Assistant U. S. Attorney Positions

About the Office:

The Southern District of California (SDCA) is one of the largest U.S. Attorney's offices in the country, encompassing San Diego and Imperial Counties. The office has one of the largest caseloads as well and includes a branch office located in Imperial, California. It is an office embracing the Department’s priorities under Operation Take Back America. This includes securing the border, prosecuting cartel leaders, and removing dangerous offenders from our communities. This office also prioritizes AUSA interested in trying cases. The culture of ethical, empowered, and entrepreneurial trial attorneys is central to the office’s mission. 

This is an exciting office for AUSAs to prosecute federal crimes in our Criminal Division or defend the interests of the United States Government in our Civil Division.  AUSAs receive extensive courtroom and trial experience.  See the San Diego U.S. Attorney's website www.justice.gov/usao-sdca for a detailed description of each Division.  The USAO can only accept applications in response to a posted AUSA vacancy. The USAO seeks highly qualified applicants with extensive litigation experience, strong writing skills and excellent credentials. Exceptional lawyers who are active members of a state bar will be considered.  

Application Process:

Vacancy announcements will be posted on USAJobs: www.usajobs.gov, the Office and Attorney Recruitment: www.justice.gov/careers/legal/, and through this website.

All applicants will be directed to apply on-line through the USAJobs website. Our office requires that all applicants submit the following materials as part of their application: Cover letter, resumé, writing sample and the completed SDCA application form. A copy of the SDCA application form is available on this website.

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact Nitza Williamson at (619) 546-9273 or via email: Nitza.Williamson@usdoj.gov.

Applications materials must be submitted by the deadline listed on the vacancy announcement (EST). Please include the vacancy announcement number in your cover letter when submitting your application materials.

Current AUSA Positions:

Current Vacancy Open Period: 3/21/2025 – 5/12/2025

Job Announcement Number: 25-SDCA-12708117-AUSA03 (CRIMINAL)

USAJOBS URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/834033800

Job Announcement Number: 25-SDCA-12715325-AUSA04 (IMPERIAL)

USAJOBS URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/834034300

Job Announcement Number: 25-SDCA-12715541-AUSA05 (CIVIL)

USAJOBS URL: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/834035200

General AUSA Applications:

Department Policies:

Assistant U.S. Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed. See 28 U.S.C. §545 for district-specific information.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys’ Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. Citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. Citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Department of Justice considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions.

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.

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