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Working Title: Senior Associate General Counsel

Job Class: Staff Attorney 3

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

+ **Job ID** : 90018

+ **Location** : St. Paul

+ **Telework Eligible** : Yes; up to 40%

+ **Full/Part Time** : Full-Time

+ **Regular/Temporary** : Unlimited

+ **Who May Apply** : Open to all qualified job seekers

+ **Date Posted** : 11/04/2025

+ **Closing Date** : 11/24/2025

+ **Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit** : Department of Natural Resources

+ **Division/Unit** : Commissioner's Office / DNR General Counsel

+ **Work Shift/Work Hours** : Day Shift

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

+ **Travel Required** : No

+ **Salary Range:** $42.94 - $63.69 / hourly; $89,658 - $132,984 / annually

+ **Classified Status** : Classified

+ **Bargaining Unit/Union** : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Employee/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 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.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Staff Attorney 3 to join its Office of General Counsel, which includes the General Counsel and two other attorneys. This position plays a critical role in addressing some of the most complex areas of law in the State.

As part of the General Counsel team, this attorney will handle a broad range of legal topics related to natural resource law, which may include mining, water, forestry, fish and wildlife, parks and trails, public lands management, and the intersections among these areas. Work may also encompass environmental review and administrative law, such as data practices, rulemaking, and contracting.

The individual in this position will conduct legal and policy research, perform analysis on diverse and complex matters, provide legal advice, and produce written materials for a variety of audiences and purposes. As the agency’s lead attorney in assigned practice areas and primary legal advisor for assigned divisions, this position regularly provides direct guidance to agency leadership and handles legal issues that are complex, novel, and interdisciplinary.

Collaboration is essential—this attorney will work closely with scientific and technical staff and coordinate litigation in assigned areas with the Office of the Attorney General.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide legal analysis and advice on the application of Minnesota statutes, rules, and common law to fact situations, policy proposals, and hypothetical questions to ensure consistent and lawful decision-making across the DNR.

2. Advise the Department and Senior Leadership on additional legal matters outside assigned areas of responsibility, as requested by the General Counsel.

3. Collaborate as part of a small, dedicated team of attorneys.

4. Direct, mentor, and advise less experienced attorneys, as requested by the General Counsel.

This position requires in-person work at least three full days per week at the DNR Central Office in St. Paul, Minnesota. Part-time telework may be approved at the discretion of the agency and is subject to change. If approved, the employee must complete a telework agreement

Minimum Qualifications

+ A J.D. degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school;

+ A current license to practice law in the State of Minnesota, or eligibility to obtain Minnesota licensure prior to the start date if licensed in another state; and

+ Four years of advanced professional experience that demonstrate the areas below:

+ Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills.

+ Demonstrated strong communication skills related to legal advice and assistance.

+ Ability to understand, interpret, and explain laws, rules, and regulations.

+ Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with individuals in a variety of positions to identify issues and resolve problems.

+ Experience in legal research, writing, and constructing a legal argument.

+ Experience interpreting federal or state laws and regulations.

+ Experience providing legal advice to senior leadership.

+ Working knowledge of administrative law and natural resource or environmental laws or tribal laws.

+ Experience in drafting legal documents.

+ Experience litigating in federal, state, or administrative forums or managing litigation.

+ Ability to effectively communicate with multicultural communities.

+ Ability to research and incorporate perspectives from different cultural and community stakeholder groups in the development of policy.

+ Awareness of various cultural norms, sufficient to adapt tactics and expectations to balance legal and program requirements with cultural norms.

+ Ability to treat employees inclusively in the areas of accommodation, accessibility, scheduling, expectations, individualized resource needs, training, and development.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Law review, moot court, or judicial clerkship.

+ Familiarity with permitting and/or enforcement.

+ Experience working with technical or natural resource experts.

+ Experience with state governance requirements.

+ Experience developing and conducting technical training on legal matters.

+ Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or Minnesota state government agencies.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record; per DNR Fleet Policy, only those 18 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license may operate equipment and vehicles on behalf of the Agency.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

+ Conflict of Interest Review

+ Criminal History Check

+ Education Verification

+ Employment Reference / Records Check

+ License / Certification Verification

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.