This is an open continuous announcement to fill current and future vacancies.
Applicant lists will be pulled on 02/09/2026 and every two weeks thereafter until the closing date.
Positions are open until filled but no later than April 30 2026. Candidates must apply to each vacancy for which they want to be considered.
This position is located in El Centro Imperial Valley CA.
Overview of the United States Attorneys Office - Southern District of California- The Southern District of California (SDCA) is one of the largest U.S. Attorneys offices in the country with one of the largest caseloads. This office prosecutes federal crimes and defends the interests of the United States government in civil cases. SDCA encompasses San Diego and Imperial Counties and includes a branch office in Imperial California.
Duties of Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys- The Criminal Division is organized into three sections: General Crimes Organized Crimes and Special Prosecution. (See the San Diego U.S. Attorneys office website for a detailed description of each section). The General Crimes Section is comprised of four units: Intake Fast Track three Trial Teams and the Sentencing Unit. Most Criminal AUSAs begin their careers in General Crimes. General Crimes handles a large volume of reactive cases that arise from policing the 141-mile-long border between California and Mexico six Ports of Entry and the roughly 70 miles of coastline stretching from the U.S./Mexico border to the northernmost tip of San Diego County. Such cases commonly include illegal entry and reentry drug importation and smuggling and alien smuggling. Aside from their reactive cases prosecutors in the section also handle firearms-related matters drug distribution child exploitation fraud and other prosecutions. General Crimes prosecutors try a large number of cases and conduct proactive investigations using a wide range of investigative tools and pursue matters involving undercover operations and confidential sources. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint credit and tax checks and drug addition continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
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 .
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: Applicants must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and an aptitude for accurately articulating the critical issues in a case. Applicants must demonstrate superior oral and writing skills as well as strong research and interpersonal skills and good judgment. Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom skills and exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys support staff and client agencies. Applicants must also have demonstrated excellent computer literacy skills to include experience with automated research on the Internet electronic court filing and electronic e-mail and word processing systems. AUSAs receive training by the U.S. Department of Justice and by the U.S. Attorneys Office. Appointment is subject to an FBI background investigation including credit arrest and drug use inquiries.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree must currently be an active bar member of a state bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction) and have a least 1 year post-J.D. (or equivalent) legal or other relevant experience in order to be considered.
Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorneys pay is administratively determined based in part on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $89474 to $197100 per annum which includes a 36.47% locality pay.
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes in part paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; 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.
Benefits: This is a temporary position which offers limited benefits such as paid vacation sick leave telework and holidays.
Relocation Expenses: Eligible relocation costs of up to $15000 may be authorized for permanent transfers only.
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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: Occasional Travel both within and outside the District as necessary.
Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their 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 03/31/2028. This position 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.
Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint credit and tax checks and drug 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.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Required Experience:
Junior IC