"Alerted.org

Working Title: Legal Operations Director

Job Class: State Program Administrator Manager, Senior

Agency: Department of Children Youth & Families

+ **Job ID** : 86230

+ **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** : 05/16/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 06/05/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Children Youth & Families Dept / DCYF Central Office

+ **Division/Unit** : DCYF / General Counsel Division

+ **Work Shift:** Day Shift

+ **Work Hours** : 8:00am - 4:30pm

+ **Days of Work** : Monday - Friday

+ **Travel Required** : No

+ **Salary Range:** $43.38 - $62.41 / hourly; $90,577 - $130,312 / 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._

_In the 2023 legislative session, the Governor’s Office, Minnesota legislature, and leaders for children and families worked in partnership to pass legislation establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to create a sustainable, public face for children’s issues in state government. This new cabinet-level agency brings together programs centered on children and families, including child care and early learning, child support, child safety and permanency, economic support and food assistance, and youth opportunity. The new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Agency became effective on July 1, 2024._

_***_ Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) _(Within Minnesota or neighboring states only; telework is not allowed in other states) and flexible hours options are available._ _Employees that live 50 miles or more from their permanent/principal work location_ **_and_** _live within the State or a county bordering the State may telework more than 50% with approval.*_ _**_

_The Legal Operations Director will provide strategic leadership, direction, and implementation for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) – General Counsel’s Office (GCO) by building engagement strategies and processes at an agencywide level and develop partnership initiatives to facilitate effective and efficient delivery of legal services to DCYF and the public as it engages with DCYF._ _This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing strategies, processes, and systems to ensure that the agency effectively engages and partners with diverse stakeholders (internally and externally), minimizes agency risk, and aligns work of the Office with DCYF’s mission and engagement goals._

_The Director will play a key role in equipping DCYF staff 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, with a strong understanding of human services regulations and administrative hearing processes._

+ _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._

+ _Experience in collaborating with government officials, courts, executive leadership, and community organizations to facilitate legal processes._

+ _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

Preferred Qualifications

+ A Juris Doctor (JD) or master’s degree in law, public administration, or a related field.

+ Prior 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

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DCYF will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a 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 [email protected] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.