Assistant United States Attorney

USAO District of Puerto Rico
Attorney
350 Chardón Street, Torre Chardón Suite 1201
San Juan, PR 00918
United States
16-PR-1732800-AUSA-02
About the Office: 

The United States Attorney's Office (USAO) for the District of Puerto Rico has jurisdiction and responsibility in a broad range of areas, all of which involve representing the legal interests of the Federal government in the United States District Courts. The office employs over 100 persons, including Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), paralegals, legal assistants, and administrative support staff. We are currently seeking to hire experienced attorneys who will be assigned to the Criminal Division, located in San Juan, PR.

The Criminal Division prosecutes a wide range of federal cases involving organized crime, terrorism, complex securities and fraud cases, narcotics, health care fraud, public corruption, and violent crimes.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Job Description: 

AUSAs have the opportunity to represent the interests of the United States of America in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and, in performing this important public service, to exercise responsibility that is unparalleled in any other job that a litigator might undertake. AUSAs immediately undertake numerous cases, many high profile, in any of several units within each division.

Employment with the USAO offers a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney: an opportunity to work on some of the most significant, complex, and visible cases being litigated today. You will be part of a dedicated team helping to enforce Federal criminal and civil laws that protect life, liberty, and property of citizens.

All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14 month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation.

Qualifications: 

Required Qualifications. Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one (1) year post-J.D legal experience which includes significant trial experience, preferably in Federal Court. United States citizenship is required.

The ideal candidate will possess superior oral and written communication skills in the English language, as well as strong character and interpersonal skills; have demonstrated the capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment. The USAO seeks highly qualified applicants with extensive litigation experience, strong writing skills, excellent credentials, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. All AUSAs are given training by the U.S. Department of Justice and internally by the USAO Training Program.

Preferred qualifications: Candidates must be able to read, write, and speak English. Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish is highly preferred.

A brief type-written explanation of your reasons for applying for this position is required (2 paragraphs).

Candidates must be computer literate.

Salary: 
AUSAs pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $45,932 to $121,569 plus 14.16% locality pay plus 4.2% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA).
Travel: 
The AUSA will be required to travel throughout the District of Puerto Rico to attend court proceedings, interview witnesses, take depositions, and attend meetings. Travel is also required for training at the Department of Justice's National Advocacy Cente
Application Process: 

Applications must be submitted online through the following link: https//www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/442340500. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 1st, 2016. If unable to apply online, the announcement provides instructions on faxing your documents in the “How to Apply tab.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

Application Deadline: 
Friday, July 1, 2016
Relocation Expenses: 
Relocation expenses will not be authorized.
Number of Positions: 
2
Updated June 21, 2016

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Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor.  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. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  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.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Suitability and Citizenship:  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. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is 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. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans:  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 must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

USAO Residency Requirement:  Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.  See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.