What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Hiring Organization
USAO Southern District of West Virginia
Hiring Office
Criminal
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-WVS-12842602-AUSA
Location:
110 North Heber Street
Room 257
Beckley, WV 25801 - United States
Application Deadline:
Monday, December 15, 2025
About the Office
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia prosecutes federal criminal offenses and defends the interests of the United States in civil cases. The office seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States. The Southern District of West Virginia covers 23 of the state's 55 counties.
Job Description
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia is seeking experienced, highly qualified litigators who have a strong criminal prosecution background, with the intellect and proven ability to handle federal criminal litigation, for the position of Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). The applicants selected would be responsible for a diverse caseload. The positions offer a unique and exciting experience for highly motivated team players with the desire to engage in challenging and important litigation. AUSAs have an opportunity to work on their own caseload and handle their own trials and appeals. Working in the Criminal Division, the AUSAs will be part of a dedicated team helping to prosecute federal criminal cases and prepare appeals.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and have at least one year of post-J.D. experience.
Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar in any jurisdiction. Additionally, local rules require all Assistant United States Attorneys to become members of the West Virginia State Bar within one year of appointment.
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.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal applicant should be self-motivated, possess impeccable integrity, and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, ethics, justice, and public service.
You must meet all required qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Application Process
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/15/2025 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)
3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact Southern District of West Virginia at 3043402388 or email at Alex.Ferguson@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.
The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Southern District of West Virginia who can be reached at 3043402388 or Alex.Ferguson@usdoj.gov
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). (cover letter optional).
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.
The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Alex Ferguson who can be reached at 304-340-2388 or Alex.Ferguson@usdoj.gov.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with targeted/severe disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff. The two-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.
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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; and
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
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
Salary
$73,939 to - $191,800 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 21
USAO Southern District of West Virginia
Hiring Office
Criminal
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-WVS-12842602-AUSA
Location:
110 North Heber Street
Room 257
Beckley, WV 25801 - United States
Application Deadline:
Monday, December 15, 2025
About the Office
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia prosecutes federal criminal offenses and defends the interests of the United States in civil cases. The office seeks to maintain the highest standards of excellence in the enforcement of federal laws and the representation of the United States. The Southern District of West Virginia covers 23 of the state's 55 counties.
Job Description
The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia is seeking experienced, highly qualified litigators who have a strong criminal prosecution background, with the intellect and proven ability to handle federal criminal litigation, for the position of Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). The applicants selected would be responsible for a diverse caseload. The positions offer a unique and exciting experience for highly motivated team players with the desire to engage in challenging and important litigation. AUSAs have an opportunity to work on their own caseload and handle their own trials and appeals. Working in the Criminal Division, the AUSAs will be part of a dedicated team helping to prosecute federal criminal cases and prepare appeals.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and have at least one year of post-J.D. experience.
Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the bar in any jurisdiction. Additionally, local rules require all Assistant United States Attorneys to become members of the West Virginia State Bar within one year of appointment.
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.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal applicant should be self-motivated, possess impeccable integrity, and demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, ethics, justice, and public service.
You must meet all required qualification requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
Application Process
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/15/2025 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.)
3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact Southern District of West Virginia at 3043402388 or email at Alex.Ferguson@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.
The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Southern District of West Virginia who can be reached at 3043402388 or Alex.Ferguson@usdoj.gov
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). (cover letter optional).
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.
The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is Alex Ferguson who can be reached at 304-340-2388 or Alex.Ferguson@usdoj.gov.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with targeted/severe disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff. The two-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.
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, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:
Position title;
Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
Agency; and
Beginning and ending dates of appointment.
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
Salary
$73,939 to - $191,800 per year
Pay scale & grade
AD 21
Salary : $191,800