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Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal Division)

U.S. Department of Justice
Richland, WA Full Time
POSTED ON 9/26/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/23/2027
Hiring Organization
USAO Eastern District of Washington
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-13055328-AUSA
Location:
825 Jadwin Avenue
Richland, WA 99352 - United States
Application Deadline:
Friday, September 25, 2026
About the Office

The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington is seeking dedicated attorneys to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSA) in our Criminal Division. You will be assigned to prosecute general crimes, focusing on organized crime, child exploitation, drug trafficking, human trafficking, immigration, and firearm related offenses. AUSAs handle cases from investigations through trial and sentencing with integrity and efficiency.

Job Description

Working for the Department of Justice as an AUSA provides tremendous opportunities to develop litigation skills at an accelerated rate. Few litigation positions, whether in private practice, government, or military service, offer such rich and varied experiences and responsibilities. Working in the Criminal Division, you will be a part of a dedicated team representing the United States, and your job will be to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons, every time. AUSAs work hard to keep the community safe, uphold victim's rights, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law. We are seeking motivated individuals who enjoy working on a wide variety of challenging litigation matters while supported by colleagues and law enforcement officers of the highest caliber. AUSAs are encouraged to grow professionally through the support of mentors and the Department of Justice's world-class training resources, including by periodically attending seminars at the DOJ's National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina.

The person who fills this AUSA position will be part of a dedicated team assisting in the enforcement and prosecution of federal criminal laws. The primary assignment will include the investigation and prosecution of a wide range of criminal matters that may include drug trafficking, violent crime, firearms offenses, organized crime, money laundering, child exploitation, terrorism, fraud, criminal immigration, and public corruption. Criminal AUSAs spend substantial time reviewing legal process, such as search warrants, assisting federal law enforcement agents in structuring and implementing criminal investigative plans and strategies; making thoughtful charging decisions; managing discovery, handling detention and suppression hearings, negotiating plea resolutions, and litigating at trial and sentencing. Collateral duties will be assigned, as needed, including program leadership, training, outreach, and other division priorities.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as an AUSA is trained and gains experience.

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.

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.

Qualifications

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.

Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar in any jurisdiction.

Applicants must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia.

Bar membership documents must be submitted to show active status.

Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

Applicants should demonstrate a quick analytical ability and the capacity to accurately articulate critical issues in a case.

Superior oral and writing skills, along with strong research and interpersonal skills, are essential. Applicants should also exhibit good judgment.

Applicants must possess excellent communication and courtroom skills and demonstrate the ability to work professionally with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.

A demonstrated ability to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment is required.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Application Process

Please apply to the USAJobs advertisement here: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/883337400

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  • Required - Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process).
  • Required - Your resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment (include day/month/year).
  • Required, if applicable - To get Veterans' Preference, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire and you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. See the "How you will be Evaluated" section for details regarding what is appropriate Veterans' Preference documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.
  • Required, if applicable - A recent copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), showing title, series, grade and current salary; and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
  • Encouraged - A writing sample (5-10 pages).
  • Encouraged - Cover Letter.


The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Eastern District of Washington who can be reached at (509) 835-6364 or reganne.curtis@usdoj.gov.

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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

As needed, additional vacancies may be filled using this announcement.

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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Salary

$76,748 - $197,100 per year

Benefits:

Vacation & Paid Time Off, Health Insurance, Retirement Plan

Salary : $76,748 - $197,100

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