The United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania (USAO-PAW) is an energetic and collegial office of 131 employees and contractors which prosecutes federal offenses, defends the United States Government’s interests and affirmatively pursues claims on behalf of the government, representing the United States in all criminal prosecution, and civil and appellate litigation in the Western District of Pennsylvania. The Western District of Pennsylvania consists of 25 counties in the western part of the state; with offices in Pittsburgh, Erie and Johnstown. The USAO-PAW strives to provide an inclusive, rewarding work environment for employees of all backgrounds. Additional information about the District can be found on our website at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdpa.
The United States Attorney's Office/Executive Office for United States Attorneys is a great place to work. The Department of Justice ranked #16 out of 17 large agencies and EOUSA/USAO ranked #122 out of 420 agency subcomponents in a study, "The Best Places to Work in the Federal Government, 2021 Ratings" published by the Partnership for Public Service.
Our office places a high value on diversity of experiences and perspectives and encourages applications from all qualified individuals from all ethnic and racial backgrounds, veterans, LGBT individuals, and persons with disabilities.
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.
The United States Attorney’s Office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is seeking an Assistant U.S. Attorney for its Criminal Division. The Assistant U.S. Attorney will have responsibility to investigate and prosecute federal crimes, including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, armed robberies and other crimes of violence, child exploitation, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, corporate fraud, and healthcare fraud. The Assistant U.S. Attorney may also be responsible for targeted outreach to strategic partners and non-case responsibilities throughout the District as part of the effort to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking crimes and partner with community and local resources. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
The Assistant U.S. Attorney will have a substantial portion of cases originating from the Johnstown branch office and should anticipate traveling to Johnstown for investigation, court, and grand jury as needed. The Assistant U.S. Attorney may elect to work from Johnstown at those times and/or as needed.
Applicants must demonstrate personal integrity, good judgment, analytical ability, and excellent organizational, interpersonal, and litigation skills. In addition, applicants must be willing to follow rules and directives, and work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies.
All initial attorney positions are filled on a provisional 14 month basis, pending adjudication of the background investigation.
As needed, additional vacancies may be filled using this announcement.
Flexible Work Options: Flexible work options are available with supervisory approval, including regular telework.
Residency: Assistant United States Attorneys, upon appointment, generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
Security: May require Secret/Top Secret/SCI.
Applicants must have a J.D. degree and at least three years of post-J.D. experience. In addition, applicants must possess superior oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, and be able to function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. The District seeks attorneys who have outstanding legal ability, high moral character, mature judgment, and demonstrated excellence in criminal trials.
Applicants must be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia. Bar membership documents must be submitted to show active status.
Applicants will be required to go through a background investigation, including credit, tax, and drug tests. Initial appointment is conditional based upon a satisfactory pre-employment adjudication, and continued employment past the 14 month provisional period is subject to a favorable adjudication of the background investigation.
You must be a United States Citizen or National.
You must be registered for selective service, if applicable.
You must meet all the above qualifications as of the closing date of this announcement.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess outstanding litigation skills. Experience litigating criminal cases in federal court is desirable. Ideal qualifications include at least three to five years of post-J.D. litigation experience, including experience handling a variety of complex criminal matters, first-chair federal trial experience, strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, and a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.
Applicant must demonstrate a quick analytical ability and the facility to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a case. Applicants must demonstrate superior oral writing skills, as well as strong research and interpersonal skills, and good judgment. Applicants must have a demonstrated capacity to function, with minimal guidance, in a highly demanding environment while balancing a high case load, which often requires night and weekend work. Excellent computer literacy skills are also necessary.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications posted in the vacancy announcement. Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all requirements and qualifications. You will be notified if selected for an interview, and after making a tentative job offer, we will conduct a suitability/Security background investigation for the candidate selected. We expect to make a final job offer within 120 days from the closing date of the announcement. Once a final selection is made, notification will be sent to applicants.
Documents should be addressed to First Assistant United States Attorney, Troy Rivetti.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/16/2022 on USAJobs to receive consideration. Applications will only be accepted through the USAJobs system at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/690322200. Resumes will not be accepted by email, fax, or regular mail.
You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Required: your responses to the Occupational Questionnaire (online at USAJobs).
Required: Your resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment (include day/month/year), AND the Location and Month/Year of your J.D. Degree, AND the Jurisdiction Month/Year of your bar exam.
Required: Proof of active bar membership under the laws of a State, Territory, or the District of Columbia. This could be a copy of a bar card, certificate of good standing, or screenshot of the appropriate bar or disciplinary board website showing active status and dates.
Required (if a federal employee): A recent copy of your SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action), showing title, series, grade and current salary; and a copy of your most recent performance appraisal.
Required (if applicable): To receive veterans preference consideration, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire, and you must submit the appropriate complete supporting documentation (DD-214, Veterans Administration Letter, etc) as outlined in the veterans preference section. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.
Optional - Cover letter. Documents should be addressed to the FAUSA as outlined above.
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.