About the opportunity
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois is accepting applications for Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) positions in its Criminal Division located in Chicago, Illinois. Selected AUSAs represent the U.S. Government in complex federal criminal trials and investigations. Key prosecution areas include violent crimes, firearms offenses, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, public corruption, money laundering, national security, general federal crimes, and complex white-collar fraud (including healthcare, customs, tax, and PPP fraud). Responsibilities and case complexity increase as training and experience progress.
Salary and benefits
- Annual base salary range of $85,796 to $197,100, which includes 30.86% locality pay (determined based on years of legal experience).
- Comprehensive federal retirement benefits under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).
- Paid annual vacation leave, sick leave, and 11 official federal holidays.
- Federal health benefits, dental and vision options, and life insurance coverage.
- Eligible for telework in accordance with Department of Justice policy.
Who can apply?
- United States citizenship is required.
- Must hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Must be an active member of the bar in good standing in any U.S. state, territory, or district.
- Must have a minimum of 2 years of post-J.D. legal experience.
- Must reside in the Northern District of Illinois or within 25 miles thereof (pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 545).
- Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System or document exemption.
- Must pass a pre-employment background investigation, credit check, tax check, and urinalysis drug screening.
- Must meet DOJ security residency requirements (having lived in the U.S. for at least 2 of the past 5 years, subject to federal/military exceptions).
Required documents
- Resume strictly limited to no more than 2 pages (exceeding two pages results in automatic disqualification). Resume must detail position titles, employer names, full dates (MM/DD/YYYY), hours worked per week, and detailed duties.
- Cover letter.
- Law school transcript (official or unofficial).
- Legal writing sample written by the applicant within the last year.
- Three professional letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant's legal skills.
- AUSA Questionnaire and Personal Statement explaining trial attorney motivations and interest in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
- Completed USAJOBS Online Occupational Questionnaire.
- Supporting documentation for Veterans' Preference (e.g., DD-214, SF-15, disability rating letter), if applicable.
- Copy of SF-50 and political appointee statement, if currently or within the past 5 years a political appointee.
When to apply
- Open continuous announcement closing on April 30, 2027, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, or until all positions are filled.
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; early application is strongly encouraged.
How to apply
- Log in or create an account on USAJOBS and submit Item 1 (resume and cover letter) along with the occupational questionnaire.
- Email PDF versions of Item 1 (resume and cover letter) AND Items 2-5 (transcript, writing sample, 3 recommendation letters, and AUSA Questionnaire/Personal Statement) directly to USAILN.hiring@usdoj.gov.
- Ensure Items 2-5 are submitted ONLY via email to USAILN.hiring@usdoj.gov and NOT uploaded to USAJOBS.
- Verify application completeness and track recruitment status through your USAJOBS account profile.
Additional information
- Relocation expenses will not be paid.
- Positions involve occasional travel.
- Veterans' preference is considered as a positive factor in attorney hiring decisions within the Department of Justice.
- Qualified individuals with severe/targeted disabilities may express interest for potential Schedule A direct-hire consideration via DOJ Disability Points of Contact.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Litigators with direct state or federal prosecution experience and a strong background in criminal law.
- Former judicial law clerks or criminal defense attorneys with demonstrated court trial experience and excellent writing skills.
- Practicing attorneys residing in or ready to relocate to the Chicago area who are dedicated to federal public service.
What should you think carefully about?
- Resumes exceeding two pages are strictly disqualified without review.
- Requires a dual submission process: Item 1 through USAJOBS and email, while Items 2-5 must be submitted exclusively by email.
- Relocation costs are entirely self-funded as no relocation assistance is provided.
- District residency rules require living within the Northern District of Illinois or 25 miles of its boundary.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role offers experienced attorneys an opportunity to transition into federal public service and take ownership of complex criminal prosecutions in one of the largest federal judicial districts in the United States. It is well suited for lawyers aiming to build high-stakes courtroom experience, handle federal grand jury investigations, and advance long-term government legal careers.
Our take
U.S. citizen attorneys with active bar membership and at least 2 years of post-J.D. litigation experience seeking criminal prosecution roles in Chicago should apply early. Applicants who cannot satisfy the strict 2-page resume limit, dual-submission process, or local district residency requirement will not be considered.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verifiedSource: USAJOBS
