Description

Position Announcements

DEL RIO ASSISTANT FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER 26-14

MIDLAND ASSISTANT FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER 26-16

ALPINE RESEARCH AND WRITING SPECIALIST 26-27

Office of the Federal Public Defender Western District of Texas

THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Western District of Texas, is accepting applications for the following locations/positions: Del Rio Assistant Federal Public Defender; Midland Assistant Federal Public Defender; and Alpine Research and Writing Specialist. The Federal Public Defender operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel.

Requirements. An Assistant Federal Public Defender must be (1) a graduate of an accredited law school; (2) admitted to practice before a state bar, but a Texas bar license is strongly preferred; and (3) admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas prior to entry on duty. Spanish-language fluency is required for Del Rio AFPD. Federal criminal trial experience preferred.

The research and writing specialist position is an attorney position. Applicants must be: (1) a graduate of an accredited law school; (2) admitted to practice law in Texas or by the highest court of another state; and (3) admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas within one year after employment begins. At least three years of specialized experience is preferred.

Appointments are subject to a satisfactory background investigation, including but not limited to an FBI name and fingerprint check and an IRS tax check.

Duties. The ASSISTANT FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER will represent clients charged with federal criminal offenses and clients involved in other matters covered under the Criminal Justice Act. Regular responsibilities include working with clients; digesting large case files and investigative materials; developing litigation strategies; drafting pleadings; conducting evidentiary hearings and trials; working with experts and other witnesses; and supervising teams of investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and legal assistants. The position requires travel for investigation, litigation, and training, and may involve foreign travel. Federal public defender attorneys may not engage in the private practice of law.

The RESEARCH AND WRITING SPECIALIST’s primary duties will include drafting motions, memoranda, briefs, and petitions to be filed in the U.S. District Court; and consulting with attorneys on legal issues arising in discovery, motion practice, trial, sentencing, and appeal. A research and writing specialist may have to perform general paralegal duties, and other duties as assigned. The research and writing specialist is not an assistant federal public defender and does not sign pleadings or make court appearances. The position requires occasional travel.

Selection Criteria. Visit our website at Employment Opportunities | Federal Public Defender - Western District of Texas for selection criteria.

Salary and Benefits. The salary of an assistant federal public defender is commensurate with that of an assistant U.S. attorney with similar qualifications and experience. The starting salary of a research and writing specialist will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant, within a range from $74,678 (JSP-11, Step 1) to $147,945 (JSP-15, Step 1) per annum. The positions are in the excepted service and do not carry the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The positions offer federal government employment benefits, including health and life insurance, retirement, and participation in the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).

How to Apply. Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest (referencing the announcement number), a résumé, references, and representative writing sample. Experience in litigation, research, and writing should be described in detail. Send all required documents in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-AFPD or RAW/ location” by email to TXW_Employment@fd.org. Electronic submissions sent directly to the Defender will not be considered. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at (210) 981-2081. More than one position may be filled from this announcement. Positions announced February 6, 2026, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.

Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer.