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

Application Deadline:

Wednesday, September 2, 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. For more information on the Office, see https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndia. Job Description 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.