Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Texas
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 08-WDTX-AUSA-10
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 build a stronger office through recruitment efforts and maintain the high standards of the office by promoting professional development. We seek to build a legacy of excellence.
In all matters, it is our mission to represent the people of the United States in a manner that will instill confidence in the fairness and integrity of our office and the judicial system, and to conduct our work with the highest integrity. We strive to perform our mission in the most efficient and effective manner.
About the Office: The Western District of Texas is a large complex district consisting of 7 offices which include 68 counties and approximately 93,000 square miles. Offices are located in San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Del Rio, Midland, Waco, and Alpine/Pecos. The WDTX is currently accepting applications for an experienced attorney to serve as a criminal prosecutor in the Austin Office.
Responsibilities and Opportunity Offered: The Assistant US Attorney will be responsible for prosecuting violations of federal laws, primarily involving immigration, drugs, and firearms offenses along the Southwest Border. This is a TERM position not to exceed two (2) years. The incumbent may be considered for placement in a permanent Assistant United States Attorney position without further competition during the term of the appointment; however, placement in a permanent position is not guaranteed. The incumbent will be required to sign a statement regarding the conditions of the TERM appointment.
Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree from an accredited law school, be an active member of a state bar or the District of Columbia, have at least 1 year post J.D. experience, and exceptional computer literacy skills to include experience with automated research on the Internet, electronic court filing, and electronic email and word processing systems
Hiring preferences include criminal trial experience, strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required throughout the District.
Salary Information: Assistant US Attorneys’ pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience.
Location: Position is located in Austin, Texas
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Application Process and Deadline Date: Position is open until filled. Interested persons should send a resume with a cover letter that indicates which location(s), your current salary, and your salary requirement if selected. Submit your resume and cover letter to:
John Murphy
First Assistant US Attorney
United States Attorney’s Office
601 NW Loop 410, Suite 600
San Antonio Texas 78216
No phone calls please. Applications received by July 18, 2008 will receive first consideration.
Internet Sites: This and other attorney vacancy announcements can be found at: http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/attvacancies.html
Department Policies: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, color, race, religion, national origin, politics, marital status, disability, age, status as a parent, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or personal favoritism. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the United States Attorneys’ Offices. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, non-U.S. citizens may apply for employment with other organizations, but should be advised that appointments of non-U.S. citizens are extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference are encouraged to include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214 or other substantiating documents) to their submissions.
Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed. See 28 U.S.C. § 545 for district-specific information.