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Posted: January 28, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$82,459 - $197,100

per year

Type

Closes

February 10, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves prosecuting federal criminal cases in South Carolina, such as financial fraud, human trafficking, violent crimes, and drug trafficking, while working closely with law enforcement agencies.

Successful candidates are experienced lawyers who thrive in a team environment, handle complex investigations from start to finish, and represent the government effectively in court.

It's ideal for attorneys with a strong sense of justice, excellent organizational skills, and a passion for tackling serious crimes.

Key Requirements

  • J.D. degree from an accredited law school
  • Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction
  • At least 3 years of post-J.D. legal or relevant experience
  • United States citizenship
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Criminal trial experience (federal or state) or equivalent civil trial experience
  • Ability to manage all phases of criminal cases independently, including investigations and litigation

Full Job Description

The District of South Carolina is seeking applications from experienced attorneys for three Assistant United States Attorney positions.

These positions are in our Criminal Division, located in either our Columbia, Greenville, or Florence Office. 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 year 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: Preferred candidates will have a strong academic background and excellent research and writing skills.

In addition, preferred candidates will possess a strong work ethic, exhibit good organizational skills, exercise fair and sound judgment, be attentive to facts and details, work well both independently and on a team, have leadership skills, be ready and willing to volunteer to assist other AUSAs, possess excellent negotiation skills, and effectively represent the Government's interests at hearings and trials before the United States District Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Preferred candidates will also have criminal trial experience (federal or state) or commensurate civil trial experience.

Particular knowledge, skills, or training involving civil rights, accounting, banking, tax compliance, or financial investigations is not required but also preferred.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

The Criminal Division of the United States Attorney's Office in South Carolina provides a fulfilling and supportive work environment.

The Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) enjoy genuine camaraderie with their colleagues while pursuing rewarding careers, both professionally and personally.

The Criminal Division is comprised of three Sections - the White Collar, Human Trafficking, and Child Exploitation Section; the Major Crimes Section; and the Narcotics and Organized Crimes Section.

In the office's White Collar, Human Trafficking, and Child Exploitation Section, prosecutors handle a wide variety of cases, including financial fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption, human trafficking, and child exploitation investigations and prosecutions.

In the Major Crimes Section, prosectors handle a variety of matters including violent crime and firearms offenses, as well as immigration offenses.

In the Narcotics and Organized Crime Section, prosecutors handle investigations and prosecutions of criminal organizations, including gang prosecutions and narcotics trafficking.

Prosecutors in this Section also focus on cases from the Homeland Security Task Force, a multi-agency effort led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FBI, and HSI to combat transnational criminal organizations.

In prosecuting federal crimes, AUSAs work with a broad range of federal agencies, including; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; United States Secret Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; the Drug Enforcement Agency; Homeland Security Investigations; Internal Revenue Service; Postal Inspection Service; Defense Criminal Investigative Service; Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and others.

Due to the range and complexity of the work, Criminal AUSAs are expected to demonstrate initiative and ability sufficient to independently manage all phases of a criminal case, from investigation to post-conviction litigation.

Our AUSAs are required to possess interpersonal skills conducive to working with a variety of federal and state law enforcement agents, defense attorneys, judges, and court staff; oral and written communication skills for presenting cases to the grand jury, representing the government in court hearings, trying cases, writing trial and appellate briefs; and superior character and judgment in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion and the discharge of their duties.

This posting will be used to fill immediate and future Criminal AUSA vacancies in both the White Collar and General Crimes Section and the Narcotics and Violent Crime Section in multiple 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.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/28/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/29/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-SC-12871088-AUSA