Department of Justice

Assistant United States Attorney - Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE)

Austin, Texas Full time

Assistant United States Attorney - Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE)

Department: Department of Justice

Location(s): Austin, Texas

Salary Range: $78905 - $197100 Per Year

Job Summary: Our mission is to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States, provide Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. We strive to build a stronger office through recruitment efforts and by promoting professional development. We seek to further build on the legacy of excellence built by those who have come before us.

Major Duties:

  • Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) in the Civil Division are responsible for representing the federal government and its agencies and employees in civil litigation pending in the Western District of Texas and in appeals before the Fifth Circuit. The attorney selected for this position will be assigned to the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (ACE) unit. ACE attorneys handle a diverse docket, including (1) investigations and civil cases filed under the False Claims Act (including qui tam complaints), health care fraud investigations, and procurement fraud matters; (2) civil penalty actions, including suits to address drug diversion and other violations of the Controlled Substances Act; and (3) other litigation to enforce the nation's health, safety, and economic welfare laws. The selected attorney will work closely with federal law enforcement agencies and may be required to coordinate with criminal AUSAs and/or state prosecutors. Job duties may include conducting legal research, drafting legal memoranda, preparing and answering written discovery, taking and defending depositions or examinations, overseeing and coordinating investigations, representing the United States in judicial proceedings at both the trial and appellate levels, and conducting public outreach and educational activities. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. 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. Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information. Selective Service: 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.

Qualifications: Required Qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Hiring preferences include strong academics, outstanding organizational skills, superior legal writing and research ability, demonstrated analytical ability, good judgment and courtroom skills, and a commitment to professionalism, ethics, civility, and public service. You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/18/2026 to receive consideration. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.) 3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact Western District of Texas at 2103847273 or email at Christine.Martinez@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-18