AUSA/USAO hiring Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hello anyone with an offer/position willing to share their hiring timeline? Just curious applicant....

Sure. I had 3 interviews (and something tells me my timelines are highly unusual).

USAO #1
“Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 2 weeks.
1st round of interviews -> rejection: next day.

USAO #2
“Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 5 weeks.
1st round of interviews -> invitation to the 2nd round: within 1 hour after the first round.
Second round scheduled: 2 days after the first one.
2nd round -> offer: the day after the 2nd round.

USAO #3

“Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 4 weeks.
1st round of interviews -> invitation to the 2nd round: within 2 hours after the first round.
Second round scheduled: the next day after the first one.
2nd round -> offer: within 10 minutes of the interview, accepted when directly asked by the USA.

For the offices where you had multiple rounds, could you explain, broadly, how the first rounds and second rounds differed?

[Anonymous User]

Any movement at USAO-DC in the last month?

[Anonymous User]

Hello anyone with an offer/position willing to share their hiring timeline? Just curious applicant....

Sure. I had 3 interviews (and something tells me my timelines are highly unusual).

USAO #1
“Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 2 weeks.
1st round of interviews -> rejection: next day.

USAO #2
“Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 5 weeks.
1st round of interviews -> invitation to the 2nd round: within 1 hour after the first round.
Second round scheduled: 2 days after the first one.
2nd round -> offer: the day after the 2nd round.

USAO #3

“Referred to hiring manager” -> request for the first interview: 4 weeks.
1st round of interviews -> invitation to the 2nd round: within 2 hours after the first round.
Second round scheduled: the next day after the first one.
2nd round -> offer: within 10 minutes of the interview, accepted when directly asked by the USA.

For the offices where you had multiple rounds, could you explain, broadly, how the first rounds and second rounds differed?

Surprisingly, the same experience for both offices despite them being on the opposite sides of the country:

1st round: a panel of 5-6 people who have been working in the office for 15+ years, including the division chief (criminal or civil); run of the mill personality fit questions; a couple of hypotheticals; a couple of questions about my litigation experiences.

2nd round: nakedly political; the US Attorneys in the both offices basically said "the panel really liked you and wants to bring you on board, I am just making sure I am hiring somebody who supports--and wants to advance--the current administration's agenda.

[Anonymous User]

For the offices where you had multiple rounds, could you explain, broadly, how the first rounds and second rounds differed?

Not the person you were asking, but fwiw, it’s pretty standard that you do an initial round, which is a panel interview with various folks in management/line AUSAs (often by video), and then a second round, in person, with the US Attorney. Basically, you can’t get hired without interviewing with the USA, but they will only interview finalists.

In my experience, during the second round, the meeting with the USA is the only proper “interview,” but you would likely meet with other AUSAs as well, just less formally. They will probably ask you questions, but not questions that the office has prepared for all candidates, if that makes sense.

The panel interview is generally going to be your classic interview process, although some offices may give you an assignment of some kind (one office had me prepare answers to hypos, a friend interviewed with an office that made you do a mock opening or close, I can’t remember which).

The USA interview will be highly dependent on the USA’s personality. Chances are good they’ll ask the usual kinds of things, but you kind of can’t really know.

[Anonymous User]

How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86?

[Anonymous User]

How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86?

It's been 1 month since the TJO and they are still investigating something on my end. I was hoping it would be quicker since I am moving from a different federal agency that requires a higher security clearance than the USAO I am joining, but I guess that doesn't matter!

[Anonymous User]

Anyone heard anything from EDVA?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone heard anything from USAO-DC?

[Anonymous User]

How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86?

It's been 1 month since the TJO and they are still investigating something on my end. I was hoping it would be quicker since I am moving from a different federal agency that requires a higher security clearance than the USAO I am joining, but I guess that doesn't matter!

Thank you. I was told 6 to 10 weeks, but I'm browsing Reddit and seeing 6 months for TS (SCI), which is multiples longer. And this is before one gets the Formal Offer with a start date.

Happy to be employed and to continue chilling at my current agency during these slower summer months ....

[Anonymous User]

How long's the preliminary background check take after you submit the SF-86?

