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Trial Attorney

U.S. Postal Service
United States Postal Inspection Service

Summary

The successful candidate serves as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney while litigating mail theft and other complex cases as designated by the Chief Postal Inspector or designee for an assigned division/ geographic region of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
11/28/2025 to 12/28/2025
Salary
$129,280 to - $196,180 per year
Pay scale & grade
UA 1
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Houston, TX
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Top Secret
Drug test
Yes
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
DE-12839549-26-LO
Control number
851139100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or National. Current career Postal Service or Postal Inspection Service employees are ineligible to apply to this posting.

Duties

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  1. Represents the United States Postal Service in the prosecution of federal crimes.
  2. Develops and recommends strategies and coordinates the preparation of litigation for mail theft, mail fraud, narcotics violations and other complex cases.
  3. Performs all aspects of criminal discovery, motions practice, trials and appeals.
  4. Meets with defense attorneys in advance of trial to conduct pre-trial conferences and negotiations.
  5. Works closely with postal inspectors and other law enforcement agents, witnesses and victims during criminal investigations, trial preparation and all phases of litigation.
  6. Conducts legal research. Prepares memoranda and briefs on questions of law. Prepares pleadings.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
  • Must possess a J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.
  • Must be an active member of the bar in good standing with any State Bar.
  • Must have a minimum of 3 years' work experience in legal practice, of which one year may be met through the completion of a judicial clerkship.
  • Must be a determined suitable for federal employment.
  • You will be required to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
  • Qualified applicants must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening to meet the U.S. Postal Service's requirement to be drug free.

Qualifications

  1. Ability to conduct legal research to gather and interpret information and ensure accuracy of details, using resources such as internal and external documents, archives, electronic databases, and interviews.
  2. Ability to provide legal advice and services and to formulate opinions involving the analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and local laws.
  3. Ability to litigate cases before federal courts.
  4. Ability to communicate orally and in writing, including the ability to negotiate with third parties on behalf of clients and to prepare legal documents and presentations.
  5. Ability to obtain and maintain status as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.
  6. SPECIAL CONDITION: Qualified applicants must be a licensed, active member of the bar in good standing in any state.
  7. EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT: At least three years of experience in legal practice, of which one year may be met through the completion of a judicial clerkship. The clerkship must be documented in the applicant's résumé.
  8. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Applicant must submit to a Tier 5 Single-Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and a Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) if required. This investigation requires, among other things, completion of a questionnaire and fingerprinting for a criminal records check. The investigation may require a drug test. The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Top Secret or Top Secret/SCI clearance while holding this position.
  9. EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

Qualified applicant must successfully pass a drug screening.


Education

Applicants must have a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

Additional information

DUTY LOCATION:
The United States Attorney's Office
Southern District of Texas
1000 Louisiana Street
Houston, TX 77002

SPECIAL NOTE: Current career USPS and USPIS employees are ineligible to apply for this posting.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

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

We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.

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