Legal Counsel

Full Job Description

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

The Iowa Finance Authority (IFA) is seeking a dedicated Legal Counsel to join our Legal & Policy Team.

In this role, you’ll help ensure that IFA’s programs are administered in full compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations—supporting our mission to provide affordable housing, strengthen communities, and drive economic growth across Iowa.

About Us:

At the Iowa Finance Authority, we’re committed to enhancing the economic well-being of Iowans.

We provide a wide range of programs to support affordable housing, community development, and water quality initiatives.

From helping first-time homebuyers achieve their dreams to supporting disaster recovery and water quality initiatives, we’re at the heart of improving the quality of life for residents across the state.

About this Opportunity:

The Legal & Policy Team plays a critical role in ensuring that IFA’s programs and operations meet the highest standards of legal and regulatory compliance.

By providing counsel, drafting and reviewing contracts, and interpreting complex laws and regulations, the Legal Team helps safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of IFA’s work.

As our Legal Counsel, you will:

• Provide legal counsel to assigned programs, reviewing documents and researching laws, regulations, and cases.
• Respond to records requests, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with state and federal law.
• Draft, review, revise, and negotiate agency contracts and interagency agreements, collaborating with staff and external partners.
• Draft and review administrative rules for assignment programs, working closing with the program team and the legal team for proper implementation.
• Assist with administrative proceedings, investigations, and litigation, including coordination with the Attorney General’s office.
• Support staff in following proper procedures for foreclosure, title transfers, and other program-related actions.
• Prepare legal correspondence, reports, opinions, and legislative briefs.

What We Offer:

• Impactful Work: Play a key role in advancing affordable housing and economic opportunity for Iowans.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for attending conferences and workshops to learn of program impacts.
• Collaborative Environment: Work with a dedicated team, tackling complex legal challenges.

Ideal candidates will have:

• A background in public sector, housing, or regulatory law.
• Proven ability to analyze legal issues, draft clear legal documents, and communicate effectively.
• Embodiment of our Core Values:

Accountability in Action - We take pride in our work and results.

Innovate Together - We thrive on solving challenges through dynamic collaboration with our teams and partners.
Mission Driven - We place Iowans at the heart of everything we do.

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit This is Iowa to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment, opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures.

As an employee of the Iowa Finance Authority, you are a State of Iowa employee, and you are eligible to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation with accruals that rollover on a yearly basis, sick leave with no limits on accrual and 9 paid holidays per year.
• Great Benefits: Excellent Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS Retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible Spending Accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free Life Insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Programs and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about benefits available to State of Iowa employees visit the benefits web page.

The Legal Counsel position is a non-merit, contract-covered position that is classified by the State of Iowa as an Attorney 2. This position is exempt per FLSA regulations.

Applicant must pass a comprehensive background check before an offer for employment will be extended.

The Iowa Finance Authority is an EEO/AA Employer

This is a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

E-Verify and Right to WorkThe State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Requirements

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

Qualifications

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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Information

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.