Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys•Albuquerque, NM

16h

About The Position

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is hiring Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys for positions in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. AUSAs prosecute a wide variety of federal crimes, including national security offenses, child exploitation, public corruption, transnational organized crime, and violent crime. Current openings focus on investigating and prosecuting illegal immigration, trafficking in dangerous drugs and human beings, and cases targeting cartels and transnational criminal organizations designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations or Specially Designated Global Terrorists. Assignments grow in responsibility and complexity as training and experience progress. AUSAs work with federal, state, and local law enforcement on criminal investigations and prosecutions in federal court. They advise federal agents on legal and Departmental policy questions, recommend charging decisions and case dispositions, prepare legal pleadings, try cases, pursue related asset forfeiture, and coordinate litigation preparation with legal support staff. Occasional travel may be expected. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals, hold a J.D., be an active member of the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction, and reside in the appointed district or within 25 miles of it. Appointment is conditioned on satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks; continued employment depends on a favorable background investigation. Applicants subject to Selective Service requirements must be registered. Salary is administratively determined in part by years of professional attorney experience. The listed salary range is $77,581–$182,031 for Albuquerque or $76,749–$180,077 for Las Cruces, including locality pay. Relocation expenses are not authorized, though relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized in specified circumstances and subject to funding.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or nationality.
J.D. degree.
Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
Residence in the appointed district or within 25 miles of it.
Satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, tax, and drug checks; continued employment requires a favorable background investigation.
Selective Service registration if applicable.

Nice To Haves

Quick analytical ability and ability to accurately and precisely articulate critical case issues.
Superior oral and writing skills.
Strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment.
Excellent communication and courtroom skills.
Ability to work supportively and professionally with attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.

Responsibilities

Partner with federal, state, and local law enforcement to manage criminal investigations and prosecutions in federal court.
Advise federal agents on questions of law and Departmental policy.
Recommend charging decisions and propose dispositions for assigned cases.
Research and draft legal pleadings and try cases in federal court.
Investigate and pursue asset forfeiture related to prosecutions.
Oversee and coordinate preparation of litigation assignments for legal support staff.
Investigate and prosecute federal crimes, including cases involving illegal immigration, dangerous drug and human trafficking, cartels, and designated terrorist or transnational criminal organizations.