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Working Title: Senior Attorney

Job Class: Staff Attorney 2

Agency: Department of Children, Youth, & Families

+ **Job ID** : 89449

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes

+ **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 10/15/2025. _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** : 10/09/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 10/29/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : DCYF / DCYF Central Office MAPE

+ **Division/Unit** : DCYF Central Office / OIG Legal Unit 2

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

+ **Work Hours** : Day Shift

+ **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 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 and flexible hours options are available. Employees that live 50 miles or less from their primary/principal work location and live within the State may telework more than 50% with approval. *** Employees may telework outside the state of Minnesota if they live in a state bordering Minnesota and live 50 miles or less from the primary/principal work location. See policy for additional information.

The Licensing Legal Team attorney remains part of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Legal Counsel’s Office supporting the Licensing Division. This position performs complex attorney functions relating to data practices and data management, the issuance of licensing actions, various administrative reconsiderations, administrative appeals, and litigation related to background studies, maltreatment, and licensing actions issued by the Licensing Division.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to the following:

+ Subject matter expert in the overall laws, rules, and policies relating to the Licensing Division functions and related due process and in a specialty area of law within the Licensing Division.

+ Independently handles complex litigation and advises Licensing Division management and staff, the Attorney General’s Office, county attorneys, and other agency staff on complex legal issues, with a high degree of judgment and skill based on their experience and subject matter knowledge.

+ Prepares memoranda, reconsideration decisions, and other legal documents relating to complex Licensing Division functions and related due process.

+ Handles data practices requests and related legal questions.

+ Good working knowledge of each OIG Division program to identify and raise potential cross-divisional impacts to the Chief Legal Counsel.

+ Operates with significant independence to act related to these areas and, with regard to their area of expertise, an obligation to keep leadership apprised of resources needs, legal trends, and significant legal developments, including identifying areas of risk that may affect the Licensing Division and other areas within OIG.

+ The position within the Children, Youth, and Families Team may also include the above responsibilities as they relate to the Child Care Audit and Investigations 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;

+ At least three (3) years’ experience as a practicing attorney (up to one year of which may be as a judicial clerk) in an area of law related to the position, including administrative law, criminal or juvenile delinquency law, child or vulnerable adult protection law, or related civil legal experience.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

+ Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills;

+ Building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;

+ Providing legal advice on diverse and complex human services and data privacy matters; and

+ Experience in one or more areas of law related to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Experience litigating cases in administrative, civil, or criminal courts or knowledge and technical experience in venues such as the Office of Administrative Hearings, state or federal district court, or Fair Hearings under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.045.

+ Knowledge and experience with data privacy law and regulation, including the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.

+ Reviews and summarizes case decisions from district court, administrative hearings, and appellate courts.

+ Experience consistently managing multiple complex projects at various stages of completion at one time.

+ Experience working for a government agency or organization.

+ Experience drafting or reviewing contracts.

+ 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)

+ Personnel File Review: current and former public sector employees.

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.