Assistant United States Attorney (Civil)

SummaryThe United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey is comprised of 166 attorneys located in three offices: Newark, Trenton, and Camden. The USAO has jurisdiction and responsibility over a broad range of subject matter areas, all of which involve advancing the criminal and civil legal interests of the federal government.Positions are located in Newark, Trenton, or Camden.DutiesHelpThe United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey is seeking an experienced attorney to serve in the Civil Division handling primarily defensive cases. The selected AUSA will defend the United States, its agencies and employees in a wide variety of defensive civil matters in federal court, involving immigration, tort, employment discrimination, constitutional, Administrative Procedures Act, and numerous other claims. The selected AUSA will handle all aspects of litigation, including discovery, motion practice, arguments, alternative dispute resolution, pre-trial matters, trials and appeals. The position is primarily dedicated to handling defensive civil litigation in federal court. The selected AUSA may also handle, among other matters, state and municipal court matters, affirmative cases involving the False Claims Act, civil rights enforcement actions, and collection actions. Civil AUSAs must serve as effective and dedicated advocates for the government's interests, timely and efficiently pursue the just resolution of their assigned cases and make sound and legally supportable decisions toward those ends. They must possess the foresight and organizational and legal skills needed to manage a large and diverse caseload that involves lengthy and difficult litigation. They must be able to identify the relevant legal and factual issues in their assigned cases, and to develop and implement effective strategies for all proceedings in those cases, including motions practice, discovery, alternative dispute resolution, trial, and appeal. They must be able to work well with their colleagues, supervisors, support staff, and witnesses. They must have strong legal research skills, be able to produce high quality written work even under short deadlines, and be persuasive oral advocates. Newly-hired civil AUSAs are expected to quickly develop subject matter expertise in all areas in which the Civil Division regularly practices, and to possess or rapidly acquire expert-level knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence.This is an open continuous announcement that is intended to solicit applications in order to fill immediate and future vacancies. Applications will be reviewed and referred as vacancies occur and will only remain active until December 31, 2025. Applicants will be notified when their applications have been reviewed/referred for further consideration. Hiring will occur on a rolling basis.RequirementsHelpConditions of employmentYou must be a United States Citizen or National.Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required.You must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.All initial attorney positions to the Department of Justice are made on a 14-month (temporary) basis.QualificationsRequired Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 2 years post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.United States citizenship is required.Preferred Qualifications:Hiring preferences include strong academic records, outstanding organizational skills, superior written and oral advocacy skills, demonstrated analytical ability, and good judgment, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service.The ideal candidate will have three or more years of post-J.D. experience litigating cases with substantial responsibility for all aspects of discovery and trial.You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.EducationApplicants must possess a J.D. DegreeAdditional informationSalary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $63,163 to $165,209 and $81,474 to $195,100 which includes 28.99% locality pay for Camden NJ or 37.95% locality pay for Newark/Trenton NJ.Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.* * *This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.Travel: Occasional travel may be expected for this position.Type of Position: All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14 month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation.Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.Political Appointees (Current and Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.Expand Hide additional informationBenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

Created: 2025-09-27