Judge Jarvey was a trial attorney of the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice from 1983 to 1987. As a prosecutor, he specialized in fraud in the pharmaceutical industry. He taught trial advocacy at the University of Iowa College of Law and mock trial at Cedar Rapids Washington High School.

Judge Jarvey was a United States Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa from 1987 to 2007. As a magistrate judge, Jarvey conducted over 400 mediations. On January 9, 2007, Jarvey was nominated for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 8, 2007. He became Chief Judge on March 1, 2015.