Assistant United States Attorney Criminal

United States Attorneys' Offices; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 77,000 - 201,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Montana is seeking experienced, motivated Assistant U.S. Attorneys to join the Criminal Division in the Billings office and in Helena or Great Falls.

The role concentrates on drug trafficking, immigration-related crimes, firearms trafficking, and fraud, with opportunities to handle other district needs as they arise. Responsibilities include supporting federal investigations, grand jury participation, and handling mid- to high-complexity

Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active bar membership in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Bar admission on or before the start date.

Responsibilities

• Assist federal law enforcement with investigations and prosecutions in the Criminal Division.
• Litigate cases from start to finish with limited supervision.
• Participate in grand jury proceedings and present witnesses.
• Work as liaison with agencies and handle assigned responsibilities.
• Some travel may be required.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Research skills

Analytical skills

Courtroom advocacy

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

E-filing systems

Job description

Summary

Our mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States, provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to administer and enforce the Nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. We strive to maintain the high standards of the office by promoting professional development. We seek to build a legacy of excellence.

Summary

Our mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States, provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to administer and enforce the Nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. We strive to maintain the high standards of the office by promoting professional development. We seek to build a legacy of excellence.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt

Duties

Help

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana is seeking experienced, motivated, and prosecution-oriented attorneys to join its Criminal Division. The office seeks to hire an Assistant U.S. Attorney who will be assigned to the Criminal Division in the Billings branch office and an Assistant U.S. Attorney who will be assigned to the Criminal Division in either the Helena or Great Falls branch office.
The casework for the Billings position will focus on investigating and prosecuting drug trafficking; crimes related to immigration matters such as gang-related crimes involving aliens, child trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, unlawful voting, firearms trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, and fraud committed by aliens; and similar areas of responsibility as determined by the needs of the district.
The casework for the Helena/Great Falls position will focus on investigating and prosecuting violent crime, drug distribution, and fraud committed in Indian Country and on reservations. The successful candidate may be assigned to act as a liaison between a reservation and the United States Attorney's Office. Additional casework may involve drug trafficking, criminal immigration, illegal firearm possession, organized crime, human trafficking, child exploitation/child pornography, and other areas of responsibility as determined by the needs of the district.
The qualified applicants would be expected to (a) assist federal law enforcement agents in structuring and implementing criminal investigative plans and strategies; (b) actively participate in grand jury proceedings, including the presentation of witnesses before the grand jury; (c) litigate cases of moderate to high complexity from start to finish with limited supervision; (d) write and argue appeals; (e) handle additional point of contact assignments based on the office's needs; and (f) handle ancillary coordinator assignments within the office as assigned. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Some travel may be required.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

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 is 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 (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a July 2026 bar examination may be considered, subject to the foregoing requirements.
United States citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. The ideal candidate will have:

• Superior oral and written communication skills;
• Excellent research and analytical skills;
• High EQ and interpersonal skills, and good judgment;
• Excellent advocacy and courtroom skills;
• The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies;
• A demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment;
• Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to track and meet deadlines across multiple active cases;
• Excellent computer literacy including experience and competence with automated electronic court filing.

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:

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 $76,748 to $200,743 which includes 17.06% locality pay.

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.

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be considered as appropriate based on qualifications.

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