Summary The U.S. Attorney's Office represents the Federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States. This includes all criminal prosecutions for violations of Federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers. For more information about the District of South Carolina, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc This position advertised will be in Columbia, SC. 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 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 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 3 years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. Rule 83.I.04(B)(1) of the Local Civil Rules for the District of South Carolina was amended in 2022 to authorize Department of Justice attorneys to represent the interests of the U.S. in federal court in South Carolina without being a member of the South Carolina Bar. Therefore, applicants may be admitted to the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction. United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Hiring for AUSA positions is highly competitive. Our ideal candidate will have: A demonstrated history of being a self-starter who completes tasks without prompting. A natural curiosity and passion for investigating facts. 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. 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 $82,459 to $197,100 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. Benefits: This is a temporary position which offers limited benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, telework, and holidays. 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: You may be expected to travel for this position. 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): Political Appointees (Current or 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 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. 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.
