If statement saved inside Javascript variable

I have a snippet of JQuery that is being saved into a variable name that helps create a notice on the page. I am trying to change the class associated with the html element if the class has already been added to the page. This is being done in a WordPress plugin.

Below is the original and below that is my first stab at it.

noticeItemOuter = jQuery('<div></div>').addClass('notice-item-wrapper');

My try:

 noticeItemOuter    =  if (JQuery(".notice-item-wrapper").length > 0) {
              jQuery('<div></div>').addClass('notice-item-wrapper2');
            }else{
                jQuery('<div></div>').addClass('notice-item-wrapper');        
            }

I added console logs inside the if else statement and never saw them pop up.