Department of Justice

Uncompensated Special Assistant US Attorney

Alexandria, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Full time

Uncompensated Special Assistant US Attorney

Department: Department of Justice

Location(s): Alexandria, Virginia, Newport News, Virginia, Norfolk, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

Salary Range: $0 - $0 Without Compensation

Job Summary: The Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Major Duties:

  • The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has openings for a one-year uncompensated Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) position. The position may be extended. The anticipated start date is on and/or after May 1, 2026, although an earlier or later start date may be accommodated. SAUSAs will work in one of the four office locations within the Criminal or Civil Division that includes the office's General Crimes Unit, prosecuting a variety of felony and misdemeanor matters, including opportunities to prosecute violent crimes, narcotics, child exploitation, immigration, and fraud cases. SAUSAs will routinely appear before federal magistrate and district court judges, and the grand jury. They will gain substantive experience through handling all stages of the prosecution from initial appearance through trial and sentencing. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. Salary Information: None - This is a uncompensated position. Employee benefits for this position will be limited. Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized. Travel: Occasional . 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. Note: Employees of the Department of Justice, including Uncompensated Special Assistant United States Attorneys, may not engage in the compensated practice of law outside the office. Attorneys are not eligible to serve as Uncompensated Special Assistant United States Attorneys if they have had an employment offer deferred by a law firm and received a payment for the period of their deferral with the expectation of future employment with the law firm, or if they will receive any payment from a law firm during their unpaid employment with the Department of Justice. In addition, contractors, including employees of contractors who do business with the Department of Justice, and who also are attorneys, are not eligible to serve as Uncompensated Special Assistant United States Attorneys. 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 and be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) Preferred Qualifications: At least 1* year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience is preferred. United States citizenship is required. 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 below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 03/30/2026 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 Eastern District of Virginia at or email at USAVAE.VacancyApplications@usdoj.gov, prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.

Application Deadline: 2026-03-30