Closing Date: 16th October, 2026
Description:
Summary:The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (USAO-DC) is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Assistant United States Attorney's (AUSA) assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute a broad range of U.S. Code violations in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
Duties:
The Scam Center Strike Force Section of the Criminal Division is accepting applications for attorneys to serve as line and supervisory AUSAs in the Criminal Division. The Criminal Division is responsible for investigating and prosecuting criminal cases in U.S. District Court.
The Scam Center Strike Force (SCSF) is a first-of-its kind initiative that investigates and prosecutes enterprise transnational organized crime (TOC) groups that target Americans with cyber-enabled and crypto investment fraud (CIF) schemes. The SCSF works with more than five law enforcement agencies and hundreds of agents across the country to investigate and charge wire fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking cases. The SCSF also works with other government agencies in a whole-of-government approach, to include the Departments of State and the Department of the Treasury, to target individuals, organizations, and networks involved perpetrating CIF schemes. To date the SCSF has restrained more than $932 million in cryptocurrency associated with money laundering of wire fraud proceeds, which it seeks to return to U.S. victims. SCSF AUSAs are required to manage multiple, fast-paced, international cases, and apply creative and novel solutions to their work. The SCSF is particularly looking for applicants who have demonstrated an interest and skill in investigations involving cryptocurrency, cyber crime, international targets, and criminal or civil forfeiture.
Applicants should review the SCSF's website prior to applying. https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/scam-center-strike-force
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
This position is located in Washington, D.C.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. The initial appointment is temporary not-to-exceed 14 months from the effective date. The appointment will be converted to a permanent appointment after receiving a favorable adjudication of a full-field background investigation. Failure to obtain a favorable adjudication from the background investigation process could result in your removal from federal service. Once you have been converted to a permanent position, you will be subject to a two-year probationary period. Failure to successfully perform during this probationary period could result in your removal from federal service.
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.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. A minimum of three years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience is required.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience as a prosecutor, including complex investigation, substantive writing, and multiple jury trials, or other significant experience that can make a unique contribution to the work of the Criminal Division. A judicial clerkship and experience as federal prosecutor are preferred. Additionally, the ideal candidate's work experience will demonstrate the following: a commitment to public service and the rule of law; high moral character; sound judgment; a strong work ethic; superior communication and advocacy skills before judges and juries; exceptional research and writing ability; thorough legal and factual analysis; an ability to work well with others; and an ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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: This is an excepted service attorney appointment under an Administrative Determined pay scale. (See www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information/administratively-determined-pay-plan-charts). Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. These positions range from AD-23 to AD-29. The range of pay is $94,350 to $197,100 which includes 33.94% locality pay. For additional information on salary and benefits, visit www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits.
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.
The Scam Center Strike Force (SCSF) is a first-of-its kind initiative that investigates and prosecutes enterprise transnational organized crime (TOC) groups that target Americans with cyber-enabled and crypto investment fraud (CIF) schemes. The SCSF works with more than five law enforcement agencies and hundreds of agents across the country to investigate and charge wire fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking cases. The SCSF also works with other government agencies in a whole-of-government approach, to include the Departments of State and the Department of the Treasury, to target individuals, organizations, and networks involved perpetrating CIF schemes. To date the SCSF has restrained more than $932 million in cryptocurrency associated with money laundering of wire fraud proceeds, which it seeks to return to U.S. victims. SCSF AUSAs are required to manage multiple, fast-paced, international cases, and apply creative and novel solutions to their work. The SCSF is particularly looking for applicants who have demonstrated an interest and skill in investigations involving cryptocurrency, cyber crime, international targets, and criminal or civil forfeiture.
Applicants should review the SCSF's website prior to applying. https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/scam-center-strike-force
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
This position is located in Washington, D.C.
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorney's Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/careers/careers.html
Requirements:
Conditions of Employment:
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. The initial appointment is temporary not-to-exceed 14 months from the effective date. The appointment will be converted to a permanent appointment after receiving a favorable adjudication of a full-field background investigation. Failure to obtain a favorable adjudication from the background investigation process could result in your removal from federal service. Once you have been converted to a permanent position, you will be subject to a two-year probationary period. Failure to successfully perform during this probationary period could result in your removal from federal service.
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.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access depending on organizational assignment / duty location.
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one year post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience. A minimum of three years of post J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience is required.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have extensive experience as a prosecutor, including complex investigation, substantive writing, and multiple jury trials, or other significant experience that can make a unique contribution to the work of the Criminal Division. A judicial clerkship and experience as federal prosecutor are preferred. Additionally, the ideal candidate's work experience will demonstrate the following: a commitment to public service and the rule of law; high moral character; sound judgment; a strong work ethic; superior communication and advocacy skills before judges and juries; exceptional research and writing ability; thorough legal and factual analysis; an ability to work well with others; and an ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
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: This is an excepted service attorney appointment under an Administrative Determined pay scale. (See www.justice.gov/usao/career-center/salary-information/administratively-determined-pay-plan-charts). Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. These positions range from AD-23 to AD-29. The range of pay is $94,350 to $197,100 which includes 33.94% locality pay. For additional information on salary and benefits, visit www.justice.gov/legal-careers/attorney-salaries-promotions-and-benefits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.