AUSA Application Requirements And Hiring Process
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.
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 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.
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. At the time an employment offer is made, a prospective Assistant United States Attorney will be advised of an anticipated 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.
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. Questions concerning health insurance, life insurance, and retirement programs may be directed to the Human Resources Office within the United States Attorney's Office.
If you are interested in applying to the Civil Division, please forward your application to the attention of Daniel Hu, Deputy Chief of the Civil Division. Applications for positions in the Criminal Division are accepted throughout the year.
All applications and supporting documentation should be mailed to:
Abe Martinez
First Assistant United States Attorney
United States Attorney's Office- Southern District of Texas
1000 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
Security Forms
Applicants who have tentatively been selected for positions with the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Texas will find below a list of security and administrative forms required for a background investigation.
AUSA Security & Administration Forms
Other Resources
Office of Personnel Management Web Site