Assistant U.S. Attorney

Hiring Organization
USAO District of South Dakota
Hiring Office
Sioux Falls
Location:
325 S. First Avenue
Suite 300
Sioux Falls, SD 57104 - United States
Application Deadline:
Sunday, August 31, 2025
About the Office
The United States Attorney?s Office, District of South Dakota?s mission is to impartially enforce and uphold the laws of the United States. We are committed to improving public safety, protecting the financial interests of the nation, and ensuring equal justice for all.
The district?s main office is located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with two branch offices located in Pierre and Rapid City. This position is located in Sioux Falls, SD.
More information about the U.S. Attorney?s Office, South Dakota, can be found at: http://www.justice.gov/usao/sd/
Job Description
The U.S. Attorney?s Office for the District of South Dakota is seeking an experienced attorney to fill an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) position in the Criminal Division. AUSAs in the Criminal Division advise federal law enforcement agents on criminal investigations, present criminal cases to the grand jury, prepare and argue a broad range of motions, try criminal cases before the United States District Court, conduct research, and write briefs and present oral arguments to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Candidates should be capable of handling cases involving a variety of violations of federal laws related to firearms, narcotics, white collar fraud, child pornography, and immigration crimes. Candidates should also be capable of handling significant and complex criminal prosecutions involving Major Crimes Act violations in Indian Country such as murder, child sex abuse, rape, and more.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as training and expertise progress.
Qualifications
Applicant must be a United States Citizen or National.
Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprints, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.
Applicant must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of a bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one year of post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience.
Applicant must be a member, or be eligible to become a member, of the federal district court bar.
Note: The U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota requires that all Assistant U.S. Attorneys be admitted to the State Bar of South Dakota within 12 months from the date of an attorney?s oath of office for the position in South Dakota. See Local Rule (Criminal) 44.1(F)(1)(a). Accordingly, if the successful candidate is not a member of the South Dakota Bar, he/she must become a member within one year from entry on duty.
Applicant must reside in the district to which he/she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See U.S.C. ? 545 for district specific information.
Applicant must be capable of traveling on occasion in support of the mission.
Applicants must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
Applicants must demonstrate superior analytical ability; possess strong research, writing and courtroom skills; exercise fair and sound judgment; follow all Department of Justice and United States Attorney?s Office policies; exhibit the ability to work collaboratively in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and law enforcement agencies; demonstrate superior communication skills; handle matters in court persuasively and justly on behalf of the United States of America; be devoted to excellence; and demonstrate a commitment to public service.
Application Process
Please provide a complete application package by the closing date, which includes:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/843035000
Required-Completed online application found via the link above.
Required-Responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire. (This is completed automatically during the online application process.)
Required-Resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment to include the day/month/year of service.
Required-Cover letter.
Required-Writing sample, not to exceed 20 pages.
Required-List of 3 references, including name, title, email and phone number for each.
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 conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.
Salary
Assistant United States Attorneys pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional experience. The range of starting pay, including a 17.06% locality payment, is $73,939 to $193,394.