<p>Summary</p> <p>The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is located in Des Moines, Iowa. The office employees approximately 30 Assistant United States Attorneys, and 26 support staff. The office's criminal and civil divisions handle a wide variety of matters. Employment at the United States Attorney's Office offers a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney, including an opportunity to work on significant, complex and visible cases being litigated.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is located in Des Moines, Iowa. The office employees approximately 30 Assistant United States Attorneys, and 26 support staff. The office's criminal and civil divisions handle a wide variety of matters. Employment at the United States Attorney's Office offers a unique and challenging experience for the highly motivated attorney, including an opportunity to work on significant, complex and visible cases being litigated.</p> <p>Overview</p> <p>Help</p> <p>Accepting applications</p> <p>Open & closing dates</p> <p>07/25/2025 to 08/25/2025</p> <p>Salary $74,539 to - $194,963 per year Pay scale & grade AD 21</p> <p>Location</p> <p>Des Moines, IA</p> <p>1 vacancy</p> <p>Remote job No Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Travel Required Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position. Relocation expenses reimbursed No Appointment type Permanent Work schedule Full-time Service Excepted</p> <p>Promotion potential</p> <p>29</p> <p>Job family (Series)</p> <ul> <li>0905 Attorney </li></ul> <p>Supervisory status Yes Security clearance Top Secret Drug test Yes Position sensitivity and risk Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk</p> <p>Trust determination process</p> <ul> <li>Credentialing </li><li>Suitability/Fitness </li><li>National security </li></ul> <p>Financial disclosure Yes Bargaining unit status No</p> <p>Announcement number 25-IAS-12771391-AUSA Control number 841602200</p> <p>This job is open to</p> <p>Help</p> <p>The public</p> <p>U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.</p> <p>Clarification from the agency</p> <p>All United States Citizens and Nationals</p> <p>Duties</p> <p>Help</p> <p>The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is currently accepting applications for a Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney to serve in the Civil Division as the Civil Chief. The Civil Chief will be responsible for supervising attorneys and support staff who participate in affirmative and defensive litigation on behalf of the United States, as well as personally handling civil matters. The Civil Division also is responsible for representing the United States in bankruptcy proceedings, financial litigation, and asset forfeiture matters. The office is seeking an experienced civil litigator who has a strong background in federal and/or state litigation, including trial experience. Prior management experience, preferably in a United States Attorney's Office or other government office, is preferred.</p> <p>The successful candidate will be hired as an Assistant United States Attorney and will serve as a Supervisory AUSA under a temporary promotion at the discretion of the United States Attorney. Promotions to Supervisory AUSA positions are made on a temporary basis. At the end of the temporary promotion, the Supervisory AUSA may be returned to a non-supervisory AUSA within the USAO or extended.</p> <p>Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.</p> <p>Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.</p> <p>Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.</p> <p>Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See www.sss.gov.</p> <p>Requirements</p> <p>Help</p> <p>Conditions of employment</p> <ul> <li>You must be a United States Citizen or National. </li><li>Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. Continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation. </li><li>You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable. </li><li>J.D. degree and active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction) required. </li><li>Type of Position: This is a temporary position not-to-exceed 14 months. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition. </li><li>Must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information. </li></ul> <p>Qualifications</p> <p>Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least one-year post-J.D. legal or other relevant experience. At least three years of post-J.D. litigation experience is preferred, with extensive research and writing experience.</p> <p>Preferred qualifications: Possess superior oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills, exhibit good judgment, function with minimal guidance in a highly demanding environment, and a demonstrated record of integrity. Interested AUSAs or government attorneys must have at least a successful evaluation for the past year. All applicants must be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction) and not have received any disciplinary action within the past three years from the date of the application. In addition, applicants must exhibit the ability to work in a supportive and professional manner with other attorneys, support staff, and client agencies, and the ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and evaluate other highly qualified attorneys.</p> <p>Applicants should be able to demonstrate by experience, knowledge, or training, that they have an understanding of basic leadership and managerial skills. Ideal qualifications include at least three years of litigation experience in the role of lead counsel, with experience arguing motions and conducting federal jury trials, as well as prior experience supervising other litigation attorneys.</p> <p>You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.</p> <p>Education</p> <p>Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree</p> <p>Additional information</p> <p>Salary Information: Assistant United States Attorney's pay is administratively determined based, in part, on the number of years of professional attorney experience. The range of basic pay is $74,539 to $194,963 includes locality pay.</p> <p>Other Benefits: The Department of Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation; sick leave; holidays; telework; life insurance; health benefits; and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. The Benefits link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered to Federal Employees.</p> <p>Benefits: This is a temporary position which offers limited benefits such as paid vacation, sick leave, telework, and holidays.</p> <p>Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses will not be authorized.</p> <ul> <li> <ul> <li>* </li></ul> </li></ul> <p>This and other vacancy 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.</p> <p>Type of Position: All initial attorney appointments to the Department of Justice are made on a 14 month (temporary) basis pending favorable adjudication of a background investigation.</p> <p>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 conflict of interest or disqualification issue that may need to be addressed under those circumstances.</p> <p>Type of Position: This is a temporary position not-to-exceed 14 months. This position may be extended or made permanent without further competition.</p> <p>Political Appointees (Current and Former): Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service.</p> <p>Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication. This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing. In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.</p> <p>EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor.</p> <p>Expand Hide additional information</p> <p>Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.</p> <p>Benefits</p> <p>Help</p> <p>A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.</p> <p>Review our benefits</p> <p>Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.</p> <p>How you will be evaluated</p> <p>You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.</p> <p>Evaluation Method: Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview.</p> <p>The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete.</p> <p>Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).</p> <p>Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.</p> <p>Benefits</p> <p>Help</p> <p>A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.</p> <p>Review our benefits</p> <p>Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.</p> <p>Required documents</p> <p>Required Documents</p> <p>Help</p> <p>You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:</p> <ul> <li>Required - Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process). </li><li>Required - Your resume showing relevant experience and dates of employment (include day/month/year). (cover letter optional). </li><li>Required, if applicable - To get Veterans' Preference, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire and you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation. See the "How you will be Evaluated" section for details regarding what is appropriate Veterans' Preference documentation. It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume. </li></ul> <p>The Point of Contact for this vacancy announcement is David Harris who can be reached at (515) 473-9337 or david.harris2@usdoj.gov</p> <p>Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with targeted/severe disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.</p> <p>Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff. The two-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.</p> <p>Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:</p> <ul> <li>Position title; </li><li>Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); </li><li>Agency; and </li><li>Beginning and ending dates of appointment. </li></ul>