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Current Employment Opportunities

 
“Assistant U. S. Attorney” Application Requirements and Hiring Process

Employment Information

Application Requirements

An application for a position with this Office should include a letter of application, resume, legal writing sample and an official law school transcript. The writing sample selected for submission should be the applicant's exclusive work product. If the writing sample was edited, or if there were other contributors, applicants are expected to identify those portions of the writing sample not exclusively their own work product and the extent of editing done by others. Applicants may also submit letters of reference from persons recommending appointment. Applicants interested in being considered for a position with the Civil Division of this Office should so specify in the letter forwarding their application.

Possible Conflicts of Interest

Depending upon the nature of your practice, your application to this Office may create the possibility of a conflict of interest. If you handle any cases -- criminal or civil -- in which this Office represents an adverse interest, it is incumbent upon you immediately to advise your client of the fact that you are seeking employment here and obtain his consent to your continued representation. It may also be necessary for you to advise the court that you have applied for a position here. If you are handling any cases in which a conflict may exist, you will be expected to provide this Office with a written waiver of the potential conflict signed by your client before you will be interviewed. Furthermore, if you are a resident of the Middle District of Louisiana and you are called for jury duty in the U.S. District Court after you have submitted your application for a position here, you must make the fact of your application known during voir dire in any case in which this Office represents a party.

Interviewing Procedures

Interviews are scheduled when actual vacancies occur. Because we receive a very large number of applications, it is impossible to interview all who apply. Our objective, however, is to give full and fair consideration to each applicant and make hiring commitments to the most highly qualified. The first step of the hiring process is an initial review of all applications. Upon the completion of this initial review, a limited number of applicants are scheduled for interviews. The first series of interviews is conducted by two or three senior attorneys. Based upon the recommendations made by the initial panel of interviewers, an interview may be scheduled with the United States Attorney. After the completion of all interviews, final hiring decisions are made following an analysis of writing samples, consideration of letters of recommendation, and a reference check.

Employment Offers

All employment offers are made subject to successful completion of an FBI background investigation, a drug test, and the normal budgetary constraints of the Department of Justice. If an employment offer is made, a prospective Assistant United States Attorney will be advised of a precise starting date, generally within six to eight weeks following the date of the offer.

Background Investigation

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducts an extensive background investigation of each applicant who receives an employment offer. In addition, during the interviewing process, applicants will also be asked questions concerning their background. Any applicant who may be concerned about his or her background is encouraged to discuss the matter with the Executive Assistant US Attorney for Management.

Residency Requirement

Pursuant to the requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 545, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Middle District of Louisiana must reside within the District or within 25 miles thereof.

Salary & Benefits

Assistant United States Attorney positions are in the "Excepted Service," and entering salaries are established by the Department of Justice based upon each applicant's pre-employment qualifications and amount of legal experience. Salaries are not established within the "GS" schedule. Applicants with specific questions concerning entering salaries should contact the First Assistant US Attorney. Questions concerning health insurance, life insurance, and retirement programs may be directed to the Personnel Office within the United States Attorney's Office.

All applications and supporting documentation should be mailed to:

United States Attorney's Office
Attn: First Assistant United States Attorney
777 Florida Street, Suite 208
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Security Forms

Applicants who have tentatively been selected for positions with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana will need to complete a security application package thru the human resources office. This completed security application package must be completed and approved prior to the start of employment.

“Non-Attorney / Support” Position Application Requirements and Hiring Process

Support position vacancies are listed by vacancy announcements through the Office of Personnel Management's web site at www.usajobs.gov. You will need to review the list of vacancy announcements for the District and follow the instructions given. You may apply for most jobs with a resume or any other written format you choose. If applying with a resume, it is critical that you indicate your social security number and statement of U.S. Citizenship or your application will be rejected as incomplete.

Applications and support documents for vacancies in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana must reflect the announcement number and should be mailed to:

U.S. Attorney's Office
Attn: Human Resources
777 Florida Street, Suite 208
Baton Rouge, LA 70801

Security Requirements

Please note that all employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation adjudicated by the Department of Justice. Applicants are also subject to drug testing by urinalysis.

Application Guidelines

The Department of Justice Career Opportunities listing on the USAJOBS web site will provide you with the information your resume must contain. However, some job vacancy announcements will ask for specific information, i.e. submission of knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the position. Be sure to comply with all requirements of the vacancy announcement. Failure to do so will result in an incomplete package and non-consideration.

Training Program

The United States Attorney's Office offers a substantial training program for the support staff. New employees attend a week long Employee Orientation program. This program is followed by a series of substantive training programs in a variety of areas such as policies and procedures of the Office's Divisions, and communications skills and professionalism in interacting with public, including crime victims and witnesses.

Security Forms

Applicants who have tentatively been selected for positions with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana will need to complete a security application package thru the human resources office. This completed security application package must be completed and approved prior to the start of employment.

Security Forms

Applicants who have tentatively been selected for positions with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana will find below a list of security and administrative forms required for employment.

Student Temporary Employment

The Student Educational Employment Program is available to all levels of students: high school, vocational and technical, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, graduate degree and professional degree students.

Job opportunities under this component offer you temporary employment. Employment can last for as long as you are a student. These employment opportunities need not necessarily be related to your academic field of study.

Program Features

Year round employment

Flexible schedule of work assignments

Open to all students...high school, undergraduate, graduate, and vocational/technical.

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible under the Student Educational Employment Program if you are:

• A student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student (diploma, certificate, etc.).
• Taking at least half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school.
• A U.S. citizen or a national (resident of American Samoa or Swains Island).

Security Requirements

Please note that all employment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation adjudicated by the Department of Justice. Applicants are also subject to drug testing by urinalysis.

Applicants interested in applying for any of the above programs should contact the Human Resources representative for the District.

Security Forms

Applicants who have tentatively been selected for positions with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Louisiana need to complete a list of security application package thru the human resources office. This security application package must be completed and approved prior to the start of employment.

The Federal Government is an equal opportunity employer

Updated September 9, 2021