Special Assistant United States Attorney (San Francisco, CA) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. req645 Department U.S. Capitol Police
Salary $163,777.00 to $210,366.00 Grade 12 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/17/2025 Close Date 8/11/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) safeguards the Congress, Members of Congress, employees, visitors, and Congressional buildings and grounds from crime, disruption, and terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional and legislative responsibilities in a safe, secure and open environment.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers

Duties

This position is located within the General Law Division, Office of the General Counsel, United States Capitol Police (USCP) in San Francisco, CA.  The purpose of this position is to serve as a Special Assistant United States Attorney in San Francisco, CA, primarily investigating and prosecuting individuals and/or groups who have engaged in threats and/or acts of violence against Members of Congress, their staffs, USCP employees, visitors to the Capitol complex, and facilities and properties within the Capitol Complex. The incumbent will also prosecute other federal crimes, as needed for training or other purposes, as directed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.  The position reports to the USCP Deputy and General Counsel; however, the position will work under the direct supervision and authority of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Francisco.

Conducts grand jury investigations and represents the United States in federal court in various hearings and trials, including arraignments, preliminary hearings, plea hearings, sentencing hearings, and other matters that require court appearances. Works closely with USCP and other agencies, federal and local law enforcement agents, witnesses, and victims during criminal investigations, trial preparation, and all phases of litigation.

Develops and recommends strategies and coordinates the preparation of litigation for potentially complex federal cases. Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda and briefs on questions of law, persuasive pleadings, search warrants, complaints, and charging instruments.

Provides research, advice, and oral or written legal analysis on a variety of issues and, as directed by the USCP Office of the General Counsel, responds to inquiries for legal research, analysis and advice.

Provides advice, counsel, and training to operational and administrative elements of the USCP, regarding criminal investigations, threat analysis, First and Fourth Amendment issues, and laws of search and seizure.

Serves as liaison with the Executive Branch of Government and other external agencies regarding issues that may impact the overall legal position of the USCP.

Develops effective professional relationships, both formal and informal, with House, Senate, congressional staffs and counsels.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. citizen. Successful completion of a background investigation is required. Must complete a one-year probationary period. Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret clearance. Must include a current writing sample. Must possess a professional Law Degree (J.D., LL.B., or LL.M.).

Qualifications

In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below.

Qualifying experience includes four (4) years of specialized experience following law school graduation relevant to the duties of this position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as experience: (a) performing professional work as a licensed attorney in trial litigation; (b) representing clients as a licensed attorney before federal or state administrative agencies and/or before United States District Courts; (c) conducting and assisting with mediations, negotiation, and/or litigation; and (d) performing extensive independent legal research in order to provide written analysis of legal tasks.

*Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience*

All eligibility requirements must be met by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

(Information on Qualification & Education is located at the following link: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/)

Education

Applicants must possess a professional law degree (J.D., LL.B., or LL.M.) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association, and be an active Bar association member in good standing in a state, territory of the United States, District of Columbia, or Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

Additional information

Additional Conditions of Employment with the USCP: As per the Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) and the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019, criminal history information will only be collected following a qualifications review and after a tentative offer of employment has been made. A criminal history does not automatically exclude an applicant from employment with the USCP. Criminal History Check -- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal history check of the past 10 years if offered employment. A criminal history check will be performed on applicants who accept an offer of employment. Credit Check -- Must successfully pass a credit check. Applicants must not be in default or delinquent on any Federal guaranteed student loans. Applicants must demonstrate a competent financial history. Financial delinquency including collection accounts, liens, repossessions, or garnishments may be a basis for disqualification. Selective Service Registration -- Male applicants must provide verification of registration with the Selective Service System or must verify exemption from the Selective Service System registration because of age or military status. Female applicants are exempt from Selective Service System registration. https://www.sss.gov/verify/ Fingerprint Check -- Applicants' fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a check of their criminal history record. Background Investigation -- Must successfully complete all components of the USCP full field background investigation. There are few automatic grounds for rejection in the USCP background investigation process. Issues of misconduct, such as illegal drug use, arrests, or convictions, may not be automatically disqualifying. However, deliberate misstatements, omissions, or intentionally withholding required information at any phase of the hiring process will result in a candidate's disqualification regardless of the nature or reason for the misstatement or omission. The primary reason candidates fail a background investigation is due to deliberately withholding or omitting material facts. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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

Evaluation Factors: Please address all Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) within the narrative responses so that your experience can be evaluated properly. We will review your resume, assessment questionnaire, and supporting documentation to determine if you meet the minimum requirements for this job. If you meet the minimum requirements for this job, we will evaluate your application materials to assess the quality, depth, and complexity of your qualifications, accomplishments, experience, and education as they relate to the requirements listed in this vacancy announcement. Failure to successfully pass a full field background investigation and all segments of the pre-employment evaluation process will result in disqualification from further consideration under this vacancy announcement.

Required Documents

The following documents are required and must be received by the closing date of this announcement: 1. Your Resume: Resumes should include full description of job duties as well as dates (mm/yy) of employment. 2. Other supporting documents: - Veterans Preference Documentation, if applicable. - College transcript(s), if qualifying based on education, or other documentation to prove possession of the basic requirements for this position. 3. Writing Sample: Please include a sample of your legal writing (ideally between 7 and 25 pages long), along with a certification that the sample reflects substantially your work only.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Navigate to the following URL to apply to this job: USCP Careers 1. Follow the prompts to upload your resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit Application button to submit your application package. 3. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date. 4. To verify that your application is complete, log into your account and select the job posting for this position. The page will display the status of your application, the documentation received, and any correspondence the Department has sent related to this application. 5. Failure to provide all required documents and information requested by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application not being considered. The complete application package must be submitted by 7:59 PM (ET) on the closing date to receive consideration.

Agency contact information

Address
Office of Human Resources
119 D Street NE
Washington, DC 20510

Next steps

After a review of your application materials is made, you will be notified of your eligibility status. If you are referred to the hiring official, you will receive further notification. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. Please note that if you are not selected for this position, the USCP may not be able to provide specific feedback or disclose the reasons for your disqualification, due to confidentiality and legal considerations related to the hiring process.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.