Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) Open Continuous

United States Attorneys' Offices; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 76,749 - 182,031; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Health benefits

Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System

Job summary

The United States Attorneys' Offices is seeking an Assistant U.S. Attorney located in New Mexico. The role involves prosecuting a wide range of federal crimes, including breaches of national security and violent crime. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and active bar membership, with the potential for travel required as duties progress.

Benefits include paid vacation, health benefits, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. Salary ranges from $76,749 to $182,031 depending on location and experience.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
• Must reside in the district appointed or within 25 miles.
• Registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• Satisfactory pre‑employment adjudication required.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute federal crimes including national security and violent crimes.
• Increase responsibilities and complexity with experience.

Skills

Analytical ability

Oral and writing skills

Research ability

Interpersonal abilities

Judgment

Communication skills

Courtroom skills

Education

J.D. degree

Job description

Summary

This announcement will be open until positions are filled. First round consideration will be given to applications submitted by April 22, 2026, 11:59 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. Applicant lists will be reviewed approximately every 30 days. The positions are located in Albuquerque & Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Duties

Assistant U.S. Attorneys located in the District of New Mexico prosecute a wide variety of federal crimes, including breaches of national security, child exploitation, public corruption, transnational organized crime, violent crime, illegal immigration, illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings, and targeting the Cartels and Transitional Criminal Organizations designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). Responsibilities will increase and assignments become more complex as training and experience progress.

Required Qualifications

• J.D. degree and active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
• United States citizenship.
• Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.
• You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
• Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre‑employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable background investigation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Quick analytical ability and the capacity to accurately and precisely articulate critical issues in a case.
• Superior oral and writing skills, strong research and interpersonal abilities, and good judgment.
• Excellent communication and courtroom skills, and the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.

Travel

Occasional travel may be required.

Relocation

Relocation expenses will not be authorized. Relocation incentives and recruitment incentives may be authorized if the position is difficult to fill, are supported by the selected candidate's skills, and are subject to the availability of funds.

Political Appointees

Applicants who are currently or have been within the last five years a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non‑Career SES employee in the Executive Branch must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.

Security Requirements

Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre‑employment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Salary

Albuquerque, N.M.: $77,581 to $182,031, inclusive of 18.33 % locality pay.

Las Cruces, N.M.: $76,749 to $180,077, inclusive of 17.06 % locality pay.

Benefits

• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Holidays.
• Telework.
• Life insurance.
• Health benefits.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System.

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.