Working Title: Legal Operations Director
Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager Senior
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 94645
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 : 06/04/2026
Closing Date : 06/24/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : DCYF / DeptChildYth&Fam-Managerial
Division/Unit : DCYF - Central Office / General Counsel Division
Work Shift: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $44.03 - $63.35 / hourly; $91,934 - $132,274 / annually
Effective July 1, 2026 : $44.80 - $64.96 / hourly; $93,542 - 134,592 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 220 - Manager/Unrep
FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.
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.
*** Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.
The Legal Operations Director is a position of service - service to the General Counsel Team, service to Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) staff, and service to the communities that DCYF serves.
To that end, the Legal Operations Director will provide strategic leadership and direction to support and grow the infrastructure of the DCYF General Counsel's Office (GCO). The DCYF GCO is a rapidly growing team that is developing a unique style of providing legal services throughout the agency to better meet DCYF's mission of serving children, youth, and families throughout Minnesota. To support that service, DCYF GCO needs a visionary leader to 1) stabilize our current infrastructure, 2) curate a service-oriented team to support the GCO, 3) develop and implement interim processes and systems to support the GCO, and 4) identify and build future-state processes, systems, and engagement strategies.
The Director will play a key role in equipping DCYF's General Counsel Team with systems, tools, knowledge, and skills necessary to meet the agency's legal needs and obligations and support the agency in achieving service goals for the people of Minnesota. The position requires independent decision-making, program oversight, and a high level of responsibility for managing sensitive, high-impact initiates across divisions and external organizations.
Responsibilities include:
Develop and manage strategic legal systems, initiatives, and projects to improve agency practices and systems that ensure compliance with agency legal obligations and tracking. Connect and systematize efforts to support effective use of these initiatives.
Actively develop effective relationships with staff, leadership, partners, and legal stakeholders.
Evaluate GCO performance through development of metrics and assessment methods to identify functional efficiency, key areas for improvement efforts, and proactively identify areas of potential deficiencies.
Direct and oversee GCO non-attorney functions and staff.
Maintain current knowledge of statutes, regulations, and policies governing DCYF GCO work.Oversee DCYF's interactions with the appellate courts, district courts, the Office of Administrative Hearings, and the DHS Appeals Division and related systems access.
Minimum Qualifications
Five (5) years of specialized professional work experience in legal operations, compliance, or public sector law.
Experience must demonstrate the following:
Expertise in navigating legal databases, managing compliance documentation, and utilizing tools such as SharePoint, SSIS, Microsoft Office, and AgileApps or similar program to support legal functions.
Proven ability to assess complex legal issues, develop solutions, and exercise sound judgment to align legal strategies with agency objectives.
AND
Demonstrated leadership* experience
*Leadership experience can include:
Experience as a supervisor, leadworker, team lead, project lead:
Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4);
A paid/unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee (e.g. ERG) - experience must include:
1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions
100+ hours per year time commitment
Applicants who meet the above experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following during the interview process:
Ability to effectively articulate complex technology solutions to non-technical people.
Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently in writing.
Ability to demonstrate service-oriented approach to achieving the objectives for this position.
Preferred Qualifications
A Juris Doctor (JD) or master's degree in law, public administration, or a related field.
Experience working with state agencies, legislative processes, or public sector legal compliance.
Expertise in human services law, administrative hearings, civil rights enforcement, or regulatory compliance.
Advanced proficiency in legal software, case management tools, and data privacy systems such as AgileApps, FileNet, Everlaw and SharePoint.
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)
Driver's License Check
Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
Additional assessment may be required during the interview process
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.
