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 (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: If you want to get into court and practice at the highest level, this is the job for you. 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. Our office places a high value on diversity of experience and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. 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 and for 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 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 emotional quotient, 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. * 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.
