Special Assistant United States Attorney

Office of the Inspector General, USPS•Newark, NJ

11d

About The Position

This is a term appointment for a Special Assistant United States Attorney detailed full-time to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey in Newark. The initial term is two years, with the possibility of three additional extensions of up to one year each; further extension without competition may be possible. The position reports to the USPS OIG Office of General Counsel and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. The successful candidate is expected to meet the District of New Jersey’s residency requirements when employment begins. The position is open only to current USPS OIG, USPS, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and Postal Regulatory Commission employees. The attorney primarily prosecutes Postal employees in cases involving mail theft, embezzlement, narcotics violations, healthcare fraud, and public corruption, and may prosecute other cases as directed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The role includes conducting grand jury investigations; appearing for hearings, trials, and sentencing in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey; handling appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; and preparing investigative and charging documents such as warrants, complaints, informations, and indictments. The attorney advises federal agents, supports investigations, leads case development and grand jury presentations, and represents the USPS OIG and federal government throughout criminal litigation and appeals. The position is advertised at the Journey/Attorney Band level, equivalent to GS-13 to GS-14. Salary is $125,431 to $192,694, including locality pay. Promotion potential to GS-14 is at management’s discretion. Grade and salary depend on education and professional experience. Duties may vary based on agency needs.

Requirements

At least four years of post-J.D. litigation and/or criminal law experience.
Graduation from an ABA-accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing of the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction.
Excellent writing, research, and advocacy skills.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must pass a drug screening and background investigation.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a government-issued credit card.
Must meet the District of New Jersey residency requirements when employment begins.
Must submit responses to all self-assessment questions and address every evaluation factor in the narrative section; failure to do so or receiving a zero on an evaluation factor makes the applicant ineligible.
Must demonstrate criminal litigation experience; legal writing skills, including preparation of memoranda, motions, court submissions, charging documents, and appellate briefs; effective communication and collaboration; and ability to manage investigations and active litigation while communicating with law enforcement partners and agency management.

Nice To Haves

Experience as an Assistant United States Attorney or Special Assistant United States Attorney.
Knowledge of the U.S. Postal Service and experience with Postal Service matters.
Experience prosecuting healthcare fraud, narcotics cases, and/or public corruption.
Top academic credentials.
Experience participating in or leading a team.
A proven record of creative thinking.
Criminal litigation experience as prosecution or defense, preferably involving postal statutes, healthcare fraud, narcotics investigations, and/or public corruption.

Responsibilities

Advise and guide federal agents in developing cases for prosecution.
Conduct legal research and prepare and present investigative documents to the district court, including motions, search warrants, and subpoenas.
Lead investigative teams through investigations, case development, and grand jury presentations.
Prepare prosecution memoranda in compliance with U.S. Attorney’s Office requirements.
Represent the USPS OIG and federal government as prosecuting attorney in assigned cases before judges and hearing officers at all stages of criminal litigation and appeal.
Prosecute Postal employees in cases involving mail theft, embezzlement of funds, narcotics violations, healthcare fraud, and public corruption.
Prosecute other cases as needed or as directed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Participate in grand jury investigations and appear in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey for arraignments, bail hearings, preliminary and pretrial hearings, plea hearings, sentencing hearings, and trials.
Handle appeals in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Prepare and present investigative and charging documents, including warrants, complaints, informations, and indictments.
Work with USPS OIG agents and attorneys, other U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the Department of Justice, and other organizations to stay current on legal developments and best practices and represent USPS OIG interests.

Benefits

Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Long-term care insurance
Flexible spending options
Retirement and Thrift Savings programs
Flexible work schedules
Telework
Employee assistance programs
Eleven paid holidays each year
Thirteen days of paid sick leave each year
Thirteen to twenty-six days of paid vacation each year, depending on years of service