Assistant United States Trustee

Clarification from the agency

This is a public notice flyer. Applications will not be accepted through USA Jobs. If you are interested in applying, please see the official announcement on the DOJs Legal Careers page.

About the Office

The United States Trustee Program (USTP or Program) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders, including debtors, creditors, and the public. The Program operates nationwide through twenty-one (21) regions comprised of 82 field office locations and exercises broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authority in bankruptcy cases. Its responsibilities extend across chapter 7 and 13 consumer matters, chapter 12 family farmer cases, small business reorganizations, and complex chapter 11 corporate restructurings.

As the only participant in the bankruptcy process with a national footprint and independent oversight mandate, the USTP is uniquely positioned to identify and address multijurisdictional misconduct and other issues of national significance that threaten the integrity of the bankruptcy system. At the same time, the Program remains equipped to respond effectively to local matters involving fraud, abuse, or other practices undermining the fair and efficient administration of bankruptcy cases.

Job Description

The USTP is seeking experienced attorney applicants for the position of Assistant United States Trustee to lead and manage the field offices that oversees bankruptcy cases filed in their respective districts..

The typical duties of an Assistant United States Trustee include:

• Manage and oversee the administration of the field office, including all bankruptcy cases filed in the judicial district served by the office;
• Advise and partner with the Executive Office and the United States Trustee on policy questions, legal issues of national importance arising in cases, and other significant matters to enhance the Program's mission locally, and help develop and implement policies and strategies designed to faithfully execute a uniform application of bankruptcy law;
• Supervise and manage a staff of Trial Attorneys, Auditors, Paralegals Specialists, and support staff, including assigning and monitoring work at the office and regional level in accordance with principles of shared staffing and functional consolidation;
• Oversee and assist in difficult, complex, or precedent-setting bankruptcy cases. Assist in developing and implementing civil enforcement and litigation strategies to address fraud and abuse identified in bankruptcy cases;
• Carry a caseload of civil enforcement, chapter 11, and trustee oversight matters;
• Participate or provide oversight in all appellate matters before the Bankruptcy Court Appellate Panel (if applicable), the United States District Court, and the United States Courts of Appeal;
• Appoint and supervise all private trustees who administer bankruptcy cases filed under chapter 7, 13, and 12 of the Bankruptcy Code;
• Provide outreach to other interested constituents and those involved in the bankruptcy systems such as the bankruptcy court, the bar, other federal and state agencies, including public speaking and conducting training, as appropriate;
• Work with the Program's federal and state law enforcement partners to report criminal activity identified through bankruptcy case oversight; and,
• Work on other national projects and priorities as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check which includes a drug screening.
• You may be required to complete a one-year probationary period. See “Additional Information” section for further details.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born on, or after, December 31st 1959. Those not registered should have an approved exemption on file.
• Financial Disclosure: If selected, you may be required to disclose financial information in accordance with DOJ and Federal ethics guidelines.

Qualifications

Required

Applicants must demonstrate excellent academic and professional credentials; superior oral and written communication skills; good judgment; and the ability to function with minimal guidance in a demanding legal environment. Further, an applicant must have a J.D. degree (or equivalent) from an accredited law school; and have at least ?ve (5) years post-J.D. professional legal or other relevant experience advocating on behalf of clients, interpreting, or applying provisions of the United States Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and related laws, rules, and regulations that arise in bankruptcy cases.Applicants must be an active member of a state bar in good standing (any U.S. jurisdiction). Please note, in select few jurisdictions, federal attorneys are required to be active members of the jurisdiction's state bar.

Preferred

• Three (3) or more years' experience in management and personnel supervision;
• A minimum of five (5) years of chapter 11 experience;
• A demonstrated record of analyzing complex legal problems, interpreting statutory provisions, developing litigation strategies, and superior trial practice skills;
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to address a broad array of issues arising in a large volume of cases;
• The ability to accurately and precisely articulate the critical issues in a wide variety of cases and projects;
• The ability to set, manage, and balance diverse, evolving, and challenging projects and priorities;
• Demonstrated initiative and creativity;
• Strong information technology skills, including using data bases and IT systems to manage work;
• Outstanding presentation and public speaking skills;
• Experience working with or for federal agencies; and,
• A commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Optional Narrative Statements:The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate your commitment to public service to hiring managers and agency leadership. Although responses are optional and will not be scored, applicants are encouraged to address each question thoughtfully. Please limit each response to 200 words or fewer. At the beginning of your submission, please certify that the responses are your own work and that you did not use aconsultant or any artificial intelligence (AI) tool, including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT or Copilot.

1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience.
2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes.
3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you and explain how you would help implement them if hired.
4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific examples and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.

Evaluation Process:A panel of subject matter experts will review applications to assess how well each candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Qualified candidates will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview. Interviews will be scored by a selecting committee, and candidates in the best qualified category will receive further consideration.

Required Application Documents:

• Cover Letter: A cover letter explaining interest in the position and demonstrating how all qualifications are met.
• Resume: Your two-page resume showing relevant experience should include your name and contact information in addition to the following for proper determination to be made: where you worked, job title, series and grade, if applicable, duties and accomplishments for each position, employer's name and address, supervisor's name and phone number, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr), hours per week and salary. Resumes exceeding two pages will be disqualified.
• Writing Sample: A short writing sample, or an excerpt from a longer sample (under ten pages), that is exclusively or primarily the applicant's own work and includes legal analysis.
• Transcripts: If this position has a positive education requirement or you are using your education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your unofficial transcripts. The unofficial transcripts must include the following information: name of accredited institution, grades earned, quarter or semester hours earned, and date degree conferred. If selected for this position, you will be required to provide an official certified copy of your transcripts before a start date will be established.
• SF-50(s): Current or former federal employees must submit their most recent, non award SF 50. The SF 50 must include the full position title, series, grade and step, organization, duty location, service computation date, effective date, and the employee's service type and tenure.
• Performance Appraisal: Current Federal employees must submit a copy of their most recent completed annual performance appraisal.
• Veterans' Preference Documentation: If claiming preference, you must submit a copy of your DD Form-214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty", showing the dates of active-duty service, type of discharge and the character of service.

Next steps