Working Title: Staff Attorney
Job Class: Staff Attorney 2
Agency: Climate Innovation Finance Authority
Job ID : 88507
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 09/02/2025
Closing Date : 09/22/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Climate Innovation Finance Authority / Climate Innovation Finance Authority-MAPE
Division/Unit : Climate Innovation Finance Authority / Admin Services
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 10% of the time; mostly in the metro area
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.
MnCIFA is hiring! MnCIFA is a mission-driven "Green Bank" focused on impact investing with the paramount goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We are a new State Agency with the vibe of an entrepreneurial start-up.
We offer a hybrid work environment with 3 days per week in office and 2 days of telework. Telework can be outside of the state of Minnesota if the candidate lives in a state bordering Minnesota and lives 50 miles or less from the primary work location. Our office is located in the Golden Rule Building in downtown St. Paul.
As Staff Attorney, you will provide MnCIFA with legal expertise in real estate and general business transactions, contract negotiations, data practices, and state and federal grants regulatory compliance. The Staff Attorney supports the Board and Staff and works with other MnCIFA legal counsel, including Assistant Attorneys General and outside counsel that support MnCIFA on specific subject matters. Responsibilities include:
Project finance, real estate and business transactions law including drafting loan documents, purchase and sales agreements and mortgages, managing due diligence and mitigating risks associated with projects.
Contract negotiations and contract law including drafting requests for proposal, professional/technical contracts and grants, data sharing agreements, and other legally binding agreements and ensuring they are in compliance with laws and regulations.
Grant implementation/compliance and federal regulations compliance including providing legal advice to MnCIFA regarding grantmaking programs, determining compliance and reviewing documentation for legal sufficiency.
Data Practices Law including reviewing and providing MnCIFA with legal advice regarding data practices requests.
Minimum Qualifications
Three (3) years of legal experience as a practicing attorney in either grant compliance and federal regulations compliance law, contract law, or in project finance/real estate and business transactions law. Experience must demonstrate the following:
Demonstrated legal research, analysis, and writing skills to ensure that the agency is receiving high-quality legal advice, particularly when there are complicated issues and gray areas in the law that require significant and in-depth analysis to effectively evaluate risk.
Experience providing legal advice on diverse and complex human services and data privacy matters.
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Current license and in good standing to practice law in the state of Minnesota is required prior to appointment.
Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following:
Familiarity with Minnesota's utility regulatory structure, including for electric, natural gas, water and other utilities, and integration with and interconnection by greenhouse gas reduction projects.
Familiarity with contract law, and the mechanics of project financing, lending agreements, mortgages and security instruments.
Familiarity with administrative and federal and state data practice laws.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in multiple areas of law related to the position.
Thorough understanding of federal and state tax credits and other incentives for clean energy investment.
Commercial or community bank lending experience.
Familiarity with clean energy project finance and documentation.
Experience or demonstrated interest in environmental sustainability, environmental justice, climate action, and/or economic development.
Physical Requirements
Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.
Additional Requirements
Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license 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.
