Assistant District Attorney (GCC SAUSA)

State of North Carolina

8d•$65,000 - $102,000

About The Position

DO YOUR CAREER JUSTICE! Each and every day, North Carolina's courts help provide safety for our communities, prosperity for our economy, and protection for the rights, liberties, and freedoms that sit at the foundation of our state and federal constitutions. Consider an exciting and rewarding career with us and join the more than 7,000 elected officials and employees who make up our workforce and help us ensure that justice is administrated without favor, denial, or delay. SALARY RANGE: $65,000.00 - $102,000.00 to commensurate with experience and qualifications. The District Attorney’s Office for Prosecutorial District 3 is seeking a highly skilled and motivated attorney to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA). This position offers a rare and unique opportunity to remain a state employee of a North Carolina District Attorney’s Office while prosecuting cases in federal court within the Eastern District of North Carolina. The SAUSA will be based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and will prosecute federal criminal cases arising in Pitt County, working in close coordination with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina and the District Attorneys serving the counties in which cases are handled. This position blends the strengths of state and federal prosecution, providing meaningful public service, complex litigation experience, and the stability and benefits of state employment. The SAUSA will work closely and collaboratively with: Assistant United States Attorneys and leadership within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina District Attorneys and Assistant District Attorneys in the counties where cases are generated Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in assigned investigations This position requires strong communication skills and the ability to navigate dual-sovereign partnerships while maintaining clarity of role and responsibility as a state employee. Employment Status State employee of the District Attorney’s Office for Prosecutorial District 3. Eligible for all applicable State of North Carolina employee benefits Appointed as a Special Assistant United States Attorney pursuant to federal authorization and agreement Serves at the pleasure of the District Attorney, subject to the terms of the SAUSA appointment 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. Why This Position Is Unique This SAUSA position offers a distinctive career opportunity that is rarely available: State employee benefits and stability, including retirement and leave benefits Hands-on federal courtroom experience prosecuting cases in the Eastern District of North Carolina Direct involvement in significant federal investigations impacting communities across North Carolina A collaborative role bridging state and federal prosecutorial efforts The ability to serve the public at both the state and federal level while remaining rooted in North Carolina’s prosecutorial system This position is ideal for a lawyer seeking to expand their professional experience, develop federal litigation expertise, and serve in a role that strengthens partnerships across jurisdictions.

Requirements

Knowledge of: federal, state, common, and constitutional law; judicial procedures and rules of evidence; case, statutory, and common law; NC General Statutes to prosecute criminal cases; judicial and quasi-judicial procedures; legal research methods, techniques, sources, databases, and other research tools; the principles and protocols for the evidentiary gathering of information, documents, financial records, and other data that may be used in trial court processes, protocols, and strategies; the operations of the NC court system; and ethical and professional standards of conduct.
Skill in: interpreting and applying complex criminal laws to information, evidence, and other data; listening techniques used in interviewing witnesses; using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of case facts; researching and identifying precedence in case law; utilizing and evaluating electronic legal research and online systems; negotiating plea agreements; organizing work; setting priorities; meeting critical deadlines; and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
Ability to: analyze facts, laws, rules, regulations, interpretations, and related written documents and apply applicable law to those facts; conduct legal research; plan, develop, and execute an effective litigation strategy to achieve desired results; prepare, organize, and conduct witness examinations; deliver opening statements, closing arguments, and evidentiary objections; express complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear and concise manner; argue clearly, logically, and persuasively; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and other participants in the criminal justice process; recognize and solve problems; produce legal interpretations in a quick and responsive manner for court officials; write reports, motions, briefs, and other legal documents; deal tactfully with sensitive situations; communicate both orally and in writing; and work independently.
Licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina and in good standing at least 1-year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience
Strong trial advocacy, legal writing, and analytical skills

Nice To Haves

Significant experience prosecuting criminal cases, preferably including felony or complex litigation
Ability to manage a caseload independently and exercise sound prosecutorial judgment
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with law enforcement, prosecutors, and court personnel across jurisdictions

Responsibilities

The SAUSA will be responsible for the prosecution of assigned federal criminal cases, focusing on prosecuting drug and violent crimes, from intake through resolution, including:
Reviewing and evaluating criminal investigations for legal sufficiency and charging decisions
Collaborating closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies during investigations
Coordinating case referrals and charging decisions with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Prosecuting federal criminal cases in United States District Court, including:
Grand jury presentations
Motion Practice & Hearings
Trials
Sentencings
Handling all aspects of case preparation, including discovery review, witness preparation, and legal research and writing
Working collaboratively with District Attorneys in the counties from which cases originate to ensure alignment with prosecutorial priorities
Advising law enforcement on investigative strategies, legal standards, and evidentiary issues
Ensuring compliance with all ethical obligations, DOJ policies, and applicable state and federal laws
Participating in trainings, meetings, and coordination efforts required by the SAUSA appointment

Benefits

State employee benefits and stability, including retirement and leave benefits
Hands-on federal courtroom experience prosecuting cases in the Eastern District of North Carolina
Direct involvement in significant federal investigations impacting communities across North Carolina
A collaborative role bridging state and federal prosecutorial efforts
The ability to serve the public at both the state and federal level while remaining rooted in North Carolina’s prosecutorial system
Eligible for all applicable State of North Carolina employee benefits

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