Assistant United States Attorney

Overview Location: 260 W. Vine Street, Suite 300, Lexington, KY 40507, United States Application Deadline: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 About the Office One Assistant United States Attorney position located in Lexington, Kentucky. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. Our mission is to vigorously enforce federal criminal laws, effectively represent the United States in civil litigation, and meet public safety needs through an efficient, well-coordinated law enforcement effort. We promote fair and impartial administration of justice, uphold ethical standards, and build partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the community. We protect the rights of citizens, victims, and witnesses and enhance community safety through outreach and education. The USAO for the Eastern District of Kentucky has a staff of approximately 42 attorneys and 38 support personnel. The main office is in Lexington, with staffed branch offices in Ft. Mitchell and London; unstaffed offices in Ashland and Frankfort. We strive for excellence in enforcing federal laws and representing the United States. The Assistant United States Attorney AUSA selected for the General Crimes section will prosecute cases primarily involving violent crime, illegal possession or use of firearms, and child exploitation, in support of the U.S. Attorney's Office Project Safe Neighborhood and Project Safe Childhood missions. The selected candidate will be dedicated to the Criminal Division and may work on other matters as assigned, including related appeals such as drafting appellate briefs and presenting oral arguments before the Sixth Circuit. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and experience progress. Qualifications Required Qualifications: J.D. degree and active bar membership (any U.S. jurisdiction). U.S. citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Strong academic background; ability to produce high quality written work; ability to work effectively in a team; strong oral and interpersonal skills; ability to function with minimal guidance in a demanding environment; proficiency with computers and typical software; exceptional work ethic and commitment to fair and impartial justice. Must meet all qualifications by the closing date. Security Requirements: Initial appointment conditioned on satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, including fingerprints, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment subject to background investigation. Application Process You must provide a complete Application Package including: Required: Responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (completed automatically during the apply online process). Required: Your resume cannot exceed two pages; include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job: Official position title (include series/grade if Federal) Employer name and contact information Start and end dates (month, day, year) Indicate full-time or hours per week if part-time A list of duties performed and accomplishments Experience note: Volunteer and paid experience both count; include volunteer service in National Service programs and other organizations as applicable. To get Veterans Preference, indicate preference in the assessment questionnaire and submit supporting documentation. See How you will be Evaluated for details. Include veterans preference information in your cover letter or resume. Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: direct hire eligibility under Schedule A for qualified disabilities; contact a Disability Point of Contact for more information. Suitability and Citizenship: DOJ policy requires a drug-free workplace; background check; residency requirement; non-citizen eligibility restrictions; dual citizenship considerations; see details in the original posting. Current or Former Political Appointees: If you are currently or have been in the last 5 years a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-Career SES or Presidential Appointee, disclosures are required with SF-50 and related information. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM ET on July 29, 2026 to receive consideration. To apply, follow these steps: Click Apply Online to create or log in to a USAJOBS account and complete the occupational questionnaire. Submit your answers and documentation before the closing date. Verify application status in your USAJOBS account. Email contact for alternate methods: DeShawn Gordon at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. The point of contact is DeShawn Gordon at the same number and email. Salary Information: AUSA pay is determined by experience. The overall range for Lexington, KY is from 76,748 to 180,078 including locality pay. Other Benefits: DOJ offers a comprehensive benefits package including paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, telework, life insurance, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized. EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, or other non-merit factors. #J-18808-Ljbffr