What are the responsibilities and job description for the Criminal Assistant US Attorney position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Hiring Organization
USAO District of Montana
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-MT-12912389-AUSA
Location:
Great Falls, MT - United States
Application Deadline:
Monday, March 30, 2026
About the Office
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana is considered a medium sized district and has offices located in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula. The Criminal Division prosecutes a wide range of federal cases involving immigration, terrorism, domestic and international narcotics distribution, illegal firearm possession, violent crime, child exploitation/child pornography, human trafficking, organized crime, complex securities and fraud cases, health care fraud, and public corruption. Those matters include the prosecution of violent crimes and other cases on most of Montana’s Native American Reservations, including homicide, sexual and non-sexual assault, burglary, drug distribution, and fraud. The Civil Division prosecutes and defends affirmative and defensive cases filed in the District of Montana, at both the trial and appellate level, involving matters such as health care, civil rights, the environment, false claims, immigration, tort and discrimination claims against the sovereign, the internet, telecommunications, energy policies, and the First Amendment. AUSAs are assigned to a unit within either the criminal or civil divisions.
Job Description
The casework for this position would entail the investigation and prosecution of matters ranging from drug distribution including trafficking on reservations, criminal immigration, violent crime, illegal firearm possession, organized crime, human trafficking, child exploitation/child pornography, and economic/fraud crimes, with primary emphasis on violent crime, drug trafficking, and fraud committed in Indian Country. The successful candidate for this position will work in the Great Falls branch office and may be assigned to act as a liaison between a reservation and the United States Attorney. The qualified applicant would be expected to (a) assist federal law enforcement agents in structuring and implementing criminal investigative plans and strategies; (b) actively participate in grand jury proceedings, including the presentation of witnesses before the grand jury; (c) litigate cases of moderate to high complexity from start to finish with limited supervision; (d) write and argue appeals; and (e) handle additional point of contact assignments based on the office’s needs.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and must currently be an active member of a state bar in order to be considered.
United States citizenship is required.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. The ideal candidate will have:
Superior oral and written communication skills;
Excellent research and analytical skills;
High EQ and interpersonal skills, and good judgment;
Excellent advocacy and courtroom skills;
The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies;
A demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment;
Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to track and meet deadlines across multiple active cases;
Application Process
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 cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements. Include relevant experience and dates of employment (include month/year), date J.D. was awarded (include month/year), and date of Bar Admission.
Encouraged – Writing Sample
Encouraged – Copy of JD Diploma or Transcripts
Encouraged – Proof of Active Bar Membership
Highly Recommend – A cover letter expressing your interest in the position as well as your interest in relocating to Montana, if not currently a resident.
Required, if applicable – To get Veteran’s Preference, you must indicate you 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 a veterans’ preference information in you cover letter or resume.
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.
Candidates should submit their applications through USAJOBS at:
Job Announcement Number
26-MT-12912389-AUSA
Control Number
861302500
USAJOBS URL
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/861302500
Applicants without access to e-mail may mail their application materials to the following address:
United States Attorney's Office
Attn: Kari Johnshoy
101 Front Street, Suite 401
Missoula, MT 59802
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
AUSA pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of annual pay is $76,748 to $200,743, which includes 17.06% locality pay.
USAO District of Montana
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Attorney Appointment Type
Attorney Permanent
Job ID
26-MT-12912389-AUSA
Location:
Great Falls, MT - United States
Application Deadline:
Monday, March 30, 2026
About the Office
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Montana is considered a medium sized district and has offices located in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena and Missoula. The Criminal Division prosecutes a wide range of federal cases involving immigration, terrorism, domestic and international narcotics distribution, illegal firearm possession, violent crime, child exploitation/child pornography, human trafficking, organized crime, complex securities and fraud cases, health care fraud, and public corruption. Those matters include the prosecution of violent crimes and other cases on most of Montana’s Native American Reservations, including homicide, sexual and non-sexual assault, burglary, drug distribution, and fraud. The Civil Division prosecutes and defends affirmative and defensive cases filed in the District of Montana, at both the trial and appellate level, involving matters such as health care, civil rights, the environment, false claims, immigration, tort and discrimination claims against the sovereign, the internet, telecommunications, energy policies, and the First Amendment. AUSAs are assigned to a unit within either the criminal or civil divisions.
Job Description
The casework for this position would entail the investigation and prosecution of matters ranging from drug distribution including trafficking on reservations, criminal immigration, violent crime, illegal firearm possession, organized crime, human trafficking, child exploitation/child pornography, and economic/fraud crimes, with primary emphasis on violent crime, drug trafficking, and fraud committed in Indian Country. The successful candidate for this position will work in the Great Falls branch office and may be assigned to act as a liaison between a reservation and the United States Attorney. The qualified applicant would be expected to (a) assist federal law enforcement agents in structuring and implementing criminal investigative plans and strategies; (b) actively participate in grand jury proceedings, including the presentation of witnesses before the grand jury; (c) litigate cases of moderate to high complexity from start to finish with limited supervision; (d) write and argue appeals; and (e) handle additional point of contact assignments based on the office’s needs.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree and must currently be an active member of a state bar in order to be considered.
United States citizenship is required.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. The ideal candidate will have:
Superior oral and written communication skills;
Excellent research and analytical skills;
High EQ and interpersonal skills, and good judgment;
Excellent advocacy and courtroom skills;
The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies;
A demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment;
Excellent organizational capabilities, including the ability to track and meet deadlines across multiple active cases;
Application Process
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 cannot exceed two pages - you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages - see USAJOBS for formatting requirements. Include relevant experience and dates of employment (include month/year), date J.D. was awarded (include month/year), and date of Bar Admission.
Encouraged – Writing Sample
Encouraged – Copy of JD Diploma or Transcripts
Encouraged – Proof of Active Bar Membership
Highly Recommend – A cover letter expressing your interest in the position as well as your interest in relocating to Montana, if not currently a resident.
Required, if applicable – To get Veteran’s Preference, you must indicate you 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 a veterans’ preference information in you cover letter or resume.
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.
Candidates should submit their applications through USAJOBS at:
Job Announcement Number
26-MT-12912389-AUSA
Control Number
861302500
USAJOBS URL
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/861302500
Applicants without access to e-mail may mail their application materials to the following address:
United States Attorney's Office
Attn: Kari Johnshoy
101 Front Street, Suite 401
Missoula, MT 59802
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
AUSA pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of annual pay is $76,748 to $200,743, which includes 17.06% locality pay.
Salary : $76,748 - $200,743