Working Title: Senior Associate General Counsel
Job Class: Staff Attorney 3
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
Job ID : 96092
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes*, up to 50%
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 08/16/2026. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent, non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position posted.
Date Posted : 08/11/2026
Closing Date : 08/25/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : DCYF / MAPE
Division/Unit : DCYF / OIG Legal Unit 1
Work Shift :Day Shift
Work Hours : 8 :00 AM- 4:30 PM
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No*
Salary Range: $43.69 - $64.80 / hourly; $91,224 - $135,302 / 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 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.
Research and provide legal advice and strategies to assigned business units of the Department's Regulatory and Enforcement programs, Department staff, regulated providers and programs, and the general public regarding application of statutes and rules under DCYF's jurisdiction. Assigned business units for this incumbent include regulatory and enforcement units overseeing childcare centers.
Responsibilities include:
Provide legal research and advice on applicability and interpretation of all aspects of regulation related to childcare centers ("assigned business units"). Legal research and advice require a deep understanding of all relevant state and federal laws to discern applicability and parameters of acceptable legal interpretations that satisfy both state and federal requirements. Applicable laws include but are not limited to state laws for licensing, background studies, and program integrity, and federal laws, guidance, and related state plans that inform interpretation of state laws. Applicable federal laws include but are not limited to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).
Provide legal analysis and legal advice with respect to the application of state and federal statutes, rules, and case law to fact situations under review or investigation by assigned business units.
Conduct legal analysis and provide legal advice and practical assistance to Department policy staff and General Counsel's Office in development of grant and other programs to assure inclusion of program integrity aspects that are enforceable by Department staff in incumbent's assigned business units.
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 for assigned business units.
Serve as the Minnesota Government Data Practices designee for assigned business units.
Provide legal analysis, legal advice, and practical assistance to assigned business units within the Department with regard to all aspects of rulemaking.
To be deliberate in fostering positive interpersonal relationships with coworkers, managers, and customers so all are treated in a respectful, professional, and humane manner.
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, 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;
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.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders including government entities, advocacy groups and the public.
Experience with Minnesota Government Data Practices Act or equivalent state or federal privacy laws
Litigation experience, which may include direct litigation experience, judicial clerking, and case adjudication as a criminal, civil, or administrative law judge.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to integrate complex non-legal factors to develop legal advice and strategies in high profile matters.
Demonstrated strong emotional intelligence and strategic leadership, change management.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a large and varied constituency, including legislators and legislative staff, the Attorney General's Office, state local and federal agencies, professional and advocacy groups, as well as the general public and Identify common ground for parties with varied interests and build consensus toward solutions.
Demonstrated ability to maintain composure and convey competency, equanimity, and collaboration in stressful situations.
Analytical skills to assimilate information and apply it in strategic, decision-making processes.
Facilitate conflict resolution and ensure competing interests are appropriately balanced.
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.
