Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Program

Six-Month Detail Positions 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has openings for a six-month detail.  SAUSA classes start the first or second Monday of the month in January, March, May, July, September, and November.  Detailees will handle a wide variety of matters in federal court, including but not limited to immigration, fraud, narcotics trafficking, firearms, violent crimes, and theft cases, and all of the Alexandria Division’s misdemeanors and petty offense cases.  Detailees will routinely appear before federal magistrate and district court judges, and the grand jury.  They will gain substantive experience through handling all stages of the prosecution from initial appearance through trial and sentencing.  The detail will also include opportunities to work on appellate briefs, habeas corpus petitions, motion responses, and supervised release and sentencing position papers.

The SAUSA Unit

EDVA’s SAUSA Unit has utilized and trained detailees from DOJ and other agencies for more than 25 years, and over 500 SAUSAs have graduated from the program.  The unit is managed by two experienced EDVA supervisors who provide primary supervision of day-to-day activities.  Each detailee will be assigned a coach during their detail – a permanent, experienced EDVA AUSA from a unit within the office.  These coaches provide mentorship to their detailees and the pair will often partner together on felony cases and/or trial teams throughout their detail.

The detail will be located at 2100 Jamieson Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22314, near the King Street and Eisenhower Metro Stations (blue and yellow lines).  Living accommodations and parking will not be provided.

Qualifications

Interested applicants must possess a J.D., or equivalent degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of any State, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, and be an active member of the bar in good standing.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens already employed by the U.S. Department of Justice or the U.S. Government and must have obtained approval from their component or agency to apply to the detail.  Prior to starting the detail, selected applicants must have successfully completed a background check.

Salary

This appointment is made on a non-reimbursable basis.  The position and the funding for the salary and benefits will be provided by the SAUSA’s home employer or agency.

Application Process

Please submit one PDF file in accordance with the requirement below:

A resume, no longer than a single page, in a single combined PDF attachment using the filename format LastnameFirstname (e.g., SmithJane.pdf).  A cover letter is optional.

Applications for the detail must be emailed to USAVAE.SAUSA@usdoj.gov.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.