Summary Our mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States, provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to administer and enforce the Nation's laws to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. We strive to maintain the high standards of the office by promoting professional development. We seek to build a legacy of excellence. https://www.justice.gov/usao-mt Responsibilities 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. The office seeks to hire three Assistant U.S. Attorneys who will be assigned to the Criminal Division in the Billings branch office. Depending upon the qualifications of the successful candidates, the casework for the positions will vary and may cover a wide range of matters. Two of the positions will focus on investigating and prosecuting drug trafficking; crimes related to immigration matters such as gang-related crimes involving aliens, child trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, unlawful voting, firearms trafficking and smuggling involving aliens, and fraud committed by aliens; and similar areas of responsibility as determined by the needs of the district. One of the positions will primarily focus on investigating and prosecuting illegal firearms possession, child exploitation, civil rights crimes, violent crimes including crimes committed in Indian Country, SORNA violations, cyberstalking, and other areas of responsibility as determined by the needs of the district. 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; (e) handle additional point of contact assignments based on the office's needs; and (f) handle ancillary coordinator assignments within the office as assigned. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Some travel may be required. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. 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 (or equivalent) and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) by their entry on duty date. Law school graduates and current law students taking a July 2026 bar examination may be considered, subject to the foregoing requirements. 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 by Enter on Duty (EOD) date. 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. * 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: AUSAs can expect to travel 1 to 5 nights per month. 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. EEO Statement/Policy: 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. More information can be found here: https://www.justice.gov/jmd/media/1425556/dl?inline.
