Assistant United States Attorney

Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys · Department of Justice

📍 San Diego, California 💰 $87671 – $197100/yr

Quick Facts

Hiring Agency: Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys
Department: Department of Justice
Location: San Diego, California
Salary: $87671 – $197100/yr
Hiring Path: Public
Number of Openings: Many
Security Clearance: Other
Date Posted: 2026-08-31
Application Deadline: 2026-09-09

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Job Summary

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca. This position is located in San Diego, California.

Key Responsibilities

Overview of the United States Attorney's Office - Southern District of California The Southern District of California (SDCA) is one of the largest U.S. Attorney's offices in the country with one of the largest caseloads. This office prosecutes federal crimes and defends the interests of the United States government in civil cases. SDCA encompasses San Diego and Imperial Counties and includes a branch office in Imperial, California.

Duties of Criminal Assistant United States Attorneys The Criminal Division is organized into three sections: General Crimes, Organized Crimes and Special Prosecution. (See the San Diego U.S. Attorney's office website https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/criminal-division for a detailed description of each section). The General Crimes Section is comprised of three units: Intake, Fast Track, and three Trial Teams. Most Criminal AUSAs begin their careers in General Crimes.

General Crimes handles a large volume of reactive cases that arise from policing the 141-mile-long border between California and Mexico, six Ports of Entry, and the roughly 70 miles of coastline stretching from the U.S./Mexico border to the northernmost tip of San Diego County. Such cases commonly include illegal entry and reentry, drug importation and smuggling, and alien smuggling.

Aside from their reactive cases, prosecutors in the section also handle firearms-related matters, drug distribution, child exploitation, fraud, and other prosecutions. General Crimes prosecutors try a large number of cases and conduct proactive investigations using a wide range of investigative tools and pursue matters involving undercover operations and confidential sources.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress 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.

Requirements & Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

Contact

marina.felix@usdoj.gov · (619) 546-9474

Frequently Asked Questions

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys and the Office of the U.S. Attorneys, Department of Justice.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $87671 – $197100/yr.

What security clearance is required?

This position requires a Other security clearance.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.