Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Hiring Organization
USAO District of Montana
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-MT-12831800-AUSA

Location:
Missoula, MT - United States

Application Deadline:
Friday, December 5, 2025
About the Office

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana is considered a medium sized district and has offices located in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula. The Criminal Division prosecutes a wide range of federal cases involving immigration, terrorism, domestic and international narcotics distribution, illegal firearm possession, violent crime, child exploitation/child pornography, human trafficking, organized crime, complex securities and fraud cases, health care fraud, and public corruption. Those matters include the prosecution of violent crimes and other cases on most of Montana’s Native American Reservations, including homicide, sexual and non-sexual assault, burglary, drug distribution, and fraud. The Civil Division prosecutes and defends affirmative and defensive cases filed in the District of Montana, at both the trial an appellate level, involving matters such as health care, civil rights, the environment, false claims, immigration, tort and discrimination claims against the sovereign, the internet, telecommunications, energy policies, and the First Amendment. AUSAs are assigned to a unit within either the criminal or civil divisions.

Job Description

The casework for this position would entail the investigation and prosecution of matters ranging from drug distribution including trafficking on reservations, criminal immigration, violent crime, illegal firearm possession, organized crime, human trafficking, child exploitation/child pornography, and economic/fraud crimes, with primary emphasis on drug trafficking, firearms, immigration, and violent crime. The successful candidate for this position will work in the Missoula branch office and may be assigned to act as a liaison between a reservation and the United States Attorney. The qualified applicant 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; and (e) handle additional point of contact assignments based on the office’s needs.

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

Qualifications

Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and must currently be an active member of a state bar in order to be considered. Proof of an active bar membership and copy of Diploma or transcripts are highly encouraged. One (1) full year of postgraduate legal experience, or other relevant experience, is required.

United States citizenship is required.

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

Application Process

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 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 experience and dates of employment (include month/year), date J.D. was awarded (include month/year), and date of Bar Admission.
Encouraged – Writing Sample
Encouraged – Copy of JD Diploma or Transcripts
Encouraged – Proof of Active Bar Membership
Highly Recommend – A cover letter expressing your interest in the position as well as your interest in relocating to Montana, if not currently a resident.
Required, if applicable – To get Veteran’s Preference, you must indicate you 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 a veterans’ preference information in you cover letter or resume.

Candidates should submit their applications through USAJOBS at:

Job Announcement Number

26-MT-12831800-AUSA

Control Number

849804600

USAJOBS URL

https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/849804600

Applicants without access to e-mail may mail their application materials to the following address:

United States Attorney's Office
Attn: Kari Johnshoy
101 Front Street, Suite 401
Missoula, MT 59802

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

AUSA pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of annual pay is $73,939 to $173,485, which includes 17.06% locality pay.