Closing Date: 30th August, 2026
Description:
Summary:The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Middle District of North Carolina is seeking an experienced attorney for a temporary appointment as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in our Criminal Division at our Winston-Salem branch office.
Please Note: This is a term position. This position may be extended, or made permanent, with further advertising.
Duties:
The incumbent will represent the U.S. Government as an Assistant United States Attorney in a wide range of unique and complex criminal cases. You will be responsible for prosecuting a variety of violations of federal laws such as drug trafficking, trafficking of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, and illegal drug use. Also, the prosecution of Immigration matters, including but not limited to 1) gang-related crimes involving aliens; 2) child trafficking and smuggling involving aliens within the United States; 3) unlawful voting by aliens; 4) firearms trafficking and smuggling involving aliens; 5) violations of the Alien Registration Act; and 6) violations of or fraud relating to Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act.
The prosecution of immigration matters includes civil defensive litigation resulting from and/or related to the Department's efforts to enforce the nation's immigration laws and keep the country safe from crime associated with illegal immigration, including but not limited to, civil immigration habeas matters.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
Applicants must demonstrate superior analytical abilities; possess strong research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills; and independently exercise fair and sound judgment. Candidates must adhere to all Department of Justice and United States Attorney's Office policies; work collaboratively and professionally with fellow attorneys, support staff, and law enforcement partners; and interact effectively and respectfully with opposing counsel. Applicants should be able to represent the United States persuasively, ethically, and justly in court, and must show a strong commitment to public service and dedication to excellence.
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 3 years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in criminal investigations and prosecutions is preferred. Applicant should possess superior oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the capacity to function in a highly demanding environment with minimal guidance.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Education:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional Information:
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 $82,459 to $197,100 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; 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.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorneys-vacancies) and Volunteer Legal Internships (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/volunteer-internship-opportunities). The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: Occassional travel may be required.
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.
Type of Position: This is a temporary position not-to-exceed 09/30/2029. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition or advertisement.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): 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. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Additional Information:
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.
Benefits:
The prosecution of immigration matters includes civil defensive litigation resulting from and/or related to the Department's efforts to enforce the nation's immigration laws and keep the country safe from crime associated with illegal immigration, including but not limited to, civil immigration habeas matters.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprints, 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.
Qualifications:
Applicants must demonstrate superior analytical abilities; possess strong research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills; and independently exercise fair and sound judgment. Candidates must adhere to all Department of Justice and United States Attorney's Office policies; work collaboratively and professionally with fellow attorneys, support staff, and law enforcement partners; and interact effectively and respectfully with opposing counsel. Applicants should be able to represent the United States persuasively, ethically, and justly in court, and must show a strong commitment to public service and dedication to excellence.
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 3 years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in criminal investigations and prosecutions is preferred. Applicant should possess superior oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the capacity to function in a highly demanding environment with minimal guidance.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Education:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional Information:
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 $82,459 to $197,100 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; 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.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorneys-vacancies) and Volunteer Legal Internships (http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/volunteer-internship-opportunities). The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
Travel: Occassional travel may be required.
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.
Type of Position: This is a temporary position not-to-exceed 09/30/2029. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition or advertisement.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): 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. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.
EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
Additional Information:
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.
Benefits:
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. Learn more about federal benefits. (https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/benefits?_gl=1*aiksgn*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODc3MTk5NDMkbzExJGcxJHQxNzg3NzIxNDM5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..)
Review our benefits (https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.?_gl=1*aiksgn*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODc3MTk5NDMkbzExJGcxJHQxNzg3NzIxNDM5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..)
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to clai
Review our benefits (https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.?_gl=1*aiksgn*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODc3MTk5NDMkbzExJGcxJHQxNzg3NzIxNDM5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA..)
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.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to clai
