Special Assistant United States Attorney

The United States Department of Justice; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States Department of Justice, and the Linn County Attorney’s Office, are seeking a Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) for the Cedar Rapids office to handle a broad range of federal cases tied to HIDTA initiatives. The position includes cross-designation by the Linn County Attorney’s Office and is funded by a HIDTA grant with an anticipated two-year term.

You must be a U.S. citizen with a J.D.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen with a J.D. and active bar admission in any U.S. jurisdiction.
• At least one year of post‑J.D. legal experience required.
• Strong legal research and writing skills; self-sufficient in day-to-day pleadings/comms.
• Proficient in using computers and standard legal software.

Responsibilities

• Handle a broad range of cases involving HIDTA initiatives and narcotics-related offenses.
• Investigate and prosecute cases to combat cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
• Collaborate with multiple agencies and cross-designate as SAUSA for Linn County Attorney’s Office.
• Travel within and outside the District as required.

Skills

J.D. degree

Bar admission

Legal research & writing

Computer proficiency

Federal practice

Appellate briefs

Narcotics prosecution

Multi-agency collaboration

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Special Assistant United States Attorney

Hiring Organization

USAO Northern District of Iowa

Attorney Appointment Type

Attorney Term

Job ID

26-NDIA-SAUSA-01

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 - United States

Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 52401 - United States Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 19, 2026

About the Office

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa prosecutes federal criminal offenses and defends the federal government’s interests in civil cases in 52 of the state’s 99 counties. The headquarters office is in Cedar Rapids with a branch office in Sioux City.

The Office routinely ranks among the busiest of the 25 U.S. Attorney’s Offices of comparable size, and its attorneys have a reputation for trying and winning complex, difficult cases. The work environment emphasizes professionalism, teamwork, collaboration, and mentorship.

This posting is for a Special Assistant United States Attorney, or SAUSA, to serve in the Cedar Rapids office.

The SAUSA will handle a broad range of cases involving significant and complex issues related to the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) initiative. The SAUSA’s efforts will focus on investigating and prosecuting cases to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, end illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs,and stop narcotics and narcotics-related crimes.

This is a non-federal position, and it does not confer status as a federal employee. The Linn County Attorney’s Office will employ the selectee as an Assistant County Attorney and administer the terms, conditions, and salary of the position; the Office will cross-designate the selectee as a SAUSA. This position is funded by a HIDTA grant and expected to have a two-year term. The term may be extended without further competition or end early due to a lack of grant funds.

Qualifications

You must be a U.S. citizen, possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction), and have at least one-year post-JD professional legal experience. SAUSAs do their own legal research and writing and must be substantially self-sufficient in preparing day-to-day correspondence and pleadings. You must be proficient in the use of computers.

You will be a preferred applicant if you have:

• Experience, skills, or interest in prosecuting federal narcotics and narcotics-related crimes;
• Excellent oral and written advocacy skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including experience working with multi-agency task forces and other law enforcement officials;
• Experience and familiarity with federal grand jury practice
• Experience preparing appellate briefs and presenting appellate arguments.

Note that SAUSAs may not engage in the outside compensated practice of law. You are not eligible for this position if you have a deferred employment offer from a law firm and received a payment for the deferral period with the expectation of future employment, nor are you eligible if you will receive any payment from a law firm during your potential term as a SAUSA. Contractors, including employees of contractors who do business with the Department of Justice and who are attorneys, are also not eligible.

Application Process

Identify possible conflicts of interest in an addendum to your application, paying particular attention to matters in which your clients, family members, or clients of family members are adverse to the federal government. Doing so allows us to evaluate possible conflict and disqualification issues. Candidates who do not disclose this information will be removed from consideration, including by withdrawal of a job offer.

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.

The annual salary for this position may be up to $90,000, depending on availability of funds and the selectee’s experience. Salary and benefits will be administered by the Linn County Attorney’s Office.

Number of Positions

1 (one)

Travel

The SAUSA should expect to be required to travel within and outside the District.

Relocation Expenses

Relocation expenses will not be paid.

This and othervacancy announcements can be found underAttorney Vacancies andVolunteer 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.