Working Title: Paid Leave Judge
Job Class: Compensation Attorney
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development
Job ID : 97307
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes, may be eligible for some telework
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Limited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 09/26/2026
Closing Date : 11/09/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Employment and Economic Development / MAPE
Division/Unit : Paid Family and Medical Leave
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 7:30am - 4:00pm
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $35.30 - $52.35 / hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 / annually
Classified Status : Unclassified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees / MAPE
End Date : Up to three (3) years
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : No
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.
About the Paid Leave Division:
The Paid Leave program launched on January 1, 2026. The program provides partial wage replacement to Minnesota workers who are out of work due to a qualifying condition, such as a severe health condition that prevents them from working, or when they need time to care for a family member or a new child. We are building and implementing a program that will be easy for every Minnesotan to use. The Paid Leave team has high standards and an unrelenting commitment to serving Minnesotans. It is a start-up environment without legacy systems or preconceived ways of working, so we have a unique opportunity to create human-centric processes and systems to deliver this new benefit to Minnesotans.
Position Purpose:
This posting will be used to fill multiple positions for compensation attorneys to act as Paid Leave Judges. Paid Leave Judges will hold critical roles in our organization. Paid Leave Judges hold de novo, due process evidentiary hearings for Paid Leave applicants and employers and deliver timely decisions that include making findings of fact and reasons for decision. Most importantly, you will ensure participants in the program receive a fair hearing experience. Paid Leave Judges also support Paid Leave's appellate work before the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Minnesota Supreme Court, as well as perform case intake and analysis.
As the first judges in the Paid Leave program, your decisions will be matters of first impression that are the final agency decision which is appealable to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. This is an exciting opportunity to join a legal team making a difference for Minnesotans!
Reporting to the Paid Leave Appeals Manager, you're key to the overall success of our division.
Key Responsibilities:
Holding Hearings: Preside over and conduct de novo single and multi-party party Paid Leave administrative evidentiary hearings, under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 268B.
Writing Decisions: Writing cogent, legally correct decisions announcing findings of fact, reasons for decision, and decision.
Reconsideration Requests: Ruling on requests for reconsideration which become the final agency decisions that may be appealed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
Timely Execution of Duties: Must hold multiple hearings in a day, and issue written decisions according to expectations. This is a position requiring efficiency and expeditiousness.
Intake Appeals: Review newly filed appeals, properly set up the case file, and determine necessary procedure for each case.
Start-up Spirit: We're a start-up within state government; you are excited to play a key role in continuing to develop the organization, processes, and systems required to deliver the appeals capabilities for Paid Leave.
This is a temporary unclassified appointment anticipated to last up to three (3) years.
This position will be open on a continuous basis until posted end date or until all positions are filled. Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis until the posting is closed.
This position is telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.
Minimum Qualifications
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. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.
Graduate of an accredited law school and have a current active law license in good standing in the State of Minnesota
Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:
Ability to manage a hearing including asking probing questions to develop a record necessary to make findings of fact, ruling on objections, and working with a wide range of individuals including pro se parties and attorneys.
Experience performing legal research and using that research to conduct complex statutory analysis, including interpreting statutes, rules, and case law, and applying them to factual records.
Ability to draft and issue legal decisions, motions, appellate briefs, and other documents in clear, well-reasoned plain language within time requirements.
Ability to receive and apply feedback, embrace constructive direction from managers, adapt to changing program needs, and work collaboratively and flexibly in a start-up dedicated to a culture of excellence and and ongoing improvement
Ability to maintain a judicial temperament (e.g., impartiality, curiosity, open-mindedness, patience, decisiveness) and demonstrate the integrity, judgment, and ethical conduct required of those exercising decision-making in roles of public trust.
Ability to learn and use a case management system and other technological tools and applications, including the Microsoft Office Suite, Webex, Westlaw, and similar platforms.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience as an administrative law judge, hearing officer, advocate, mediator, or qualified neutral.
Experience clerking for a district court or appellate judge
Experience working in customer service roles-such as in hospitality, retail, or other public-facing environments-that foster interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to effectively understand and respond to diverse needs and concerns.
Experience with Unemployment Insurance Law, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Ace (ADA), Workers' Compensation, Social Security Disability, Human Services, or other related health care laws and regulations.
Appellate court work experience, including drafting briefs, responding to motions, and participating in oral arguments.
Fluency in another language, especially Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Khmer, Russian, Lao, Vietnamese, or Karen.
Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:
Criminal Background Check
Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
Employment Reference Check
Conflict of Interest Review
Driver's License and Records Check
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
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.
