Working Title: Contracts Attorney
Job Class: Staff Attorney 2
Agency: Human Services Dept
Job ID : 94724
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 : 06/05/2026
Closing Date : 06/18/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
Division/Unit : Department of Human Services (DHS) / Compliance Legal Functions
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $38.55 - $57.35 / hourly; $80,492 - $119,746 / 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.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS does not participate in E-Verify.
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.
**This position is eligible for telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.
The Contracts Staff Attorney 2 provides professional high level legal expertise, analysis, advisement, and leadership relating to complex and novel contract development, review, contract performance and related issues for assigned Department of Human Services (DHS) divisions' program staff, management, and leadership. Also, represents Contracts and Legal Compliance Division (CLC) and provides guidance to the agency on special agency-wide projects, advisory group, process improvement initiatives alongside the DHS Office of Continuous Improvement, and other projects as they arise.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
The Contracts Staff Attorney 2 counsels contracts/grants staff, managers, and executive leadership in the assigned DHS business area(s) on issues related to contract law, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Develops and provides related training to department staff and managers.
Mentors and provides leadership to junior attorneys as needed.
Provides leadership and subject matter expertise for CLC and acts as a resource in complex/evolving areas of law.
Maintains a deep knowledge and is subject matter expert of the statutory requirements, federal regulations, policies, and other requirements that impact contracts and grants at the department.
Serves as one of the department's subject matter experts on data practices, including but not limited to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws and regulations codified at 45 C.F.R. Parts 160, 162, and 164 ("HIPAA") and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (Minn. Stat. Chapter 13) and provides legal advice to programs and leadership to CLC staff related to data privacy in contracting issues involving the:
Minnesota Health Records Act (Minn. Stat. §§ 144.291 - 144.298);
Confidentiality of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Patient Records (42 U.S.C. § 290dd-2 and 42 C.F.R. §§ 2.1 - 2.67);
Tax Information Security Guidelines for Federal, State and Local Agencies (26 U.S.C. § 6103 and Publication 1075);
U.S. Privacy Act of 1974;
Computer Matching Requirements (5 U.S.C. § 552a);
Social Security Data Disclosure (section 1106 of the Social Security Act);
Disclosure of Information to Federal, State and Local Agencies (DIFSLA Handbook Publication 3373);
Final Exchange Privacy Rule of the Affordable Care Act (45 C.F.R. § 155.260).
Serves as a subject matter expert and maintains a deep knowledge of the statutory requirements, federal regulations, policies, and other requirements that impact contracts and grants at the Department.
Minimum Qualifications
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.
Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an ABA accredited law school;
Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota;
At least three (3) years' experience as a practicing attorney in contract-related law,including work with complex service, technology, data-sharing, and/or human-services-related agreements in a regulated environment.
Experience must demonstrate the following:
Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills, including the ability to interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations, and policy frameworks relevant to contracting;
Building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external partners;
Providing legal advice on diverse and complex human services and data privacy matters,including the application of federal and state privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA or comparable frameworks); and
Experience in one or more areas of law related to contract law, such as health-care contracting, data-sharing and privacy, information technology, intellectual property, procurement, or other regulated-program contracting.
Preferred Qualifications
Working knowledge of human services programs, including the laws and regulations governing these programs and the local, state, and federal @contexts in which they operate and are funded.
Ensure that all statutory and regulatory requirements have been satisfactorily complied with and that all reviewed contracts contain legally enforceable standards for the quantity and quality of goods and services being purchased and for the contracts' measurables, deliverables and outcomes.
Provide leadership and legal direction to assist agency programs in complying with federal law, Departmental policy and procedures in order to ensure initiatives are developed consistent with those requirements.
Develop contract strategies to improve performance, accountability, and compliance with state and federal laws, regulations and policies.
Develop and provide training on state contract processing and legal issues for new and junior Attorneys and program staff.
Writing skills that make clear, concise recommended statements that are easily understood by all parties.
Working knowledge of information technology (IT) and intellectual property (IP) issues related to contracts, sufficient that s/he can analyze and resolve complex questions of law related to IT contracts and contracts with IP components.
Provide leadership and guidance to junior Attorneys.
Strong communication skills and maintain working relationships with a range of personnel.
Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
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.
