Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) - Open Continuous
Department of Justice · Washington, District of Columbia
- Salary
- $87,515 - $197,100 per year
- Pay grade
- AD-21
- Schedule
- Full-time
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Opened
- Oct 5, 2026
- Closes
- Sep 30, 2027
- Remote
- No
- Telework eligible
- Yes
- Openings
- Few
- Security clearance
- Top Secret
- Promotion potential
- 29
- Announcement
- 27-DC-13082061-AUSA
Who may apply: Open to the public
Applications are submitted on USAJOBS.gov, not on Careers.org. Always confirm details in the official announcement.
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.
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 Section (NSS) 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…
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 preferred. 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. The ideal candidate will have conducted at least five jury trials as co-chair or first chair. 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
Job data from USAJOBS.gov. Careers.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM. Retrieved Nov 4, 2026, 10:16 AM EST.