It's been 1 month since the TJO and they are still investigating something on my end. I was hoping it would be quicker since I am moving from a different federal agency that requires a higher security clearance than the USAO I am joining, but I guess that doesn't matter!

Thank you. I was told 6 to 10 weeks, but I'm browsing Reddit and seeing 6 months for TS (SCI), which is multiples longer. And this is before one gets the Formal Offer with a start date.

Happy to be employed and to continue chilling at my current agency during these slower summer months ....

Just got the call about being cleared to start. So, it took them approx 4 weeks.

[Anonymous User]

Offer today. Worried about reputational impact from accepting during this admin…thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

Offer today. Worried about reputational impact from accepting during this admin…thoughts?

What reputational impact? All new AUSAs start off doing guns, drugs, and CSAM cases for a couple of years. Depending on your office, you might also do some immigration crimes and human trafficking. Do you expect to start jailing high profile Democrats and making headlines the very first day on the job? Line AUSAs are usually insulated from politics, the newly hired ones especially so.

[Anonymous User]

Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)

[Anonymous User]

Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)

Current AUSA who transferred offices in 2023. The process is pretty much the same - you apply through USAJOBS and compete against any external applicants. However, if you're selected, the office to which you applied will contact your current office to facilitate an employee transfer. I believe the paperwork ultimately goes through EOUSA in Washington. Your background check adjudication will transfer over. I do think an existing DOJ employee has an advantage when competing against external candidates because the background check has already been adjudicated, so there's less risk involved for the hiring office and onboarding can begin sooner.

[Anonymous User]

Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)

Current AUSA who transferred offices in 2023. The process is pretty much the same - you apply through USAJOBS and compete against any external applicants. However, if you're selected, the office to which you applied will contact your current office to facilitate an employee transfer. I believe the paperwork ultimately goes through EOUSA in Washington. Your background check adjudication will transfer over. I do think an existing DOJ employee has an advantage when competing against external candidates because the background check has already been adjudicated, so there's less risk involved for the hiring office and onboarding can begin sooner.

Thanks for the helpful response. Glad to hear that I may have a slight advantage. I know it might vary by office and their idiosyncrasies for hiring, but will it be viewed poorly if I haven’t been an AUSA for a very long amount of time (a few years) when I apply? I didn’t expect a vacancy back home to pop open anytime soon. The only reason I would apply is to be closer to my family. I am really happy with my current office otherwise.

[Anonymous User]

Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)

Current AUSA who transferred offices in 2023. The process is pretty much the same - you apply through USAJOBS and compete against any external applicants. However, if you're selected, the office to which you applied will contact your current office to facilitate an employee transfer. I believe the paperwork ultimately goes through EOUSA in Washington. Your background check adjudication will transfer over. I do think an existing DOJ employee has an advantage when competing against external candidates because the background check has already been adjudicated, so there's less risk involved for the hiring office and onboarding can begin sooner.

Thanks for the helpful response. Glad to hear that I may have a slight advantage. I know it might vary by office and their idiosyncrasies for hiring, but will it be viewed poorly if I haven’t been an AUSA for a very long amount of time (a few years) when I apply? I didn’t expect a vacancy back home to pop open anytime soon. The only reason I would apply is to be closer to my family. I am really happy with my current office otherwise.

I don't think it will be viewed poorly. It sounds like you can articulate a good reason for changing offices. I transferred offices around the three-year mark, and it was also to return to my home district and be closer to family. I think that's viewed pretty favorably, because you won't be a flight risk.

[Anonymous User]

Avoid applying to NDTX. USAO currently a complete mess - high attrition rate.

[Anonymous User]

Avoid applying to NDTX. USAO currently a complete mess - high attrition rate.

What about it is a mess?

[Anonymous User]

Avoid applying to NDTX. USAO currently a complete mess - high attrition rate.

I think this is probably the case in many districts, if mine and the other ones I know are any indication.

[Anonymous User]

Any insight re: 9 openings at EDPA? Seems like a lot, even under the circumstances. And to post a specific high number is odd unless they want a deluge of applicants. In the past that office had an ongoing posting, similar to SDNY.

