JOB SUMMARY

* Telework Within Minnesota and flexible hours options are available. Employees that live 50 miles or less from their primary/principal work location and live within the State may telework more than 50% with approval. Employees may telework outside the state of Minnesota if they live in a state bordering Minnesota and live 50 miles or less from the primary/principal work location.*
The DCYF General Counsel’s Office is expanding and hiring a senior advising attorney, which will be classified at the Staff Attorney 3 level. This position will support the work of the Economic Opportunity and Youth Services administration. Economic Opportunity and Youth Services administers emergency food programs, food shelf programs, community action programs, and other anti-poverty programs. In addition, this Administration supports the work of Minnesota’s Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee, supports delinquency prevention initiatives and alternatives, and administers funding for youth intervention programs through its Youth Services Office. The Office of Restorative Practices supports the work of the Restorative Practices programs statewide through training, funding, and other resources.
This position will provide legal expertise in the substantive work of the Economic Opportunity and Youth Services administration and will become the primary contact for the administration’s legal needs.
This position will research and provide legal advice and strategies to the Economic Opportunity and Youth Services administration, as well as oversee litigation arising from the administration’s work. The overarching goal of this position is to ensure that programs are developed and administered consistent with applicable state and federal law and to ensure that creative legal solutions are explored to support each administration’s role in advancing DCYF’s mission, vision, and values in our everchanging legal landscape.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide legal research and advice on applicability and interpretation of all aspects of state and federal law relevant to the administration’s programs.
• Provide legal analysis and legal advice with respect to the application of state and federal statutes, rules, and case law to fact situations.
• Conduct legal analysis and provide legal advice and practical assistance to staff and General Counsel’s Office to develop grant programs that include program integrity aspects that are enforceable by Department program integrity staff including the Department’s Compliance Office and Office of Inspector General.
• Advise, negotiate, and draft professional and technical contracts, master contracts, work order contracts, annual plans, amendments to contracts, requests for proposals, interagency agreements, and joint powers agreements (collectively herein, “contracts”) as needed.
• Serve as the Minnesota Government Data Practices designee.
• Provide legal analysis, legal advice, and practical assistance to all aspects of rulemaking.

*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;
• One (1) year of experience in a leadership role;
• One (1) year of experience with data privacy and security;
• Five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney (up to one year of which may be as a judicial clerk). Experience must demonstrate the following:
• Experience developing legal strategies and providing legal advice to executive level leadership.
• Experience with the legislative process and federal and state laws.
• Litigation experience, which may include direct litigation experience, judicial clerking, and case adjudication as a criminal, civil, or administrative law judge.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of any of the Economic Opportunity and Youth Services administration’s programs, including but not limited to community action programs, TEFAP, MN Food Shelf Program, youth work and reform, restorative practices, or the underlying federal and state laws for the administration’s programs.
• Experience working in a county/community/tribal social service agency.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders including government entities, advocacy groups and the public.
• Ability to adapt to new situations and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:

• Reference check
• Criminal Background check
• Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need

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.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide legal research and advice on applicability and interpretation of all aspects of state and federal law relevant to the administration’s programs.
• Provide legal analysis and legal advice with respect to the application of state and federal statutes, rules, and case law to fact situations.
• Conduct legal analysis and provide legal advice and practical assistance to staff and General Counsel’s Office to develop grant programs that include program integrity aspects that are enforceable by Department program integrity staff including the Department’s Compliance Office and Office of Inspector General.
• Advise, negotiate, and draft professional and technical contracts, master contracts, work order contracts, annual plans, amendments to contracts, requests for proposals, interagency agreements, and joint powers agreements (collectively herein, “contracts”) as needed.
• Serve as the Minnesota Government Data Practices designee.
• Provide legal analysis, legal advice, and practical assistance to all aspects of rulemaking