Salary : $63,585.60 - $98,633.60 Annually
Location : Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 27-00151
Agency: 428 Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP
Point of Contact: Job DescriptionAre you ready to make a meaningful impact through public service? The Iowa State Public Defender's Office is seeking a highly motivated, skilled, and enthusiastic attorney to serve as an Public Defender 1 in our Appellate Defender office located in Des Moines, Iowa.
What You'll DoAs a Public Defender attorney in this position, you will:
- Receive training and mentoring from experienced and well-respected attorneys with valuable appellate experience.
- Perform entry-level professional legal work representing indigent clients on appeal in cases where the State Appellate Defender's Office has been appointed as counsel.
- Conduct thorough review of the client trial court records and perform extensive legal research to prepare the appeal in assigned cases to determine the merits of the cases and appropriate courses of action.
- Draft appellate briefs, motionsfor further review, and other motions or documents in support of an appeal.
- Present oral arguments in assigned cases before the Iowa Court of Appeals, the Iowa Supreme Court, and the United States Supreme Court.
- Advise and communicate with clients at all stages of the appeal and respond to clients in a timely manner.
- Other duties as assigned to further support public defender offices may also be required.
This is a non-merit position for the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing - Public Defender. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise. What We OfferWhen you join the SPD, you become a part of a strong team culture that is committed to serving the community. In addition to providing a respect for work-life balance, we have a competitive total compensation package for all of our full-time employees, including:
- Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
- Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
- On the job training by dedicated, experienced professionals.
- Opportunities for professional development.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
- Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
- Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
- Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
- Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
- Access to an on-site employee fitness center.
For additional information on benefits click here.
Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and possess a current license to practice law in the State of Iowa prior to commencing employment in positions in this job classification.
