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Posted: January 20, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Criminal Assistant United States Attorney

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

Department of Justice

Fresh

Salary

$76,478 - $200,743

per year

Type

Closes

February 17, 2026

Job Description

Summary

This job is for an Assistant U.S.

Attorney in the Criminal Division, where you'll investigate and prosecute serious federal crimes like drug trafficking, violent offenses, and cases on Native American reservations in Montana.

It involves working closely with law enforcement, presenting cases in court, and handling appeals with limited oversight.

A good fit would be a licensed lawyer with at least one year of experience who thrives in fast-paced, high-stakes environments and has strong people skills.

Key Requirements

  • J.D. degree from an accredited law school
  • Active membership in a state bar
  • One full year of postgraduate legal experience
  • United States citizenship
  • Superior oral and written communication skills
  • Excellent research, analytical, and advocacy skills
  • Ability to work independently in a demanding environment with strong organizational skills

Full Job Description

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 Required Qualifications: Applicant must possess a J.D. degree and must currently be an active member of a state bar in order to be considered.

One (1) full year of postgraduate legal experience is required. 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. Major Duties:

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 an 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.

The successful candidates will be assigned to the Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula branch offices.

Dependent upon the assigned branch and the qualifications of the successful candidate, the casework for the positions will primarily include the investigation and prosecution of a wide range of matters including drug trafficking, illegal firearm possession, criminal immigration, violent crime, crimes committed in Indian Country, child exploitation, and economic crimes.

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) if assigned to prosecute Indian Country crimes, be a liaison to an assigned reservation.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Some travel may be required.

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: 1/20/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/21/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: 26-MT-12869776-AUSA