Assistant United States Attorney Criminal
Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys See More Job Openings by This EmployerOur mission is to enforce the law and defend the interest of the United States, provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to administer and enforce the Nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. We strive to maintain the high standards of the office by promoting professional development. We seek to build a legacy of excellence.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt
The office seeks to hire an Assistant U.S. Attorney who will be assigned to the Criminal Division in the Billings branch office and an Assistant U.S. Attorney who will be assigned to the Criminal Division in the Great Falls branch office. Depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidates, the casework for the positions will vary and may cover a wide range of matters.
The casework for the Billings position will focus on investigating and prosecuting drug trafficking; crimes related to immigration matters such as gang-related crimes involving aliens, child trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, unlawful voting, firearms trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, and fraud committed by aliens; and similar areas of responsibility as determined by the needs of the district.
The casework for the Great Falls position will focus on investigating and prosecuting violent crime, drug distribution, and fraud committed in Indian Country and on reservations. The successful candidate may be assigned to act as a liaison between a reservation and the United States Attorney's Office. Additional casework may involve criminal immigration, illegal firearm possession, organized crime, human trafficking, child exploitation/child pornography, and other areas of responsibility as determined by the needs of the district.
The qualified applicants 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; (e) handle additional point of contact assignments based on the office's needs; and (f) handle ancillary coordinator assignments within the office as assigned. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Some travel may be required.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
- You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
- J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
- Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a July 2026 bar examination may be considered, subject to the foregoing requirements.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. The ideal candidate will have:
- Superior oral and written communication skills;
- Excellent research and analytical skills;
- High EQ and interpersonal skills, and good judgment;
- Excellent advocacy and courtroom skills;
- The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies;
- A demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment;
- Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to track and meet deadlines across multiple active cases;
- Excellent computer literacy including experience and competence with automated electronic court filing.
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.