Summary The mission of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Rhode Island is to uphold federal law with fairness and integrity, ensuring the safety of all who live, work, and visit the Ocean State. The Office prosecutes federal offenses and represents the United States in civil matters before the United States District Court and appellate courts. https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri Responsibilities The United States Attorney's Office is seeking an experienced and motivated attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the Civil Division, focusing on Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) matters. ACE involves filing and litigating civil actions on behalf of the United States to recover government funds lost to fraud or misconduct and to impose penalties for violations of federal laws, including those related to health, safety, civil rights, and the environment. ACE cases often involve complex factual and legal issues and may have parallel criminal and civil components. As an AUSA in the Civil Division, you will play a key role in enforcing federal civil laws that safeguard the public interest. You also will manage a diverse and active docket that may include cases involving personal injury, employment discrimination, immigration, prisoner litigation, environmental enforcement, and challenges to government policies or actions. Responsibilities include: Conducting civil investigations and developing cases in coordination with federal agencies. Managing discovery, including written discovery, depositions, and expert witnesses. Engaging in motion practice and oral argument. Negotiating settlements and preparing cases for trial. Trying cases in federal court and handling appeals. Civil Division AUSAs are expected to exercise sound judgment, manage a high-volume caseload efficiently, and work collaboratively as part of a team dedicated to upholding federal law and protecting the interests of the United States. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit checks, 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 Qualifications Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1 year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. Our ideal candidate will have: Incisive analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a wide variety of civil cases; Superior oral and written communication skills and a strong courtroom presence, including first-chair jury trials; A demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility and public service; Impeccable integrity; Outstanding organizational, time management and interpersonal skills; An aptitude for independent legal research and writing, and the ability to prepare correspondence and pleadings with accuracy and minimal supervision The ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff and client agencies; Excellent computer literacy skills and the ability to handle all aspects of electronic discovery and litigation; You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. As needed, additional positions may be filled using 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 $83,742 to $195,100 including locality pay currently at 32.58%. Other Benefits:The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; 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. * This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information. Travel:Occasional travel may be expected for this position, both within and outside the district. Type of Position:All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are required to serve a 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. Upon completion of your probationary period, written certification is a requirement for continued employment. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition. 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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances. Political Appointees (Current and Former):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, or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action, including removal from Federal Service. Security Requirements:Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit checks, tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. EEO Statement:The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
