Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Hiring Organization
USAO Southern District of Florida
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
25-FLS-AUSA-12797660-19

Location:
99 NE 4th Street
Miami, FL 33132 - United States

Application Deadline:
Monday, September 15, 2025
About the Office

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO), Southern District of Florida (SDFL) is seeking several experienced attorneys to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in one of the largest USAOs in the nation. These positions are located in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and/or Fort Pierce, Florida.

All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis.

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

Job Description

If you are looking for a rewarding and challenging career in public service, consider applying to be an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Southern District of Florida. As an AUSA, you will join the more than 100,000 dedicated public servants of the Department of Justice and will further the Department's mission of enforcing federal law, defending the interests of the United States, seeking just punishment for the guilty, and ensuring the impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida is the tip of the spear for national efforts to combat illegal immigration, illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings, and targeting the Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. As such, practicing in this district offers a fast-paced, challenging, and varied caseload, with frequent courtroom appearances.

The Southern District of Florida carries one of the busiest criminal trial dockets in the nation. If selected, you will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal laws that protect life, liberty and the property of 7.2 million people within our District that extends over 300 miles from Key West to Vero Beach. The Southern District of Florida is headquartered in Miami and has offices located in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Fort Pierce. These AUSA positions will be filled for all locations. Applicants may apply to work in a single office, or to more than one location, based on personal preference.

Applicants to the Office's Criminal Division will represent the United States as an AUSA in a wide range of criminal cases. You will be responsible for prosecuting a variety of violations of federal laws including with respect to cartels and transnational criminal organizations; violent crime and firearms violations; illegal immigration; international narcotics and money laundering; corporate, securities, healthcare and investment fraud; cyber-enabled crime; counterterrorism, counterintelligence and other national security matters; human trafficking; and public corruption and civil rights.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.

United States citizenship is required.

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

Preferred Qualifications:
Applicants should possess superior oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the capacity to function in a highly demanding environment with minimal guidance. The successful candidate should have strong academic credentials and at least 3 years of post J.D. experience.

Application Process

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

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/15/2025 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 Southern District of Florida via email at Melissa.Innocent@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.

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 - Your resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment (include day/month/year). (cover letter optional).
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.
Required - Proof of active bar membership
Required - Cover letter
Required - Writing sample

The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Southern District of Florida who can be reached via email at Melissa.Innocent@usdoj.gov.

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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Salary

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$120,086 to $195,100 which includes 24.67% locality pay.