General counsel - Saint Paul, MN, United States - State of Minnesota

Description

Full job description Job Details

Job Class: General Counsel 2

Agency: Department of Children, Youth, and Families

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted : 04/12/2024
• Closing Date : 05/02/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Children, Youth, and Families
• Division/Unit : DCYF / General Counsel Office
• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
• Days of Work : Monday - Friday
• Travel Required : No
• Salary Range: $ $76.55 / hourly; $111,582 - $159,836 / annually
• Classified Status : Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union : Managerial
• Telework Eligible : Yes - This position may allow for Telework or a hybrid of working in office and Telework.
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

NOTE: A hiring incentive may be available.

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you'll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

We are excited to introduce a leadership role as the General Counsel in preparation for the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).¿The General Counsel will begin work at DCYF upon establishment in July 2024.

In the 2023 legislative session, the Governor's Office, Minnesota legislature, and leaders for children and families worked in partnership to pass legislation establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to create a sustainable, public face for children's issues in state government. This new cabinet-level agency brings together programs centered on children and families, including child care and early learning, child support, child safety and permanency, economic support and food assistance, and youth opportunity. DCYF will be established in July 2024 and fully staffed by July 2025.

The General Counsel (GC) is responsible for the strategic vision and goal development and implementation of strategies to effectively integrate the Department's legal functions to achieve the Department of Children, Youth, and Families objectives. The GC leads the General Counsel's Office (GCO), which provides oversight, direction, and coordination of all of the Department's legal activities, including: providing legal and ethics advice and recommendations; managing the Department's litigation, data privacy, Commissioner delegations and rulemaking functions; preparing and issuing Commissioner decisions and certifications for defense and indemnification; engaging in negotiations and settlements; and supporting overall compliance with state and federal laws, among other activities.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Serve as chief legal counsel for the new state agency, and ensure a more aligned and child-centered government with coordination with several state agencies and the Governor's office as well as service providers and partners. Develop the legal strategic vision and goals and provide oversight, direction and coordination of the legal responsibilities of the Department and provided through the GCO.
• Participate as a member of the Commissioner's Executive team, senior leadership, and other related structures to ensure that there is oversight and leadership of legal aspects of DCYF, predict trends, and serve as an executive team decision-maker on policy decisions supporting the Department's objectives and compliance with law.
• Provide oversight, direction, and coordination of the Department's legal and rulemaking activities.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications

**To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month, day and year for each job held.**

• JD degree from an ABA accredited law school;
• Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota;
• At least 7 years' experience as a practicing attorney in an area of law related to the position that includes experience managing litigation; and
• At least three (3) years' recent experience as a supervisor or providing lead work in an area of law related to the position.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

• Experience providing strategic legal advice and counsel to executives and management on a wide range of complex legal matters and policy requirements, such as compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations and legal developments.
• Excellent communication skills and written work product to provide legal advice on varied legal issues.
• Strong knowledge of Minnesota state government processes, including legislative process.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act to analyze data, determine classification of data and provide protection of not public data.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills sufficient to analyze a variety of complex legal and data practices issues, identify areas of research, conduct research and evaluate alternatives, make sound decisions and provide legal advice to executives and management on these issues.
• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills to thoroughly research and analyze facts and legal issues.
• Experience working with programs that serve diverse communities.
• Experience working in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion and antiracism in professional settings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated legal interest in issues facing children, youth, and families.
• Experience as an attorney within Minnesota state government agencies involved in Department of Children, Youth, and Families or another public sector employer.
• Professional level experience interpreting, analyzing, researching and advising all levels of management on complex legal and policy requirements, in one or more of the following areas: data privacy and security, administrative law, contract law, grantmaking, or labor and employment law.
• Experience drafting legislation.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts.
• Experience drafting administrative rules or administrative procedures.
• Experience establishing an in-house legal department.
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

Application Details How to Apply

Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at or email For additional information about the application process, go to

If you have questions about the position, contact Colleen Siegel at .

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Colleen Siegel at

Why Work for Us Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency's mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at or email and indicate what assistance is needed.