Special Assistant U.S. Attorney—Special Attorneys Program

United States Department of Justice; Meghalaya; On-site; INR 6,010,000 - 14,792,000; Full time

Job summary

USAO Northern District of Iowa seeks an exceptional attorney to prosecute fraud, drug, and human-trafficking crimes. The role involves cross-designation as a Special Assistant United States Attorney and working with federal law‑enforcement partners across multiple locations in Iowa.

Applicants must be admitted to practice in Iowa (or eligible for admission), be a U.S. citizen, pass a background check, and perform self‑sufficient legal research and pleadings. Travel and relocation may be required.

Qualifications

• Admission to practice law in Iowa (or eligible to be admitted to Iowa).
• United States citizenship or permanent allegiance to the United States.
• Background investigation required.
• SA-SA practice involves day-to-day legal research and pleadings.

Responsibilities

• Prosecute fraud, drug, and human-trafficking crimes.
• Investigate and prosecute those who defraud the federal government.
• Cross-designate as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

Skills

Federal prosecutions

Oral advocacy

Written advocacy

Interpersonal skills

Grand jury practice

Job description

Hiring Organization

USAO Northern District of Iowa

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Term

Location: Multiple Locations

Location: Multiple Locations Application Deadline: Monday, November 16, 2026

About the Office

United States Attorneys and their assistants are uniquely charged with pursuing not just policies, but justice—justice for communities, justice for victims, and justice even for those defending themselves against criminal charges. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa, with its headquarters in Cedar Rapids and a branch office in Sioux City, does so in 52 of the state’s 99 counties.

The Office has a longstanding reputation for the boldness of its defense of the interests of the United States, whether it is prosecuting federal crimes, defending the Nation from civil claims, or seeking restitution from those who got taxpayer funds through fraud. In addition to routinely trying and winning complex, difficult cases, it routinely ranks among the busiest of the 25 U.S. Attorney’s Offices of comparable size. The Office culture emphasizes professionalism, teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship.

“I’m here on behalf of the United States of America.” The gravity hits every time you appear in court, introduce yourself at a negotiation, or announce your attendance at a deposition: “I’m here on behalf of the United States of America.” In few positions besides Assistant U.S. Attorney are the Nation’s interest and safety so frequently embodied in a single representative. If you’re called to bear the awesome weight of standing on behalf of our Republic, the Northern District of Iowa is looking for you.

Our Office is seeking an exceptional candidate to prosecute fraud, drug, and human-trafficking crimes. If selected, you will serve as an Assistant Attorney General in the Joint Fraud and Trafficking Initiative of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and be cross‑designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney.

You will investigate and prosecute those who defraud the federal government of taxpayer money, primarily those who cheat federal benefit and grant programs. You will also investigate and prosecute those who have committed federal crimes by trafficking persons and drugs into or through the State of Iowa.

Qualifications

• Admission to practice law: You must be licensed to practice law in Iowa (or licensed elsewhere and eligible to be admitted to practice in Iowa).
• Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. (The latter group includes natives of American Samoa, natives of the Swains Island, and certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).
• Background investigation: You must successfully complete a background investigation.
• Legal practice: Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys do their own legal research and writing. You must be substantially self‑sufficient in preparing day‑to‑day correspondence and pleadings.

You will be a preferred applicant if you have:

• Experience prosecuting federal or white‑collar crimes, or as a law clerk with significant responsibility for such cases;
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience working with law‑enforcement officials and multi‑agency task forces; and
• Experience with federal grand‑jury practice.

Applicants should familiarize themselves and comply with the relevant rules of professional conduct regarding any possible conflicts of interest in connection with their applications. In particular, please notify this Office if you currently represent clients or adjudicate matters in which this Office is involved and/or you have a family member who is representing clients or adjudicating matters in which this Office is involved so that we can evaluate any potential conflicts of interest or disqualification issues that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.

This is not a federal position and does not confer federal employment or benefits. If successful, you will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Iowa and be eligible for State of Iowa benefits. The salary for this position is $63,585.60–$156,499.20, depending on experience.

Number of Positions

1 (one)

Travel

Travel within and outside the district will be required.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships . The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.