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Employment

Attorneys | Support Staff | Students | Law Students

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois employs approximately 70 employees. Positions include Assistant United States Attorneys, paralegal specialists, legal assistants, victim-witness specialists, administrative employees and student employees. Employment for all positions is contingent on proof of U.S. citizenship and the satisfactory completion of a background investigation. The investigation process includes a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use, a fingerprint check and a thorough review of the applicant's background.

The Department of Justice, United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois, is an equal opportunity employer. Well-qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or any other non-merit factors.

Assistant United States Attorney Positions

Vacancy announcements for attorney positions are advertised through the  Office of Personnel Management (USAJobs) and the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Vacancies websites.  Application materials for attorney positions are accepted through the USAJobs website.

Support Staff Positions

Applications for support positions are accepted as vacancies open. All vacancy announcements are advertised through the the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (USAJobs) website. Requirements and experience vary depending on the advertised position, and those requirements will be specified in the vacancy announcement.

Student Positions

This program offers temporary employment opportunities to students who are enrolled at least part-time in an accredited college or university, graduate or professional or technical school. Announcements for these vacancies are posted with local universities and/or technical schools.

Law Student Positions

Each summer, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois offers a limited number of volunteer (uncompensated) internships for first and second-year law students. Summer interns are given opportunities to assist with challenging research and writing projects.  Interns may also be included in meetings, hearings, depositions, and in-court litigation appearances.

 

The USAO currently has partnerships with the following law schools: Saint Louis University and Washington University in St. Louis. Interested students at these schools should coordinate with their career services office for more information regarding on-campus interview opportunities.

 

If you attend a law school other than those listed above and wish to apply for a volunteer summer internship, please address your application to the Internship Hiring Committee and submit it by email to: usails.internships@usdoj.gov.  The application must consist of a cover letter explaining your interest in the office, a resume, and an unofficial law school transcript.  Documents should be submitted in PDF Format, and the subject line of the email should read “Summer Intern Application.” 

In order to receive consideration, applications must be submitted between January 1 and February 1.  Submissions that fall outside this timeframe may not be considered.  Any students selected for interviews will be notified by email in order to schedule a convenient time.

Please note that pursuant to Department of Justice policy, the following eligibility requirements and conditions apply to all internships. 

  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
  • Applicants must have resided in the U.S. for three of the five years immediately prior to applying (unless the period of outside residency was pursuant to military service or federal employment).
  • All students selected for the internship are subject to a background investigation and must be granted a favorable security clearance in order to work in the USAO.
  • During the period of the internship, interns are not permitted to work for any other law firm, legal clinic, or other entity engaged in the practice of law.

 

Updated October 18, 2019