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 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.

• Research and Advise. Advise IDALS teams on a variety of legal matters including special projects, emergency responses, and policy matters related to agriculture. Conduct comprehensive legal research when necessary.
• Public Records Requests and Subpoenas
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  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
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  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 government 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
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  Provide legal support for infectious, contagious or foreign disease response, including drafting and reviewing quarantine orders and advising on enforcement procedures.
• Legislative and Policy Development
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  Advise on legislative and rule making activities at the state and federal levels, , including development, drafting and interpretation.
• Regulatory Assistance
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  Provide legal support to regulatory investigations, inspections, enforcement and administrative actions.

• Graduation from an accredited school of law.
• License to practice law in the State of Iowa.
• Experience equal to two years of full-time work in the practice of law, not including experience as a law clerk.

• 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 $210 per month, with single…