[Anonymous User]

Any updates on MDFL?

[Anonymous User]

Any insight re: 9 openings at EDPA? Seems like a lot, even under the circumstances. And to post a specific high number is odd unless they want a deluge of applicants. In the past that office had an ongoing posting, similar to SDNY.

I don’t know anything specific to EDPA, but there has been a ton of attrition all over the place. Their web page says they have about 140 attorneys, so 9 is a pretty small percentage. And this may well be their first authorization to hire under this administration.

I’m also not sure that more people are going to apply if they list 9 positions than if they list 1 - presumably anyone who wants to work there is going to apply regardless of the number of positions listed; there aren’t going to be 9x more applicants just b/c they’re hiring 9 people. But also, if they’re posting on USAjobs they probably have to list the number of openings.

[Anonymous User]

Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)

Current AUSA who transferred offices in 2023. The process is pretty much the same - you apply through USAJOBS and compete against any external applicants. However, if you're selected, the office to which you applied will contact your current office to facilitate an employee transfer. I believe the paperwork ultimately goes through EOUSA in Washington. Your background check adjudication will transfer over. I do think an existing DOJ employee has an advantage when competing against external candidates because the background check has already been adjudicated, so there's less risk involved for the hiring office and onboarding can begin sooner.

Thanks for the helpful response. Glad to hear that I may have a slight advantage. I know it might vary by office and their idiosyncrasies for hiring, but will it be viewed poorly if I haven’t been an AUSA for a very long amount of time (a few years) when I apply? I didn’t expect a vacancy back home to pop open anytime soon. The only reason I would apply is to be closer to my family. I am really happy with my current office otherwise.

I don't think it will be viewed poorly. It sounds like you can articulate a good reason for changing offices. I transferred offices around the three-year mark, and it was also to return to my home district and be closer to family. I think that's viewed pretty favorably, because you won't be a flight risk.

Thank you for this. I’ll be honest, it will be a lot sooner than the three-year mark. But I figure that the opportunity to transfer won’t come again any time soon.

[Anonymous User]

Is the hiring process any different if you’re a current AUSA applying/interviewing for a position in another part of the country? As a current AUSA, I am aware of incoming vacancies in my hometown. Assuming that I could secure an offer, will I need to go through the background check process again? (I passed without any issues the first time, but I am just curious what my timeline will look like.)

Current AUSA who transferred offices in 2023. The process is pretty much the same - you apply through USAJOBS and compete against any external applicants. However, if you're selected, the office to which you applied will contact your current office to facilitate an employee transfer. I believe the paperwork ultimately goes through EOUSA in Washington. Your background check adjudication will transfer over. I do think an existing DOJ employee has an advantage when competing against external candidates because the background check has already been adjudicated, so there's less risk involved for the hiring office and onboarding can begin sooner.

Thanks for the helpful response. Glad to hear that I may have a slight advantage. I know it might vary by office and their idiosyncrasies for hiring, but will it be viewed poorly if I haven’t been an AUSA for a very long amount of time (a few years) when I apply? I didn’t expect a vacancy back home to pop open anytime soon. The only reason I would apply is to be closer to my family. I am really happy with my current office otherwise.

I don't think it will be viewed poorly. It sounds like you can articulate a good reason for changing offices. I transferred offices around the three-year mark, and it was also to return to my home district and be closer to family. I think that's viewed pretty favorably, because you won't be a flight risk.

Thank you. I’ll be honest, it’ll be much sooner than the three-year mark. But I figure that the opportunity may not present itself for a long time.

[Anonymous User]

Thank you. I’ll be honest, it’ll be much sooner than the three-year mark. But I figure that the opportunity may not present itself for a long time.

I don’t think this is a problem - people understand that you can’t control when openings arise. If you don’t have a lot of experience yet, you may be at a slight disadvantage if there are other more experienced AUSAs from elsewhere applying, but you’ll still have an advantage over non-AUSAs for the reasons already given.

It’s possible someone somewhere in the process may disapprove of people leaving jobs after < X amount of time, who knows, but you can’t let that control what you do in this kind of a situation. Worst that happens is you apply and don’t get it, leaving you in the same position you are now.