Associate Counsel

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

Are you an energetic, high-capacity, fast-learning legal professional who is passionate about agriculture
and enjoys working in a dynamic environment? The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship (IDALS) is seeking an Attorney 2 to serve as Associate Counsel, specializing in agricultural
law, regulatory compliance, public records requests, and public health matters such as animal disease
outbreaks. In this key role, you will support IDALS’ General Counsel in providing legal services to our
department, serving IDALS’ 14 unique bureaus in fulfilling our mission of providing leadership in all
aspects of Iowa agriculture; ensuring food safety, consumer protection, and animal health; and
promoting conservation efforts to preserve our land and enhance water quality for the next generation.
With approximately 360 dedicated employees, and in partnership with state and federal agencies, the
public, and numerous organizations across Iowa, IDALS supports a wide range of programs that
influence the daily lives of Iowans statewide. Join our team to be a part of meaningful work that impacts
Iowa’s farm families, communities, and natural resources. Learn more about IDALS here.

Key Responsibilities:

• Research and Advise. Advise IDALS teams on a variety of legal matters, including specialprojects, emergency responses, and policy matters related to agriculture. Conduct comprehensive legal research when necessary.
• Public Records Requests and Subpoenas: Manage complex public records requests under state open records laws. Process requests from media, agricultural organizations and stakeholders, law firms, and interest groups. Advise Department leadership and staff on handling sensitive information in compliance with legal standards, ensuring confidentiality and proper release of records. Manage responses to subpoenas for documents and testimony.
• Contract Drafting and Legal Advice: Review, draft, and advise on contracts related to the following: procurement of goods, services, and equipment; technology, including licensing and service agreements; cooperative efforts with private businesses, contractors, and governmeny agencies; the Choose Iowa initiative, promoting Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made food and ag products; and collaboration with Iowa State University on research and other programs. Ensure legal compliance on all contracts.
• Animal Disease Management: Provide legal support for infectious, contagious or foreign animal disease response, including drafting and reviewing quarantine orders and advising on enforcement procedures.
• Legislative and Policy Development: Advise on legislative and rulemaking activities at the state and federal levels, including development, drafting and interpretation.
• Regulatory Assistance: Provide legal support for regulatory investigations, inspections, enforcement and administrative actions.

• Knowledge of administrative law and government, including abilities to understand and interpret applicable statutes and administrative rules.
• Command of the English language with strong written and oral communication skills.
• Deductive and inductive reasoning abilities to solve problems, produce answers, and reach conclusions.
• Strong skills in active listening and learning, critical thinking, reading comprehension, negotiation, persuasion, judgment, and decision-making.
• Attention to detail, organization, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively in a busy environment.
• Commitment to customer service with a collaborative spirit and willingness to assist colleagues across the Department and help people across the state.
• Basic knowledge of office equipment and standard software applications (e.g., MS Office Suite).

• Comprehensive family medical insurance options starting as low as $205 per month, with single coverage available from $61 per month.
• Free single dental insurance and affordable family coverage at $46 per month.
• Complimentary life insurance ($20,000 basic coverage) with voluntary supplemental options and no-cost long-term disability insurance.
• A secure retirement with IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) and a deferred compensation plan with a state match of up to $75 per month.
• Generous paid leave benefits, including nine holidays, plus sick, vacation, military, and jury duty leave.
• Flexible working environment, including telework opportunities.

• The opportunity to research and work on interesting and innovative issues in agriculture, and
• No hourly billing.

354 Law Degree Possession of a law degree from an accredited institution.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1. Graduation from an accredited school of law, and experience equal to two years of full-time work in the practice of law; not including experience as a law clerk.
2. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work with the employing agency in the practice of law; not including experience as a law clerk.

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to be admitted to the Iowa State Bar if required at the time of appointment.