release, sentence reductions, and other federal litigation, as operational needs require. These positions offer attorneys the opportunity to gain substantial federal litigation experience and, over time, transition into broader assignments within the Civil or Criminal Divisions consistent with the Office's evolving needs. The United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey is seeking to fill Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) positions to staff a newly formed Special Programs Unit, which will focus on a mix of criminal and civil programs. The selected AUSAs will begin their work primarily in the Civil Division to represent the United States, its agencies, and employees with respect to petitions for habeas corpus filed by illegal aliens. In addition, the selected AUSAs may represent the United States in matters including, but not limited to, motions for post-conviction release fi led under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, motions for compassionate release under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c), motions for early termination of supervised release under 18 U.S.C. § 3583(e), and motions for reduction of sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c) and the U.S. Sentencing Commission's Amendment 821.

This is an open continuous announcement that is intended to solicit applications in order to fill immediate and future vacancies. Applications will be reviewed and referred as vacancies occur and will only remain active until December 31, 2026. Applicants will be notified when their applications have been reviewed/referred for further consideration. Hiring will occur on a rolling basis.

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.

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.

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 from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• 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.
• You 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, and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).

United States citizenship is required.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

Additional information

Salary Information : An 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 $65,563 to $171,787 and $84,570 to $197,100 which includes 28.99% locality pay for Camden NJ or 37.95% locality pay for Newark/Trenton NJ.

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

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.