Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Hiring Organization
USAO Western District of North Carolina
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-NCW-12844157-AUSA

Location:
100 Otis Street
Room 233, U.S. Courthouse
Asheville, NC 28801 - United States

Application Deadline:
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
About the Office

The United States Attorney's Office is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the Western District of North Carolina. This includes all criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. The district extends over 13,563.9 square miles and includes 32 counties. The population of our district is over three million people. Mecklenburg is the largest county in WDNC with over one million people. Graham is the smallest with just over 8,000 people. Charlotte is the largest city in the state, the 2nd largest banking center in America, and has a metropolitan area of 1.8 million people. Half of the great Smoky Mountains National Park, approximately 800 square miles is in the Western District of North Carolina as well as 250 of the 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Pisgah and Nantahala Forest cover over one million acres of our district. The largest Native American Community in the eastern half of the United States, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is in WDNC.

Job Description

The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is seeking qualified Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) candidates for the Criminal Division in Asheville, North Carolina. As a member of the Criminal Division, attorneys are responsible for the prosecution of a variety of crimes under federal law including violent crimes, fraud, public corruption, illegal immigration, child pornography, human trafficking, drug violations, firearms violations, terrorism, and asset forfeiture.

The Criminal AUSA position offers a unique and challenging experience for a highly motivated team player with the desire to litigate extensively. Applicants must demonstrate analytical ability, good judgment, organizational skills, excellent writing, and communication and courtroom skills. In addition, applicants must exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with courthouse personnel, other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:
The selected applicant will focus on a wide variety of federal criminal cases which may include violent crime, drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, money laundering, and firearms offenses. The selected applicant will be assigned complex cases involving lengthy investigations and voluminous discovery. Applicant must be a strong researcher and writer and may be required to submit a writing sample. At least five (5) years of criminal litigation experience is preferred, although we consider applicants with a variety of legal backgrounds.

Applicant must have a demonstrated capacity to function with minimal supervision in a highly demanding work environment and a strong desire to practice in North Carolina. The ideal applicant should possess superior communication and courtroom skills, exhibit exceptional research and writing ability, comport themselves with the highest degree of professionalism and ethical standards, and demonstrate strong interpersonal and professional skills. Applicants must also exhibit the ability to work with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies in a professional manner while functioning in a highly demanding work environment.

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

Application Process

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/10/2025 to receive consideration.

Applications will only be accepted through USAjobs website at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/851479200

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 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.

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.

• 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.

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

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 basic pay is $73,939 to $195,200.; which includes 17.06% locality pay.

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