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 United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa is seeking two experienced attorneys to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorneys in our Civil Division. These positions are located in Des Moines, Iowa, the state's capital city and the center of one of the Midwest's fastest-growing metropolitan areas. We seek motivated individuals who enjoy handling a broad range of complex cases on behalf of the United States. These matters include defense of claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act, employment discrimination statutes, and commercial litigation. The position also involves affirmative litigation involving fraud, debt collection, real estate foreclosures, bankruptcy, and appeals of administrative determinations involving federal agencies. Des Moines offers the unique combination of a thriving legal and business community with an outstanding quality of life and affordable cost of living. The metro area is known for its vibrant downtown, nationally recognized restaurants, excellent schools, and welcoming community atmosphere. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy extensive bike trails, nearby lakes and parks, and easy access to recreation throughout central Iowa. Des Moines is also home to a growing arts and cultural scene, professional sports, live music venues, and year-round community events, while still offering short commute times and a family-friendly environment that makes it an exceptional place to live and work. With easy access to major interstates and an international airport, Des Moines combines the advantages of a larger city with the convenience and affordability of a smaller market, making it an outstanding 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.
Education
Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree
How you will be evaluated
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. The Occupational Questionnaire will take you approximately 20 minutes to complete. 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). 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.