Launch Your Legal Career: Become an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA)

Are you a high-achieving law school graduate with a passion for justice and public service? The United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas is currently seeking talented, driven individuals to serve as Assistant United States Attorneys (Criminal). This role offers an unparalleled foundation for a career in federal law, placing you at the forefront of the government’s efforts to maintain public safety and uphold the rule of law.

Job Responsibilities

As an AUSA in the Criminal Division, you will not simply observe the legal process—you will lead it. Your duties will evolve as your experience grows, but they will initially focus on:

Assisting federal law enforcement agents in the development of investigative strategies.
Litigating complex criminal cases from the initial filing through trial.
Prosecuting federal offenses, including drug and firearms trafficking, human smuggling, and transnational organized crime.

Requirements & Qualifications

This is an entry-level position specifically designed for recent law school graduates.

Requirement	Description
Citizenship	Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Education	J.D. from an accredited law school.
Rank	Top 1/3 of law school graduating class.
Bar Status	Active member of a U.S. Bar or eligible for Law Clerk status.
Background	Must pass high-risk, special-sensitive security investigation.

Salary and Benefits

Positions in the WDTX provide a competitive compensation package. Salaries are administratively determined based on professional experience. The range for AD-21 to AD-29 positions is $76,748 to $197,100, which includes 17.06% locality pay for Texas-based offices.

Beyond salary, you will enjoy:

Comprehensive health and life insurance.
Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
Accrual of paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays.

Application Tips

To maximize your chances of success:

Respect the Constraints: Your resume must not exceed two pages. This is a hard requirement; any submission exceeding this length will be rejected.
Customize Your Cover Letter: Clearly rank your preference for Alpine, Del Rio, El Paso, or Midland.
Detail Your Experience: Quantify your hours for any part-time work and ensure dates (month, day, year) are included for all employment.
Check Your Status: Regularly log into your USAJOBS account to track your progress and confirm that your documents were uploaded successfully.

Serving as an Assistant United States Attorney is a profound responsibility and an incredible professional achievement. If you are prepared to dedicate your skills to protecting the interests of the United States, we encourage you to apply. The application window is open, and we review applications on a rolling basis—don't wait until the deadline to secure your place in the future of federal law.

Why This Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) Job Matters

Launch your legal career on the front lines of justice with the Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Western District of Texas.

Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) Job Overview

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas is seeking motivated, entry-level legal professionals to join our Criminal Division. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to federal law enforcement in a district covering 93,000 square miles and over 660 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border. You will play a critical role in prosecuting federal crimes, including transnational organized crime, human smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration, while upholding the rule of law and defending the interests of the United States.

Requirements for Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

U.S. citizenship is mandatory.
Must have graduated from an accredited law school within the last 8 months OR be scheduled to graduate by June 1, 2027.
Class rank must be within the top 1/3 of the law school class.
Must be an active member of the bar in any U.S. jurisdiction by the entry-on-duty date, or qualify for the Law Clerk program if awaiting results.
Must pass a pre-employment background investigation, including credit, tax, and fingerprint checks.
Must pass a mandatory drug test.
Must register with the Selective Service System if a male born after December 31, 1959.

Preferred Qualifications for Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal)

Demonstrated excellence in academic performance.
Outstanding research and legal writing capabilities.
Strong courtroom demeanor and litigation potential.
Exceptional analytical reasoning and organizational skills.
Unwavering commitment to professional ethics, civility, and public service.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) participation
✓Comprehensive health insurance options
✓Life insurance coverage
✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays
✓Opportunities for professional development and training
✓Potential for telework eligibility based on role requirements

💡 How to Apply Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Assistant United States Attorney (Criminal) Job

Create or log in to your USAJOBS account.
Prepare a resume that does not exceed two pages.
Draft a cover letter that ranks your preferred office locations and states your law school class rank.
Complete the online occupational questionnaire during the submission process.
Submit all required documents, including proof of veterans' preference if applicable.
Monitor your application status through your USAJOBS portal.

💡 General Tips

Strictly follow the two-page limit for your resume; exceeding this will result in immediate disqualification.
Explicitly rank your preferred duty stations (Alpine, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland) in your cover letter.
Review your application for accuracy before submitting, as incomplete packages will not be considered.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for the hiring process, contact the office early.
Highlight any volunteer or community service experience, as it is viewed favorably by the Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I have not yet passed the bar exam?

You may still be considered for a Law Clerk position. If selected, you will work in the District while awaiting bar results, with the expectation of obtaining active membership in a U.S. bar within 14 months of your entry on duty.

Are relocation expenses covered for this position?

No, the Department of Justice does not authorize relocation expenses for this vacancy.

How is the salary determined?

Pay is administratively determined based on your professional attorney experience, with the stated range for this grade level including locality pay for the designated Texas locations.

Job from Executive Office For U.S. Attorneys And The Office Of The U.S. Attorneys

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the premier federal law enforcement agency, dedicated to protecting civil rights, preventing crime, and ensuring the impartial administration of justice. The Western District of Texas (WDTX) is a unique and high-intensity jurisdiction. Spanning 93,000 square miles and encompassing over 660 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, the office is a critical player in managing challenges related to national security, transnational crime, and public safety.