Assistant United States Attorney

Summary

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa employs approximately 30 Assistant United States Attorneys. The District's headquarters office is located in Des Moines. The District has staffed branch offices in Davenport and Council Bluffs, which serve the District's eastern and western divisions. More information about the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa can be found at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia

Duties

• The closing date for this vacancy announcement has been extended. The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is seeking an experienced attorney to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney in our Criminal Division. This position is located in Davenport, Iowa, one of the largest cities in the state and part of the vibrant Quad Cities region along the Mississippi River. We seek a highly motivated individual who is committed to public service and enjoys handling a broad range of complex criminal prosecutions on behalf of the United States. Assistant United States Attorneys in the Southern District of Iowa handle a wide variety of complex cases, including offenses involving drug trafficking, firearms and other violent crime, child exploitation, immigration, and fraud. Assistant United States Attorneys handle these criminal cases at all phases of prosecution, including grand jury investigations, pre-trial proceedings, trials and sentencing hearings, and appeals. Davenport offers an outstanding quality of life with an affordable cost of living, a strong legal community, and access to the cultural, recreational, and economic opportunities of the Quad Cities region. The area features a vibrant downtown, diverse dining and entertainment options, excellent schools, scenic riverfront attractions, and numerous parks and trails. Residents enjoy a family-friendly environment, short commute times, and convenient access to major transportation routes, making Davenport an exceptional place to live, work, and build a career. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. 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. 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. 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.

Qualifications

Required qualifications: Applicants must possess a J.D. degree, be an active member of the bar (any jurisdiction), and have at least two-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. 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.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/12/2026 to receive consideration. 1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. 2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing date.) 3. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete. You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. However, should you not be able to apply online, please contact Southern District of Iowa at (515) 473-9337 or email at [email protected], prior to the closing date of this announcement to request an alternate method of applying.