Summary

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Assistant United States Attorney's (AUSA) assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute a broad range of U.S. Code violations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

This job is open to

The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

All United States Citizens and Nationals

Duties

The Criminal Division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting criminal cases in the U.S. District Court. Located in the nation's capitol. The division has jurisdiction for a broad range of consequential cases, including violent crime, child exploitation, human trafficking, drug trafficking, fraud, government corruption, cybercrime, terrorism, sanctions violations, espionage, and other threats to D.C. and the nation.

The Criminal Division is accepting applications for attorneys to serve as line and supervisory AUSAs in the Criminal Division.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit utilizes criminal, civil, and administrative tools to punish and deter criminal activity by depriving criminals of property used in or acquired through illegal activities and to recover assets that may be used to compensate victims. The caseload involves matters across all criminal sections, whether in partnership with a criminal AUSA or as an independent matter.

The Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking (CEHT) section handles a broad range of matters related to internet-based crimes against children as well as human trafficking prosecutions. CEHT primarily investigates cases involving the production of and trafficking in child pornography, commercial sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and interstate domestic violence and stalking offenses. CEHT AUSAs are often involved in interviewing victims of sexual abuse or trafficking, coordinating with law enforcement agents to charge and arrest targets, and drafting search warrants for electronic evidence.

The Federal Major Crimes (FMC) section prosecutes a range of federal crimes, with a focus on high-tempo arrest-driven prosecutions or reactive investigations. FMC prosecutes the prohibited possession of firearms and controlled substances, violent crime sprees and crews, robberies, destruction of government property, and other federal crimes in the District of Columbia. As their experience increases, FMC AUSAs have the opportunity to partner with and support AUSAs in other sections in the Criminal Division.

The Fraud, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights (FPCCR) section handles complex and challenging prosecutions intended to address a range of white-collar crimes. FPCCR prosecutes fraud offenses against government agencies, including health-care fraud, tax fraud, and federal program fraud; frauds targeting businesses, non-profits, and social institutions; money laundering networks perpetrating frauds against financial institutions and online through cryptocurrencies; and cyber-enabled frauds (such as ransomware) and crimes (such as hacking to steal funds/crypto and information). FPCCR prosecutes public corruption offenses, such as bribery; conflicts of interest; theft of government funds; election crimes; and efforts to obstruct or interfere with the lawful functioning of Congress, the Judiciary, and Executive Branch. This section also prosecutes civil rights offenses, such as crimes based on protected characteristics.

The National Security (NS) section investigates and prosecutes criminal activity that threatens our nation's security, including: international and domestic terrorism; hostage-takings and other violence against Americans outside the U.S.; export control and sanctions violations; espionage, malign foreign influence, and transnational repression; unauthorized retention or disclosure of classified information and national defense information; and cyber offenses targeted at the U.S. government or perpetrated by those connected to state actors or terrorist organizations. The section is looking for applicants who are willing and able to handle the breadth of the section's practice; particular preference will be given to those applicants who have demonstrated an interest and skill in investigations involving cryptocurrency, cyber crimes, or criminal or civil forfeiture.

The Violent Crime and Narcotic Trafficking (VCNT) section disrupts and dismantles criminal networks engaged in serious violence and large-scale firearms and drug trafficking. VCNT places an emphasis on proactive, intelligence-driven, long- and medium-term criminal investigations, and our prosecutions focus on violent street crews, transnational criminal organizations, and the district's drivers of violence. VCNT's prosecutions target everything from criminal street gangs to international drug cartels engaged in a broad range of federal offenses, including firearms and narcotics conspiracies, interstate robbery conspiracies, RICO and VICAR, darknet market drug trafficking and money laundering, and Continuing Criminal Enterprises. VCNT AUSAs advise and coordinate with law enforcement agencies on investigative steps and sequencing; draft search warrants and other legal process; present cases to the federal grand jury; brief and handle detention hearings and other hearings in court; and prosecute cases through trial.

Responsibilities and assignments will increase as your training and experience progress.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. The initial appointment is temporary not-to-exceed 14 months from the effective date. The appointment will be converted to a permanent appointment after receiving a favorable adjudication of a full-field background investigation. Failure to obtain a favorable adjudication from the background investigation process could result in your removal from federal service. Once you have been converted to a permanent position, you will be subject to a two-year probationary period. Failure to successfully perform during this probationary period could result in your removal from federal service.

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.Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.

USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Type of Position: All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14 month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.

Travel: Occasional travel may be required.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. A minimum of three years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience is required.

You must be a United States Citizen or National.

Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience as a prosecutor, including complex investigation, substantive writing, and multiple jury trials, or other significant experience that can make a unique contribution to the work of the Criminal Division. A judicial clerkship and experience as federal prosecutor are preferred. Additionally, the ideal candidate's work experience will demonstrate the following: a commitment to public service and the rule of law; high moral character; sound judgment; a strong work ethic; superior communication and advocacy skills before judges and juries; exceptional research and writing ability; thorough legal and factual analysis; an ability to work well with others; and an ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.

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

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

Additional information

Salary Information: This is an excepted service attorney appointment under an Administrative Determined pay scale. (See www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information/administratively-determined-pay-plan-charts). Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. These positions range from AD-23 to AD-29. The range of pay is $90, 896 to $195,100 which includes 33.94% locality pay. For additional information on salary and benefits, visit www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits.

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.
* * *
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.

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.

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.

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs: Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

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.

Benefits

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Evaluation Method:
This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies.

Applicant lists will be pulled on November 1, 2025 and on the 1st of every month until the closing date.

Positions are open until filled, but no later than September 30, 2026.

Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview.

The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

- Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).

Required: A Cover Letter.

- Required: Your resume cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements. Include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job:

Official position title (if Federal, include series/grade),
Employer name and contact information,
Start and end dates (for full consideration you must include month, day, and year),
Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and
A list of duties performed and accomplishments.

- Required - Unofficial or official law school transcript. (Please do not submit a restricted pdf document with encryption or password security.)
- Required - Writing Sample (such as an appellate brief, substantive brief, or memorandum) that reflects your own work and does not exceed a total of 15 pages).
- Required, if applicable: To get Veterans' Preference, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire and you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. See the "How you will be Evaluated" section for details regarding what is appropriate Veterans' Preference documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with targeted/severe disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.

Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff. The two-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.

Current or Former Political Appointees: 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; and
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2026 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)

3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia at or email at USADC.Staffers@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.

The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia who can be reached at or USADC.Staffers@usdoj.gov

Agency contact information

HR Operations USAO-DC

Email

USADC.Staffers@usdoj.gov

Address

US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
601 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20530
US

Next steps

We will notify you of the outcome after each step of the recruitment process has been completed. After making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/security background investigation, to include a credit and tax checks, and a drug test by urinalysis. We expect to make a final job offer within 120 days after the closing date of the announcement.

Overview

Accepting applications

Open & closing dates

10/08/2025 to 09/30/2026

Salary

$90,896 to - $195,100 per year

Pay scale & grade

AD 23

Location

Many vacancies in the following location:

Washington, DC

Remote job

No

Telework eligible

No

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Appointment type

Multiple

Work schedule

Full-time

Service

Excepted

Promotion potential

29

Job family (Series)

0905 Attorney

Supervisory status

No

Security clearance

Top Secret

Drug test

Yes

Position sensitivity and risk

Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk

Trust determination process

Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
National security

Financial disclosure

No

Bargaining unit status

No

Announcement number

26-DC-12811581-AUSA

Control number

847724800

US Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

ABOUT_COMPANY

Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Open Continuous

Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney

Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)