Closing Date: 23rd June, 2026
Description:
Summary:The Western District of Kentucky covers 53 western counties in Kentucky. The main office is in Louisville, Kentucky, with staffed offices in Bowling Green and Paducah and an unstaffed office in Owensboro. The office presently has 42 attorneys and 38 support staff. The office seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States.
This position is located in Louisville, Kentucky.
Duties:
An appointment with the U.S. Attorney's Office offers unique and challenging experiences for the highly motivated attorney; an opportunity to work on their own caseload and handle their own trials.
The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Criminal Division in the Louisville office.
Assistant United States Attorneys assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute a variety of federal criminal cases involving violent crime, fraud, public corruption, illegal immigration, possession of child pornography, human trafficking, drug violations, firearms violations, terrorism, and asset forfeiture.
The successful applicant will receive extensive Department of Justice training, including trial advocacy courses.
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.
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Qualifications:
This is a Term Appointment Not-to-Exceed three (3) years or 9/30/2029. However, it may be extended or made permanent without further competition.
Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) and have at least two (2) years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred qualifications: Outstanding academic record; at least two years of litigation experience; strong legal research and writing ability; strong advocacy skills; superior organizational skills; and computer literacy skills. Applicants will be expected to do independent legal research and writing and shall be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings. Preferred applicants will have excellent communication skills and demonstrated team building and leadership skills.
If not a member of the Kentucky Bar, a successful applicant is encouraged to become a member of the Kentucky Bar within a reasonable period of time.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
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.
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 $76,748 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: Travel may be required throughout the Western District of Kentucky to attend court proceedings, interview witnesses, and attend meetings. Travel may also be required for training.
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 Term Appointment Not-to-Exceed three (3) years or 9/30/2029. However, it may be extended or made permanent without further competition.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or 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 United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Criminal Division in the Louisville office.
Assistant United States Attorneys assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute a variety of federal criminal cases involving violent crime, fraud, public corruption, illegal immigration, possession of child pornography, human trafficking, drug violations, firearms violations, terrorism, and asset forfeiture.
The successful applicant will receive extensive Department of Justice training, including trial advocacy courses.
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.
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:
This is a Term Appointment Not-to-Exceed three (3) years or 9/30/2029. However, it may be extended or made permanent without further competition.
Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) and have at least two (2) years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred qualifications: Outstanding academic record; at least two years of litigation experience; strong legal research and writing ability; strong advocacy skills; superior organizational skills; and computer literacy skills. Applicants will be expected to do independent legal research and writing and shall be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings. Preferred applicants will have excellent communication skills and demonstrated team building and leadership skills.
If not a member of the Kentucky Bar, a successful applicant is encouraged to become a member of the Kentucky Bar within a reasonable period of time.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
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.
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 $76,748 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: Travel may be required throughout the Western District of Kentucky to attend court proceedings, interview witnesses, and attend meetings. Travel may also be required for training.
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 Term Appointment Not-to-Exceed three (3) years or 9/30/2029. However, it may be extended or made permanent without further competition.
Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or 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*1wz3k9m*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODExNTg3OTAkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzgxMTU5NDA0JGo0OCRsMCRoMA..)
Review our benefits (https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.?_gl=1*1wz3k9m*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODExNTg3OTAkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzgxMTU5NDA0JGo0OCRsMCRoMA..
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.
Review our benefits (https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Pay_and_Benefits.?_gl=1*1wz3k9m*_ga*NjQ0MjQ5MzQ5LjE3MjU1OTI5OTA.*_ga_CLZB1LJ1VZ*czE3ODExNTg3OTAkbzE1JGcxJHQxNzgxMTU5NDA0JGo0OCRsMCRoMA..
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.