U.S. Department
of Justice
Application Requirements
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia hires through vacancy announcements posted on the USAJobs site at www.USAJobs.gov. Please refer to the USAJobs site for open vacancy announcements and submit all required documents online during the USAJobs application process. Please do not send documents directly to the USAO.
When applying on USAJobs, applicants are required to provide the following:
• A resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment
• A cover letter that includes the USAJobs Announcement Number
• Responses to the online Assessment Questionnaire. The Assessment Questionnaire is completed automatically during the “apply online” process, and will take approximately 20 minutes.
• An unofficial or official law school transcript
• Writing sample (such as an appellate brief, substantive brief or memorandum) that reflects the applicant's own work and does not exceed a total of 25 pages
• If applicable, a recent copy of an SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), showing title, series, grade, and current salary; and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
• If seeking Veterans’ Preference, please see the "How You Will Be Evaluated" section on the USAJobs announcement for details regarding appropriate veterans' preference documentation.
You may also submit Letter(s) of Reference (a maximum of three) as part of your Application Package, but you need not do so.
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 experience. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements on the date the USAJobs application package is submitted, and must be willing to agree to a four-year commitment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Litigation experience and a minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred.
POSSIBLE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Depending upon the nature of your practice, your application to this Office may create the possibility of a conflict of interest. If you handle any cases -- criminal or civil -- in which this Office represents an adverse interest, it is incumbent upon you immediately to advise your client of the fact that you are seeking employment here and obtain his consent to your continued representation. It may also be necessary for you to advise the court that you have applied for a position here. If you are handling any cases in which a conflict may exist, you will be expected to provide this Office with a written waiver of the potential conflict signed by your client before you will be interviewed. Furthermore, if you are a resident of the District of Columbia and you are called for jury duty in the Superior Court or U.S. District Court after you have submitted your application for a position here, you must make the fact of your application known during voir dire in any case in which this Office represents a party.
EMPLOYMENT OFFERS
All employment offers are made subject to successful completion of an FBI background investigation, a drug test, and the normal budgetary constraints of the Department of Justice. At the time an employment offer is made, a prospective Assistant United States Attorney will be advised of a precise starting date, generally within eight weeks following the date of the offer.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts an extensive background investigation of each applicant who receives an employment offer. In addition, during the interviewing process, applicants will also be asked questions concerning their background. Any applicant who may be concerned about his or her background is encouraged to discuss the matter with the Executive Assistant US Attorney for Management.
FOUR-YEAR COMMITMENT REQUIREMENT
As a prerequisite to employment, attorneys are asked for a commitment that they will serve with the Office for a period of not less than four years. Assistant United States Attorneys must also agree to provide at least 60 days' notice before resignation.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
Pursuant to the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 545, Assistant United States Attorneys for the District of Columbia generally must reside within the District of Columbia or within 25 miles thereof.
SALARY & BENEFITS
Assistant United States Attorney positions are in the "Excepted Service," and entering salaries are established by the Department of Justice based upon each applicant's pre-employment qualifications and amount of legal experience. Salaries are not established within the "GS" schedule. Questions concerning health insurance, life insurance, salaries, and retirement programs may be directed to the Personnel Office within the United States Attorney's Office.
The Point of Contact for all USAJobs vacancy announcements is Lynita Greene, (202) 252-6631.
SECURITY FORMS
Applicants who have tentatively been selected for positions with the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia will find below a list of security and administrative forms required for employment.