Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) - Open Continuous

Summary

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides. On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes. The Civil Division further defends the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia.

Duties

The D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force is the largest collaboration of law enforcement and National Guard in modern history. The task force - which is comprised over 3,100 people from 28 agencies, is well on its way to making D.C. the safest city in America. In less than a year, the Task Force has executed over 12,000 criminal arrests, seized over 1,300 illegal firearms, and cleared over 1,800 criminals arrest warrants. These arrets have produced significant cases for prosecution across D.C. superior and federal court - including homicides, narcotics investigations, weapons offense, and sex offenses. The U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia ("USADC") is committed to ensuring justice in the influx of case produced from the groundbreaking work of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. To that end, the office is seeking Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to be detailed to the Office to help keep D.C. Safe and Beautiful. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, D.C. has recurring openings in its Superior Court Division for Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs). All federal and local government attorneys are eligible. We offer our standard, shortened, and split programs starting in January, April, July, and October. STANDARD DETAIL The first option is our standard detail. The upcoming dates for these details are: July 13, 2026 through February 5, 2027 October 4, 2026 through April 30, 2027 January 11, 2027 through August 6, 2027 The detail begins with the same three-week Basic Training course that our newly hired AUSAs attend. The course is a blend of intense academic classes (e.g., evidence, discovery), trial skills, and hands-on experience, including evidence workshops and mock trials that are critiqued by AUSAs with years of trial experience. At the conclusion of Basic Training, SAUSAs are assigned to either our Misdemeanor Section or our Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Section in the Superior Court Division. While in the Superior Court Division, SAUSAs will handle their own caseloads; draft and argue motions; handle plea negotiations; conduct plea hearings; meet with and prepare victims and witnesses; first-chair bench trials; advocate at sentencings; etc. Most days include court appearances. There is no difference between a regular AUSA and a SAUSA in terms of duties, responsibilities, and training. Because the U.S. Attorney's Office also serves as the local prosecutor for the District of Columbia, we prosecute thousands of cases each year. Our misdemeanor-level caseloads include simple assaults; threats; possession of prohibited weapons; drug possession; assaults on police officers; theft; destruction of property; child abuse; credit card fraud; etc. We do not handle traffic; DUI; or juvenile cases. Second Half of the Standard Detail: During the second half of the standard detail, the SAUSA will be given more advanced litigation opportunities while in their assigned Misdemeanor or DV Section, to include the opportunity to handle a jury trial. SHORTENED DETAIL The second option is a shorter detail in the Superior Court Division. The upcoming dates for the shortened detail are: July 13, 2026 through November 6, 2026 October 4, 2026 through February 5, 2027 January 11, 2027 through April 30, 2027 This program begins the same way as the standard detail with our Basic Training program followed by assignments to either our Misdemeanor Section or our Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Section. While SAUSAs in the shortened detail will receive the same training and handle the same types of cases as the SAUSAs in the standard detail, the more advanced litigation opportunities are not part of this program. SPLIT DETAIL The third option is a split detail. After completing the shortened detail in the Superior Court Division, attorneys with the requisite security clearance are eligible to be considered for a transfer to our Criminal, Civil, Appellate, or Special Proceedings Division for six months . This requires advance agreement between the USAO-DC and the SAUSA's agency, as well as the appropriate USAO-DC Division Chief's approval of the transfer. Finally, the start and end dates for the standard and shortened details are based on the start dates of our Basic Training programs to ensure smooth case transitions with incoming and outgoing AUSAs and SAUSAS. The USAO-DC provides SAUSAs with laptops, iPhones, and a USAO email address upon onboarding. Please encourage any interested applicants to reach out with questions. The potential SAUSA may also come to the Office to "shadow" for a morning. A resume; written supervisory approval; a joint Memorandum of Understanding; and verification of security clearance will be required. This is a non-reimbursable detail; the SAUSA's agency will continue to pay the SAUSA's salary and benefits. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree (or equivalent), be an active member in good standing of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction). Applicants must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Preferred Qualifications: A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred. The ideal candidate will be committed to public service; possess superior communication and advocacy skills; exhibit exceptional research and writing ability; perform thorough legal and factual analysis; demonstrate an ability to work well with a wide variety of people; exercise good judgement; and function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment. United States citizenship is required. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Department of Justice Policies 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. 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. Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u))