Working Title: Senior Attorney
Job Class: Staff Attorney 2
Agency: Human Services Dept
Job ID : 96536
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 : 08/21/2026
Closing Date : 09/08/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
Division/Unit : Department of Human Services (DHS) / Office of Inspector General (OIG)-OLC BGS Staff Attorneys
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $39.22 - $58.35 / hourly; $81,891 - $121,834 / 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 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.
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.
**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.
This position works in the Office of Inspector General Legal Counsel's Office and supports the Background Studies Division. As a Background Studies Attorney, the incumbent is recognized as a subject matter expert in state and federal laws affecting background studies under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 245C and related compliance laws and policies.
Responsibilities include but not limited to:
Analyzing law enforcement, maltreatment investigation, and court records to determine whether they impact a background study subject's eligibility, and writing legal memoranda explaining the reasons for the findings
Providing legal advice on the administration of state and federal laws and policies governing background studies under Chapter 245C
Analyzing dispositions and sentences in criminal cases from other state and federal jurisdictions and translating them into comparable Minnesota criminal case information
Issuing decisions on reconsiderations under delegated authority from the Commissioner of Human Services and testifying on behalf of the Department of Human Services (DHS) at administrative appeal hearings
Analyzing expungement petitions and orders
Working with the Attorney General's Office on litigation and appeals related to background studies and expungements
Acting as liaison between Background Studies and other divisions of DHS, the Attorney General's Office, counties, and attorneys
Drafting and editing contracts involving the Background Studies Division
Managing and responding to data requests made by background study subjects, third parties, the media, and the legislature
Drafting and advising on proposed legislation affecting the Background Studies Division
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.
JD degree from an ABA accredited law school;
Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota with no record of suspension or disbarment;
At least three (3) years' experience as a practicing attorney in an area of Minnesota criminal law.
Experience must demonstrate the following:
Working on criminal cases in Minnesota District Court;
Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills;
Builds and maintains good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
Provides legal advice on issues to senior management or executives.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, or judicial law clerk
Successfully managing high volumes of work with competing priorities
Experience litigating administrative law matters, which may include venues such as the Office of Administrative Hearings or Fair Hearings under Minnesota Statutes section 256.045
Experience or interest in drafting contracts
Experience drafting statutes and familiarity with the legislative process
Knowledge or experience with plain language communication of complex regulatory and statutory matters
Experience working for a government agency/organization
Experience working effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures
Additional Requirements
This position requires successful completion of the following:
It is the policy of the Department of Human Services that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, including the following components:
Criminal background check
Reference check
Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
Complete the Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Awareness training within 3-business days from the start of employment; and successfully obtain/retain CJIS certification annually.
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.
