The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) protects the American public and U.S. interests by investigating and prosecuting certain complex international immigration and violent crime cases over which the U.S. has jurisdiction.
Duties
The Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice is seeking qualified, experienced trial attorneys for the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP), located in Washington, D.C., to serve on Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), the Attorney General's priority task force initiative, to investigate and prosecute the leaders and organizers of cartels and transnational criminal organizations involved in human smuggling and trafficking crimes throughout the Americas that impact the safety and security of our nation's borders and communities. As a JTFA Trial Attorney at HRSP, the incumbent will: Investigate and prosecute complex, proactive cases involving human smuggling and trafficking federal offenses and related complex immigration crimes, along with other activities related to violent crime and transnational organized crime, to include material support for terrorism, kidnapping/hostage taking, sexual assault and abuse, fraud, narcotics trafficking, weapons trafficking, offenses involving minors, and money laundering. Collect evidence utilizing a myriad of techniques and tools, to potentially include Title III wiretaps, undercover law enforcement activities, and foreign-based evidence. Advise and consult with HRSP/JTFA leadership and others on the status of all cases and matters. Build and enhance relationships with partner Assistant United States Attorneys and prosecutors from other Department litigating components and offices to pursue human smuggling and trafficking investigations and prosecutions. Develop and maintain relationships with federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies and prosecutor counterparts that investigate and prosecute human smuggling, trafficking and related cases. Advise federal prosecutors and law enforcement in developing investigative and prosecutorial strategies. Such advice will include providing guidance concerning search and seizure warrants, criminal and civil forfeiture allegations, international law enforcement coordination, indictments, and other pleadings. Support the coordination and sharing of information and evidence between law enforcement offices to maximize the effectiveness of the Department's investigations, prosecutions, and forfeitures involving human smuggling, trafficking and related cases. Interact with a variety of personnel from federal law enforcement agencies across the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and elsewhere, as well as the intelligence community and other organizations on cases and various projects and issues related to human smuggling and trafficking.
Salary
Qualifications
Required Qualifications: Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent, degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing. To qualify at the GS-15 grade level, applicants must have at least four (4) years post J.D. legal experience, one of which was specialized experience at, or equivalent to, the GS-14 grade level. Examples of specialized experience include: independently performing legal analysis; composing pleadings, briefs and other court documents involving unique and/or difficult legal issues in civil or criminal litigation; conducting highly complex civil or criminal litigation; and leading paralegals and support staff. Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of and experience with federal human smuggling and trafficking statutes, immigration law, and/or other federal violations relating to cartels and transnational organized crime. Prior experience working on international criminal cases. Experience working in or with U.S. Attorneys' Offices. At least two (2) years' trial experience as a prosecutor or trial attorney handling criminal matters. Experience investigating criminal matters involving complex or sensitive law enforcement techniques. Spanish-language fluency is helpful but not required.
Education
A J.D., or equivalent, degree. Applicants who possess an equivalent degree rather than a J.D. may be subject to additional review by the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management.
Required Documents
See "How to Apply"
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes the Assessment Questionnaire and the Required Documents indicated below. The Application Package must be received by 11:59 PM, Eastern Time, on 04/14/2026. We recommend that you preview the online questions for this announcement before you start the application process. You may preview the assessment questionnaire by clicking https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12905250. You are strongly encouraged to convert your resume to an Adobe PDF file prior to submitting your application, especially if you are submitting using a Mac system. Resumes not pre-converted to a PDF file will undergo conversion by the system. This conversion process may cause some formatting changes to your resume, including line and page break errors. To ensure your submitted resume does not display with formatting issues, please submit your resume as a PDF. This error does not affect USAjobs resumes. A complete application package must include: Cover Letter (highlighting relevant experience). Resume - Applicants will be evaluated based on a comparison of the position requirements against the quality and extent of experience or related education as reflected in their resume. Applicants are encouraged to ensure work experiences clearly show the possession of knowledge of the subject matter pertinent to the position and the technical skills to successfully perform the duties of the position. Your resume must be no more than 2 pages. Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted. Please ensure all information you believe is qualifying for the position is contained within your resume, or you may be marked ineligible. Additionally, your resume must include your JD date and the following information for each job listed: month and year, start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), and full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week). Assessment Questionnaire (you will be prompted to complete this when you apply online). Documentation of eligibility for special hiring authorities (if applicable) to prove appointment eligibility. Examples include: Schedule A disability letter, Peace Corps volunteer letter, military spouse hiring authority documentation, etc. Current or Former Political Appointees (if applicable) - please note on your resume and attach an SF-50. 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 or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Schedule A Documentation (if applicable) - The Criminal Division welcomes and encourages applications from persons with disabilities and is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department. The Criminal Division also encourages eligible Schedule A applicants to submit their resumes directly to CRM's disability POC at crm.schedulea@usdoj.gov. Veterans Preference Documentation (if applicable): If you are a discharged, non-disabled veteran, you must submit a copy of your DD-214 showing character discharge (Member 4 copy), or other Documentation of Service and Separation under Honorable Conditions. If you don't have your DD-214, you may request it after discharge from the National Archives at www.archives.gov/veterans. If you are a veteran within 120 days of discharge, you must submit signed documentation from the Armed Forces certifying: 1) your expected release/retirement from active duty, 2) under honorable conditions, 3) your pay grade/rank/rate at time of discharge, 4) dates of active duty service, 5) any campaign or expeditionary medals received, and 6) dated within 120 days of your separation. If you are a disabled veteran, Purple Heart recipient, or mother or spouse of a disabled or deceased veteran, you must submit a completed SF-15 http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf and all additional proof required by the SF-15, as applicable. If you don't have your Department of Veterans Affairs letter establishing proof of disability, you may request it at https://www.va.gov/resources/getting-started-with-va/ or call 1-800-827-1000. To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the assessment questionnaire. Please ensure you click the "Submit My Answers" button at the end of the process.
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