Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

United States Attorneys' Offices; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 93,000 - 197,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maine seeks an experienced Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) to join the Criminal Division at our Portland headquarters. The position prosecutes federal crimes and represents the United States in hearings and trials. Applicants must hold a J.D.

degree and be an active member of the bar, with at least two years of post‑J.D. experience and proven excellence in trial advocacy and legal writing.

Qualifications

• Must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar (any jurisdiction).
• Minimum of two years of post‑J.D. experience and demonstrated excellence in trial advocacy and legal writing.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute federal criminal cases and represent the United States before grand juries and in hearings and trials.
• Work with law enforcement and other agencies to investigate federal offenses and develop case strategy.
• Probationary period applies; position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.

Skills

Trial advocacy

Legal writing

Criminal trial experience

Post‑JD experience

Bar admission

Electronic discovery

Education

J.D. degree

Tools

Electronic discovery

Job description

Summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maine has a position available for an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in our Criminal Division. The District of Maine encompasses the entire state, which has a population of over 1.3 million. This vacancy is in our headquarters office, located in Portland. Maine's largest city is a vibrant, dynamic community located on gorgeous Casco Bay. For additional information regarding our office, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me.

The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maine has a position available for an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in our Criminal Division. The District of Maine encompasses the entire state, which has a population of over 1.3 million. This vacancy is in our headquarters office, located in Portland. Maine's largest city is a vibrant, dynamic community located on gorgeous Casco Bay. For additional information regarding our office, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-me.

Duties

Help

The Office has one opening for an experienced litigator to serve as an AUSA in the Criminal Division in our Portland office.

As needed, additional position may be filled.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Maine, with offices in Bangor and Portland, prosecutes all criminal and civil cases brought by the federal government and defends the United States in civil cases in Maine. The position of an AUSA provides one with the responsibility and the authority to improve the lives of Americans who live in Maine and across the United States. Working as a federal prosecutor sworn to pursue justice in the name of the United States is deeply satisfying. Many lawyers look back on their days as an AUSA as among the most rewarding of their professional careers.

Criminal AUSAs in the District of Maine improve the quality of life for all Maine residents by prosecuting violent crimes, narcotics trafficking, immigration offenses, human trafficking, child exploitation, fraud and other white-collar offenses, fi rearms offenses, civil rights offenses, terrorism, political corruption and an array of other federal criminal laws. The selected AUSA will work with law enforcement agents and others to investigate federal criminal offenses, research and brief legal issues, and represent the United States before grand juries and in hearings and trials. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and experience progress. All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are subject to favorable adjudication of background check parameters and certified completion of a probationary/trial period. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.

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

• 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.
• All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Upon completion of the probationary period, written certification is a requirement for continued employment.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and be an active member in good standing of the bar (any jurisdiction). Applicants must have a minimum of two years of post-J.D. experience and demonstrated excellence in trial advocacy and legal writing.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least three years of federal or state prosecutorial experience, preferably working in a county or state prosecutor's office, a U.S. Attorney's Office and/or a Department of Justice litigating component;
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex cases from the initial investigative stage through trial;
• Strong academic credentials and superior legal research and writing skills;
• Significant criminal trial experience and excellent courtroom skills;
• Incisive analytical ability and an aptitude for accurately and precisely articulating the critical issues in a case;
• A demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service;
• Impeccable integrity;
• Outstanding organizational, time management and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies;
• Excellent computer literacy skills and the ability to handle all aspects of electronic discovery and litigation; and
• A strong desire to practice in Maine.

Conflicts of Interest. Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with Rule 1.7 of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct (regarding conflicts of interest) in connection with any matters in which the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine is involved. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you currently are representing clients or adjudicating matters in which the U.S. Attorney's Office is involved and/or whether you have family members who are representing clients or adjudicating matters in which the U.S. Attorney's Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be resolved under those circumstances.

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

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

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 pay is $93,392 to $197,100 per year, which includes 32.58% locality pay.

Other Benefits

The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; 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.

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

Occasional travel, both within and outside the District of Maine, will be required. Travel requirements typically entail no more than 1-5 days per month.

Type of Position

All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Upon completion of your probationary period, written certification is a requirement for continued employment. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Political Appointees (Current and 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.

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, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.

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.

Review our benefits

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.