Assistant United States Attorney

United States Attorneys' Offices; Riverside (CA); On-site; USD 118,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework

Relocation assistance

Paid vacation

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California seeks Assistant United States Attorneys to join the Criminal and National Security Divisions. The roles involve prosecuting federal cases, advising law enforcement, and presenting to the grand jury, with opportunities to work on national security matters.

Initial appointment depends on a satisfactory background check and selective service verification.

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar membership required.
• Preferred qualifications include litigation experience, strong writing, and courtroom presence.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute federal cases in the Central District of California's Criminal Division.
• Advise federal law enforcement on investigations, present cases to the grand jury, and handle post‑trial and appellate matters.
• Support national security and cyber security efforts within the National Security Division.

Skills

Litigation experience

Oral advocacy

Legal writing

Education

J.D. degree

California bar exam (if not already active)

Job description

Summary
The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California (USAO) is one of the largest and most impactful in the nation, serving nearly 20 million people in seven counties. The Office enforces the laws and defends the interests of the United States through three primary litigating Divisions: Criminal, National Security, and Civil. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/

Summary
The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California (USAO) is one of the largest and most impactful in the nation, serving nearly 20 million people in seven counties. The Office enforces the laws and defends the interests of the United States through three primary litigating Divisions: Criminal, National Security, and Civil. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/
Duties
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The U.S. Attorneys Office for Central District of California is seeking to hire Assistant United States Attorneys to work in the Criminal and National Security Divisions. Assistant United States Attorneys in the Criminal Division prosecute federal cases in the Central District of California and advise federal law enforcement agents on investigations, present cases to the grand jury, try cases before the United States District Court, and represent the United States in criminal appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Assistant United States Attorneys in the National Security Division are responsible for combating national security and cyber security threats facing our region and our nation.
If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you. With a diverse and talented workforce of over 100,000 people, the mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty and the property of citizens.
The USAO is divided into three litigating Divisions (Criminal, National Security, and Civil). The USAO's main offices are in Los Angeles. The USAO's Criminal Division has branch offices in Santa Ana and Riverside. 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.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.htmlAs needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
This is an open continuous announcement that is intended to continually solicit applications in order to fill immediate and future vacancies. Vacant positions may or may not be available at the time of application. Applications will be reviewed and referred as vacancies occur and will only remain active for seven (5) months from the date of submission. Applicants will be notified when their applications have been reviewed/referred for further consideration.
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 www.sss.gov.
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, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction).If not already an active member of the California bar, any applicant hired will be required to take and subsequently pass the California bar exam. AUSAs must become active members of the California bar and maintain California bar membership.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Hiring for AUSA positions within the USAO is highly competitive. The USAO seeks a diverse complement of lawyers with a wide range of exceptional skills and experience, unified by keen intelligence and sincere commitment to public interest. Litigation experience, superior academic record, excellent writing skills, impeccable character, demonstrated interest in public service, courtroom presence, and the ability to work with and relate to a wide variety of people are all taken into account. Most attorneys hired have several years of experience, although highly qualified recent graduates with some experience in practice or as a judicial clerk are also considered. Ties to the Central District of California will be considered. All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
United States citizenship is required.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon time of applying.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree by Enter on Duty (EOD) date.
Additional information
Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience.The following years of experience as a license attorney or law clerk determined the AD grade:
AD-21: 0-2 years
AD-23: 3-4 years
AD-25: 5 years
AD-26: 6 years
AD-27: 7 years
AD-28: 8 years
AD-29: 9 plus years
The range of pay is $114,525 to 197,100 for AD 21 through AD 29.
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 may be authorized. Not authorized for less than 100 miles distance from the old duty station. A recruitment bonus may be authorized.
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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: 1 to 5 nights of travel required per month.
Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political Appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
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.
EEO Statement/Policy: 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, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
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.
Help
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.