Working Title: General Counsel
Job Class: General Counsel 1
Agency: Teachers Retirement Association
Job ID : 88988
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 : 09/17/2025
Closing Date : 10/16/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Teachers Retirement Assoc / TRA-Managerial
Division/Unit : TRA Legal and Legislative
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes - Up to 10%
Salary Range: $50.25 - $71.95 / hourly; $104,922 - $150,231 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep
FLSA Status : Exempt - Executive
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.
Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been providing pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking job candidates with a strong background in litigation, compliance, and/or legal and regulatory affairs to serve as TRA's General Counsel.
Our General Counsel position exists to provide legal advice and counsel, legal direction, and supervision of all TRA's legal activities. The incumbent will serve as the agency's Chief Legal Advisor, and will be responsible for providing legal consultation/guidance to the TRA's Executive Director and staff on interpretation of federal and state laws, tax regulations, published guidance governing qualified retirement plans, employment law, and other legal and regulatory matters. This role will also act as the liaison between TRA, the Office of the Attorney General, and any other outside legal counsel regarding a variety of legal proceedings.
This position is located in our Saint Paul, Minnesota office, and will require the incumbent to work a schedule that includes in-person work. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role.
Minimum Qualifications
A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school;
Active license in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements; and
Five (5) years of experience practicing law in one or more areas: Administrative; Tax; Retirement/Pension; Compliance; Employment; Corporate; Securities; and/or other relevant legal fields.
Professional experience must further demonstrate:
Evidence of providing legal advice and representation to an organization on a variety of legal and regulatory matters.
Evidence of dispute resolution such as litigation, administrative hearings, and/or formal legal proceedings.
Evidence of guiding an organization on legal compliance (e.g., statutory and regulatory administrative policies).
Evidence in successfully managing competing priorities, strategic planning initiatives, and enterprise process improvement project(s) with major organizational impact.
Proven strategic leadership ability and interpersonal skills to build collaborative relationships; influence decision-making; effectively motivate and manage a diverse team; and champion a work culture that advocates for inclusion.
Excellent research, analysis, communication (written/oral), and presentation skills to articulate complex legal topics to diverse audiences.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook; Cisco WebEx; or equivalent software packages.
Successful candidates must also possess the ability to secure their transportation for in-state business travel and/or conferences. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with the Minnesota Data Practices Act or similar privacy law(s).
Experience handling issues related to state and federal laws as they relate to tax qualified governmental retirement plans.
Experience working with state and federal employment laws.
Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or State government agencies on legal and regulatory matters.
Experience supporting or advising leadership bodies or board members.
Experience successfully managing a budget.
Physical Requirements
This position requires occasional transporting of articles such as file folders, ledgers and/or small tools. May be required to move or maintain a stationary position for long periods of time.
Additional Requirements
Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and a criminal background check.
It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)
Criminal History Check
Employment Reference Check
Social Security and Address Verification
Education Verification
Driver's License Check
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.
