Closing Date: 10th January, 2026
Description:
About the Office:The Department of Justice represents the United States in legal disputes, prosecutes federal crimes, and upholds the rule of law. Our mission is to safeguard communities from criminal threats, including violent crime, illicit drug trafficking, illegal immigration, child sexual exploitation, fraud, sex trafficking, and national security violations. The Department of Justice also represents the United States in civil matters.
If you are looking for an exciting and challenging career, this is the position for you! With a talented workforce of over 100,000 people, the mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty and the property of citizens.
The United States Attorney's Office is the chief law enforcement agency in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and is responsible for representing the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the District. This includes 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.
Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit https://www.justice.gov/
All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
The Eastern District of Pennsylvania is responsible for one of the nation's largest districts covering about 4,700 square miles with over 5 million people residing within its nine counties. The district is unique in its diversity, evident not only in its environment but also in its population. From a large metropolitan city to country farm to mountain town, the district represents a microcosm of the nation. Cultures from all parts of the world have migrated to this region and have established themselves as members of a Pennsylvania community.
For more information, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa
Job Description:
Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) located in the Criminal Division are responsible for investigating and prosecuting a variety of violations of federal laws, including immigration, violent crime, drug trafficking, fraud, public corruption, and national security offenses.
The attorney must have strong analytical reasoning, legal acumen, written and oral advocacy, and work ethic. The attorney must also exhibit good organizational skills, exercise fair and sound judgment, pay careful attention to facts and details, excel in both independent and team settings, negotiate effectively with opposing counsel, handle matters in court persuasively on behalf of the United States of America, and possess a deep commitment to justice and public service.
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: Hiring preferences include strong academic records, outstanding organizational skills, superior exceptional legal writing and research ability skills, demonstrated analytical ability, good judgment and courtroom skills, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service.
The ideal candidate will have three or more years of post-J.D. experience litigating cases with substantial responsibility for all aspects of discovery and trial.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Required Documents: 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.
- Required: Writing Sample
- Required: Proof of Active Bar Membership (any jurisdiction)
- Required: for Federal Employees, your most recent SF-50
- 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.
Current or Former Political Appointees: 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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
- Position title;
- Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
- Agency; and
- Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
Evaluation Method: Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview.
The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Type of Position: All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
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 $63,136 to $165,209. The total salary range to include the 37.95% Allentown locality pay is $87,096 to $195,100 and the 28.99% Philadelphia locality pay is $81,474 to $195,100.
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees
