Special Attorney

Overview

This position is supported through the U.S. Department of Justice’s FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program, providing funding for 100 percent of the salary and fringe benefits of assigned Special Attorneys and Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs), subject to the terms of the award. The program anticipates a 36-month award period.

Selected attorneys will serve in a cross-designated federal prosecutorial role while remaining a state employee. Continued participation is subject to applicable state employment requirements, federal appointment requirements, funding availability, and the terms of the cross-designation agreement.

Schedule: Permanent - Full Time

Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, M-F

Classified Indicator: Unclassified

Union: Exempt from union

Responsibilities

Working under the direction of the National Fraud Enforcement Division, the DOJ Criminal Division, or a U.S. Attorney’s Office, selected attorneys will investigate and prosecute criminal activity in the public sector.

Assigned case work may include cases involving drug trafficking and human trafficking.

Duties may include:

• Investigating and prosecuting assigned fraud cases and other criminal offenses within the scope of the program.
• Developing criminal cases through evidence review, legal research, investigative coordination, and case preparation.
• Preparing and litigating criminal matters in coordination with federal prosecutorial authorities.
• Coordinating with state, local, and federal law enforcement partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute criminal activity.
• Supporting coordinated case identification, referral, and review processes to improve the effectiveness of criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• Participating in multijurisdictional enforcement efforts, including matters involving drug trafficking, human trafficking, and transnational criminal organizations, as assigned.
• Working with federal partners to advance investigations, strengthen prosecutorial capacity, and support effective enforcement of applicable criminal laws.

Requirements

• Active admission to a state bar and proof of active bar status.
• A certificate of good standing from the applicable bar authority.
• Relevant legal experience and the ability to support criminal investigations and prosecutions.
• The ability to coordinate effectively with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners.
• Willingness to investigate and prosecute assigned cases within the scope of the program, including applicable federal immigration offenses.
• Ability to satisfy federal pre-appointment screening and background investigation requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Not specified.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: Commensurate with Experience

Participation in OPERS and other employment benefits will be governed by applicable eligibility requirements and agency policies.

Benefits for eligible employees may include:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors.

Location

• United States

Additional Information

• Appointment contingencies: Appointment as a Special Attorney or SAUSA is contingent upon satisfactory pre-appointment review, which may include security clearance procedures, drug testing, fingerprinting, tax compliance review, a credit check, and a background investigation. Attorneys must maintain the required qualifications and satisfy applicable federal appointment requirements.

• ADA Statement: Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

• Drug-Free Workplace: The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). This position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

• Posting/Deadline: All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.