Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys•Harrisburg, PA

About The Position

The Civil Chief is a Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney who leads the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Reporting to the United States Attorney and First Assistant United States Attorney, the Civil Chief manages, supervises, and sets the strategic direction for the Division’s affirmative and defensive civil litigation on behalf of the United States. The Division represents the United States, federal agencies, officers, and employees in civil matters in federal district court, bankruptcy court, and on appeal. The Civil Chief oversees a broad practice that includes defensive litigation, affirmative civil enforcement, bankruptcy proceedings, financial litigation and debt collection, and social security matters. The role includes personally handling complex or significant matters, coordinating with federal agencies and Department of Justice components, and setting office priorities and policies consistent with DOJ guidance. Travel is required, primarily within the Middle District of Pennsylvania, with occasional travel to other districts and to the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. Assistant U.S. Attorneys generally must reside in the district or within 25 miles of it. All Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney appointments are temporary and at-will. The appointment may be extended or made permanent as an Assistant United States Attorney without further advertising.

Requirements

J.D. degree.
Active membership in the bar of any U.S. jurisdiction.
At least three years of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
U.S. citizenship.
Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.
Satisfactory preemployment adjudication, including fingerprint, credit, and tax checks, and drug testing; continued employment is subject to a favorable background investigation.
Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service or exempt from registration, if applicable.
Meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.

Nice To Haves

Superior academic record.
Strong analytical abilities and judgment.
Excellent oral advocacy and writing skills.
Ability to work supportively and professionally with attorneys, support staff, client agencies, opposing counsel, and court staff.
Superior legal research and writing abilities, including the ability to prepare high-quality, persuasive pleadings.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Capacity to work with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment.

Responsibilities

Lead the Civil Division and manage its affirmative and defensive civil litigation on behalf of the United States.
Supervise and manage Civil Division attorneys, including AUSAs and Special AUSAs, and support staff.
Assign cases and matters, set priorities, monitor case progress and quality, and ensure timely and effective resolution of litigation.
Personally handle a caseload of complex or significant civil matters, including trials, motions practice, and appeals.
Provide leadership, mentoring, performance evaluation, and professional development for attorneys and staff.
Oversee defensive litigation, including Federal Tort Claims Act cases, employment discrimination, Bivens actions, Administrative Procedure Act challenges, immigration-related litigation, FOIA and Privacy Act cases, constitutional challenges, prisoner litigation, and other suits against the United States or federal employees.
Oversee affirmative civil enforcement, including False Claims Act cases, healthcare fraud, procurement and grant fraud, civil rights enforcement, Controlled Substances Act civil violations, and other affirmative recovery actions.
Supervise related functions such as bankruptcy proceedings, financial litigation and debt collection, social security, and, in many districts, asset forfeiture or civil monetary penalties.
Coordinate with client federal agencies, Department of Justice Civil Division components, Inspectors General, and other U.S. Attorney’s Offices.
Develop and implement office priorities and policies for civil litigation consistent with Department of Justice guidance.
Review settlement recommendations within delegated authority.
Represent the Division in internal leadership meetings and external interactions with courts, the bar, and agency partners.