Ag Law Research Specialist

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

3d

About The Position

The Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation (CALT) at Iowa State University is seeking an Ag Law Research Specialist to join our team in supporting the agricultural community through education and outreach in the areas of agricultural law, taxation, business entities, and estate and transition planning. This role involves creating and delivering practical, research-based legal resources and programming for agricultural producers and their advisors.

If you are curious, self-motivated, and eager to learn, this position offers a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of agricultural law and taxation—and even become a recognized expert in the field. You'll get paid to research, write, and teach about important legal issues that directly affect agricultural producers and the professionals who serve them. This is not a billable-hours job, there’s no time tracking or punching a clock. Instead, you'll work with a supportive team and connect with an interesting, engaged audience, including farmers, attorneys, tax professionals, and ag industry experts. The work is meaningful and will provide practical education that helps people, drives positive change, and makes a real difference in the agricultural community. Although this is a term position, we expect it to provide a long-term opportunity, with a renewable term option. The candidate will be hired as an Industry Extension Specialist III. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship. This posting will remain open until filled.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of related experience
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship

Nice To Haves

• Juris Doctor
• Experience advising agricultural clients in agricultural law, taxation, business entity, or estate / transition planning matters.
• Demonstrated experience with legal research and writing.
• CPA, LLM, or M.S. or B.S. in accounting, taxation, agricultural economics, or related field.
• Teaching experience.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, and write educational materials focused on agricultural law, taxation, business structures, and estate/transition planning. These materials will be used in print publications, online resources, webinars, and seminar presentations.
• Present legal education and training through workshops, webinars, and conferences to a broad range of stakeholders, including producers, attorneys, tax professionals, and other agricultural advisors.
• Analyze and interpret federal and state laws, regulations, and legal developments affecting agriculture.
• Collaborate with CALT staff to evaluate the impact of legal and policy changes and ensure timely, accurate information is shared with the agricultural community.
• Conduct legal research and review relevant legal documents to support educational and outreach efforts.
• Engage with partners, including policymakers, industry leaders, and university collaborators, to support CALT’s mission of providing trusted, objective legal education across the agricultural sector.

Benefits

• Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level