Special Assistant United States Attorney Sausa - Compensated
Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) - Compensated USAO District of New Mexico City of Las Cruces (Dona Ana County) Attorney Las Cruces , NM 88001 United States About the Office: The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico has approximately 165 employees and contractors. The main office is located in Albuquerque. The branch office in Las Cruces is located approximately 225 miles south of Albuquerque, is 50 miles from the Mexican border, and includes approximately 45 of the district employees and contractors. The District also has an unstaffed office in Santa Fe. Location : Las Cruces, New Mexico The State of New Mexico, also known as the Land of Enchantment, is a unique mix of Native cultures, blended with Hispanic and European traditions. Ranked the 5 th largest state, it totals 121,593 square miles. New Mexico shares 180 miles of international border with the Country of Mexico. Las Cruces, the second largest city in New Mexico, is nestled in the fertile Mesilla Valley between the majestic Organ Mountains and the meandering Rio Grande and is 50 miles north of the border with Mexico. Las Cruces blends a unique variety of attractions, culture, historical sites, and superb year-round weather with 350 days of sunshine per year. Job Description: The United States Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico has a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) vacancy to be filled in the branch office in Las Cruces. The attorney selected will be assigned a variety of narcotics and narcotics-related criminal investigations and prosecutions under the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative. This is a non-federal position and the employer is the City of Las Cruces. The terms, conditions and salary of this position will be administered by the City of Las Cruces. The selectee will be cross-designated as a SAUSA. This position does not confer status as a federal employee. Note: Employees of the Department of Justice, including Special Assistant United States Attorneys, may not engage in the compensated practice of law outside the office. Attorneys are not eligible to serve as 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 appointment as a SAUSA 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 Special Assistant United States Attorneys. Nature of Work : Fulltime, contract position designed to support the national drug control strategy. The primary goal of the New Mexico High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) strategy is to identify, target, disrupt, and dismantle major drug organizations through a cooperative multi-agency process. The attorney will help task forces develop cases which will significantly impact domestic and international drug organizations operating in the New Mexico HIDTA region, and will prosecute those cases in Federal Court. Work is performed in a standard office environment. Light physical demands; mostly deskwork. Frequent to constant use of a personal computer. Duty station will be in the United States Attorneys Office in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and occasional travel within and outside New Mexico. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and the City of Las Cruces policies. Duties and Responsibilities : Directs and conducts investigations, working with agents and other witnesses. Considers novel legal theories and investigative techniques, using viable investigative tools. Makes charging decisions and proposes dispositions. Considers potential basis for criminal liability and civil and criminal asset forfeiture; considers applicable statutes. When requested, clearly and concisely documents or explains foundation for charges and basis for pleas. Works with agents and other witnesses to prepare for trials and other significant court proceedings, while considering novel legal theories. Handles investigations, charging decisions, plea negotiations, trials, sentencings, and appeals. Identifies and addresses significant issues. Communicates pertinent information to and consults with agencies, victims, and others. Researches and applies constitutional, statutory, regulatory, and other sources of authority and applies law to facts to craft persuasive arguments. Responds to dense correspondence and motions. Writes pleadings and other legal documentation based on case requirements. Prepares for and presents oral advocacy for cases for hearings, opening statements, direct- and cross-examinations, summations, rebuttals, sentencings, and appeals. Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications : Juris Doctor Degree AND one year experience as a law clerk or practicing attorney. A combination of education, experience and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Applicant must be a United States Citizen or national. Initial employment in conditioned upon a satisfactory pre-employment background adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulation and City of Las Cruces policies. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. If applicant is a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, he must certify that he has registered with the Selective Service System, or is exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Licenses/Certification(s) Applicants must be an active member of a state bar association and licensed to practice law in at least one state. Must be in good standing with the applicable bar association and be eligible to be licensed to practice law in the Federal District Court in the District of New Mexico and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Valid drivers license may be required or preferred. If applicable, position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Salary: The annual salary for this position is $55,000 - $84,000, depending on experience and funding availability. Salary and benefits will be administered by the City of Las Cruces. Travel: Moderate travel is required. Application Process: Applications must be obtained and filed online at: http://www.las-cruces.org The deadline to apply is 11:59 PM on Wednesday, May 30, 2018. It is policy of the City of Las Cruces to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. If you need assistance or accommodation to interview and/or test because of a disability, please contact the Human Resources Department at 575-528-3100 / Voice or 575-528-3169/TTY. Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 30, 2018 Relocation Expenses: Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. Number of Positions: 1 Updated May 16, 2018 * * *