Description
The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Montana litigates all cases on behalf of the United States. Its primary role is to prosecute federal crimes and defend federal agencies. The Montana USAO has offices in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula. The Civil Division handles a wide array of cases at both the trial and appellate levels: with its attorneys regularly appearing in court and practicing at the highest levels. Cases can involve medical malpractice, endangered species, oil spills, civil rights, immigration, police pursuits, Native American relations, public lands access, wrongful death, employment discrimination, and the full panoply of constitutional issues.
The United States Attorney is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA). The successful applicant will represent the U.S. Government in court on a wide range of unique and complex cases in the District of Montana. This position will focus on defensive civil litigation, including all contested case hearings (motions to dismiss, summary judgment), trials (bench and jury), and Ninth Circuit appellate arguments in the types of cases referenced above. Most often civil cases involve torts, employment, administrative law (including environmental), Bivens, public lands, civil rights and constitutional causes of action. Our practice covers every aspect of civil litigation from the time the case is filed, through pre-trial planning, discovery, pretrial motions, trial, and appeal. The position may be located in the Missoula, Helena, or Billings offices.
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 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.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- You must be a United States Citizen or National.
- 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.
- J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.
- Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Applicant must possess a J.D. degree and must currently be an active member of a state bar in order to be considered. One (1) full year of postgraduate legal experience is required.
United States citizenship is required.
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;
- Excellent computer literacy including experience and competence with automated electronic court filing.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
Additional information
Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $76,748 to $200,743 which includes 17.06% locality pay.
Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; 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.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
