Assistant United States Attorney

A Government Entity

  • Chattanooga, TN
  • 3 Years
  • Full Time
  • 26-TNE-12884996-AUSA
  • 82,459 - 197,100 / Yearly
  • Not Specified
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Closing Date: 4th March, 2026

Description:

Summary:
The Eastern District of Tennessee is comprised of 55 attorneys located in three staffed offices: Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Greeneville. The District enjoys a challenging mix of cases, a friendly and talented staff, and excellent agency relationships. The District is located in a temperate climate zone, with four distinct, gentle seasons. The area is surrounded by four national parks and numerous lakes, which are a part of the Tennessee River basin.

Duties:
  • The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee is seeking applications from experienced attorneys with a strong background in criminal prosecution for an Assistant United States Attorney vacancy in the Criminal Division. This position is focused on the promotion of public safety in the Eastern District of Tennessee. The incumbent will be responsible for prosecuting and leading federal investigation into a wide array of criminal activity, including crimes against children, violent crimes, and human trafficking. The incumbent may also be called upon to prosecute matters involving organized crime, official corruption, narcotrafficking, fraud, money laundering, and criminal immigration offenses. Duties include independently researching legal issues, drafting high-quality briefs, providing superior oral advocacy on behalf of the United States, and forging strong partnerships with law enforcement to identify and disrupt criminal activities within the District and beyond. The incumbent will be expected to handle all stages of criminal litigation, including regular appearances before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Applicants should have courtroom experience arguing motions and conducting trials, possess outstanding analytical abilities, and be able to articulate critical legal issues clearly and succinctly both in written pleadings and in court.
  • Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
  • As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
  • For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/.
  • This position is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Greeneville, Tennessee.
  • 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.

Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
  • 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.

Qualifications:
  • Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school, be an active member of the bar (any U. S. jurisdiction) and have at least three (3) years post-J.D. legal experience and exceptional computer literacy skills to include experience with automated research on the Internet, electronic court filing, and electronic email and word processing systems.
  • Preferred qualifications: Applicants should possess superior communication and courtroom skills, exhibit exceptional research and writing ability, perform thorough legal and factual analyses, demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, exercise good judgment, and function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. Applicants should exhibit the ability to work in a professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.
  • United States citizenship is required.
  • 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 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 and Volunteer Legal Internships. 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: Travel may be required to attend court proceedings, interview witnesses, attend meetings, and perform other case-related functions. Travel is also required for recurring training at the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Center, in Columbia, SC.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • EEO Statement: 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.
  • 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.

How You Will Be Evaluated