What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
Hiring Organization
USAO District of Montana
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Job ID
25-MT-12619652-AUSA
Location:
Great Falls, MT - United States
Application Deadline:
Thursday, December 4, 2025
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 child exploitation/child pornography, human trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, complex securities and fraud cases, international narcotics, health care fraud, and public corruption. The District also prosecutes in federal court those violent crime cases which occur on Native American Reservations. These cases include white collar, assault, burglary, drugs, sexual assault, and homicide. AUSAs assigned to the reservations act as a liaison between the reservation(s) and the United States Attorney. The Civil Division prosecutes and defends every conceivable variety of affirmative and defensive cases filed in the District of Montana, at both the trial and appellate levels, involving matters such as health care, civil rights, environmental, false claims, immigration matters, all varieties of tort and discriminatory claims against the sovereign, the internet, telecommunications, energy policies, and First Amendment issues. AUSAs are assigned to a unit within either the criminal or civil divisions in one of the branch offices.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Job Description
The District prosecutes a full range of federal criminal cases. The casework for this position would entail the investigation and prosecution of matters ranging from child exploitation/child pornography, drug crimes, violent crimes, including firearms offenses, organized crime, criminal immigration matters, economic crimes, and general crimes. The casework will have an emphasis on violent, drug, and fraud crimes. 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; and (d) write and argue his or her own appeals in addition to assisting in the drafting, editing, and arguing of other appeals as assigned. This position may also be assigned cases specific to Indian Country.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one year of post-J.D. or other relevant experience. United States citizenship is required.
Application Process
You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Required - Your resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment (include month/year), date J.D. was awarded (include month/year), and date of Bar Admission (include month/year).
Highly Recommended - A cover letter expressing your interest in the position as well as your interest in relocating to Montana, if not currently a resident.
Highly Recommended - A writing sample.
Required, if applicable - To get Veterans' Preference, you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.
Candidates should submit their application through USAJOBS at:
Job Announcement Number
25-MT-12619652-AUSA
Control Number
820209600
USAJOBS URL
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/820209600
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 $72,553 to $170,236, which includes 16.82% locality pay.
USAO District of Montana
Hiring Office
Criminal Division
Job ID
25-MT-12619652-AUSA
Location:
Great Falls, MT - United States
Application Deadline:
Thursday, December 4, 2025
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 child exploitation/child pornography, human trafficking, organized crime, terrorism, complex securities and fraud cases, international narcotics, health care fraud, and public corruption. The District also prosecutes in federal court those violent crime cases which occur on Native American Reservations. These cases include white collar, assault, burglary, drugs, sexual assault, and homicide. AUSAs assigned to the reservations act as a liaison between the reservation(s) and the United States Attorney. The Civil Division prosecutes and defends every conceivable variety of affirmative and defensive cases filed in the District of Montana, at both the trial and appellate levels, involving matters such as health care, civil rights, environmental, false claims, immigration matters, all varieties of tort and discriminatory claims against the sovereign, the internet, telecommunications, energy policies, and First Amendment issues. AUSAs are assigned to a unit within either the criminal or civil divisions in one of the branch offices.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Job Description
The District prosecutes a full range of federal criminal cases. The casework for this position would entail the investigation and prosecution of matters ranging from child exploitation/child pornography, drug crimes, violent crimes, including firearms offenses, organized crime, criminal immigration matters, economic crimes, and general crimes. The casework will have an emphasis on violent, drug, and fraud crimes. 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; and (d) write and argue his or her own appeals in addition to assisting in the drafting, editing, and arguing of other appeals as assigned. This position may also be assigned cases specific to Indian Country.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
Qualifications
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one year of post-J.D. or other relevant experience. United States citizenship is required.
Application Process
You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Required - Your resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment (include month/year), date J.D. was awarded (include month/year), and date of Bar Admission (include month/year).
Highly Recommended - A cover letter expressing your interest in the position as well as your interest in relocating to Montana, if not currently a resident.
Highly Recommended - A writing sample.
Required, if applicable - To get Veterans' Preference, you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.
Candidates should submit their application through USAJOBS at:
Job Announcement Number
25-MT-12619652-AUSA
Control Number
820209600
USAJOBS URL
https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/820209600
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 $72,553 to $170,236, which includes 16.82% locality pay.
Salary : $72,553 - $170,236
