Working Title: Associate General Counsel

Job Class: Staff Attorney 2

Agency: Human Services Dept

• Job ID : 81014

• Location : Statewide

• Telework Eligible : Yes - This position is currently Teleworking (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) with occasional in-person meetings required

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/12/2024

• Closing Date : 11/01/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Human Services / MAPE DHS Central Office

• Division/Unit : Direct Care and Treatment / Gen Cnsl Ofc DCT

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 10% for required in-person meetings

• Salary Range: $37.98 - $56.50 / hourly; $79,302 - $117,972 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment.

Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) is seeking an individual to join our DCT General Counsel’s Office for an exciting and rewarding opportunity as our Associate General Counsel! This position will provide legal expertise to DCT. The incumbent will conduct legal and policy research, perform analysis on diverse and complex matters, provide legal advice, and produce written products for a variety of audiences and purposes related to rulemaking, Executive Board and CEO’s Delegations of Authority, litigation monitoring, Jensen-related matters, the Minnesota Olmstead Plan, and general compliance duties to include board governance.

As the agency lead attorney in rulemaking, this position regularly provides legal support and advice to DCT leadership, Senior Management, the GCO, and program staff, and legal training across all agency divisions of DCT on rulemaking and related topics. The individual in this position routinely advises on the development and implementation of DCT policies and best practices that have far-reaching implications. This work often involves conducting complex legal and policy research as well as assisting with complex litigation on behalf of the DCT, so as to provide sophisticated advice on a variety of legal issues that are complex, novel, and/or require understanding of how multiple areas of law and policy interact, including compliance with state and federal law and regulations. The individual in this position will need certain delegated authority to make decisions and execute documents related to certain types of rulemaking.

The incumbent will also be responsible for providing legal counsel to or regarding the DCT-executive board to confirm compliance and to minimize legal risk. The incumbent will also be responsible to perform general functions of the General Counsel’s Office, as needed.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Direct, coordinate, and oversee agency-wide rule-related activities and obligations.

• Serve as the expert project manager on rulemaking projects by advising and directing agency staff and management, including Senior Leadership, through the rule’s promulgation process.

• Coordinate the ongoing evaluation of administrative rules governing programs administered by the Department.

• Evaluate risk and determine areas of greatest need for revision. With program staff and rulemaking staff, including leadership, evaluate and advise on alternative rulemaking options.

• Lead the DCT’s Delegations of Authority function so that all delegations as proposed by program areas across the DCT are executed in a timely manner and are legally accurate.

• Assist with litigation and provide legal counsel on diverse and complex legal and compliance issues related to DCT.

• Work with DCT leaders and staff to develop and maintain policies and procedures to support agency compliance and to minimize legal risk to the Agency.

• Perform duties to provide legal support to the DCT Executive Board and DCT executive leadership.

• As a member of the General Counsel’s Office, perform additional duties necessary to promote the achievement of Office-wide responsibilities and goals.

Minimum Qualifications

JD degree from an ABA accredited law school;

Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota;

Three (3) years of legal experience in, data privacy, rulemaking, board governance, creating or developing a delegation of authority within an agency or organization, or administrative law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or State government agencies.

• Experience in litigation practices and techniques, assessment of legal risk, knowledge of negotiation and settlement strategies and techniques, and legal considerations related to settling or compromising lawsuits and claims.

• Experience with the Minnesota legislative process.

• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.

• Experience providing legal advice to senior management or executives.

• Experience handling issues related to state and federal laws as they relate to DCT.

• Possess knowledge of state and federal law, rules, and regulations relating to the Minnesota Commitment and Treatment Act, the Minnesota Uniform Probate Code (specifically the Minnesota Guardianship Act), the Minnesota Health Records Act, the Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act, the Minnesota Maltreatment of Minors Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

• 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

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

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS - The Department of Human Services will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made 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 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.