U.S. Department
of Justice
Employment
Employment Opportunities for: Attorneys | Students | Administrative and Support Staff
The United States Attorney for the Northern District of California recruits for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) or uncompensated Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) positions in the San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose offices as vacancies occur. Vacancy announcements for these positions are posted on the Department of Justice's employment webpage and USAJobs.gov.
Interested candidates must have a J.D. Degree, be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a state, territory, or the District of Columbia, and possess excellent academic credentials. Trial experience is a plus. SAUSA candidates must have a minimum of one year of post-J.D. judicial legal or other relevant experience. AUSA candidates must have a minimum of three years of licensed attorney or post-J.D. judicial legal experience.
Salary for AUSA positions is commensurate with experience. Candidates interested in applying for specific attorney vacancies must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample for each posted vacancy announcement for which they would like consideration. Applicants should apply on USAJobs.gov. No telephone inquiries please.
Attorneys who are interested in employment in any other district, or at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., should directly contact the appropriate office.
The Northern District of California also offers student employment opportunities through the Summer Legal Intern program as follows:
Volunteer Legal Intern Program:
The United States Attorney's Office offers volunteer opportunities in Legal Intern positions. The Volunteer Legal Intern program is open to law students during the academic year and during the summer.
Legal Intern positions allow students to gain experience in the Criminal or Civil Divisions, researching issues, writing memoranda of findings, briefs, motions, and by observing federal court proceedings. Applicants must have completed the first semester of his or her first year of law school to be eligible. Please see announcements for specific eligibility requirements.
Applications for Legal Intern positions should be submitted by deadlines indicated on announcement. Individuals interested in Law Clerk positions may find opportunities posted on the following website: https://www.justice.gov/legal-careers/volunteer-legal-internships
Opportunities for Administrative and Support Staff
The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of California accepts applications for employment in non-attorney positions as posted by specific job vacancy announcements or public notices.
Applications for support staff vacancies will only be accepted during the period of the time listed in the posted vacancy announcement. Support staff vacancy announcements will be posted on USAJobs.gov. Interested applicants should read the entire vacancy announcement that is posted to learn about the position and for instructions on how to apply. The application process is completed online and specific instructions are provided in each announcement.
Qualification requirements for support positions vary and will be specified in each vacancy announcement.
Conditions of Employment
Employment for all positions is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation by the Department of Justice. This is a thorough investigation that includes checks with present and former employers, military records and credit bureaus. The investigation also includes verification of tax filings and attendance at institutions of higher learning. Those who are selected are subject to drug testing by urinalysis. United States Citizenship is required. You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable. Residency requirements apply. Please see job announcement for specific information.