What are the responsibilities and job description for the INVESTIGATOR – CONSUMER PROTECTION position at Office of the Minnesota Attorney General?
JOB
Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicantsDate Posted: 1/17/2025Closing Date: 1/31/2025Legal Assistant 5 Salary Range: $25.14 - $37.60 / hourly; $52,492 - $78,508 / annuallyLegal Assistant 6 Salary Range: $28.26 - $41.43 / hourly; $59,006 - $86,505 / annuallyLegal Assistant 7 Salary Range: $31.61 - $47.69 / hourly; $66,001 - $99,576 / annuallyTelework Eligible: Yes Job SummaryThe Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who choose public service as a calling, and we are actively and intentionally committed to supporting an internal culture that affirms that calling. The Office is one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and as of 2024, has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota for four years in a row and Top Workplace USA for three years in a row. The Office is currently seeking a consumer protection investigator to join the Consumer Protection Division of the Office. As a consumer protection investigator, you will have the opportunity to work on important civil enforcement investigations and litigation that seek to protect some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable and underserved communities around the State. While the Office’s consumer protection work is for the benefit of all Minnesota consumers, much of the Office’s investigative work and enforcement actions are focused on unlawful business practices that target people of limited means, the elderly, students, children, and youth, as well as immigrant communities. In this position, you would be at the forefront of cutting-edge consumer protection investigations that have a direct, measurable impact on the lives of Minnesota consumers. As a consumer protection investigator, you will help to find and develop high-profile consumer protection cases involving various industries and subject areas such as health care, housing, automobile sales, consumer finance, debt collection and debt relief, social media and technology platforms, and door-to-door and contractor sales. Such investigations and cases include, for example: · Kia and Hyundai Vehicle Thefts (investigating Kia and Hyundai’s sale of vehicles to Minnesota consumers that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology);· State v. Brio Energy, et al. (deceptive door-to-door sales of residential solar panels);· Sale of Deceptive E-Cigarette Products (unlawful and deceptive sale of nicotine vaping products to youth);· State v. Minnesota School of Business and Globe University (misrepresenting job opportunities from criminal justice degree and charging illegal interest rates on private student loans) To be an effective consumer protection investigator, you will need to be a curious and motivated self-starter able to identify misconduct based on consumer reports and efficiently gather relevant information through research and witness interviews. You will work closely with consumer protection attorneys on developing and building cases before suit and preparing cases for trial during litigation. One of the most important skills is being able to competently handle multiple projects at once that may be in different stages of investigation/litigation or in different consumer protection areas. As part of your duties, you will need to interact with, understand, and build trust and rapport with consumers from across Minnesota, who may have diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures. As part of your job duties, you will be expected to establish and maintain relationships, conduct outreach, and provide public education to impacted communities, stakeholders, advocates, and grass roots leaders. If you are offered this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily investigative work while also collaborating with the Office’s consumer protection attorneys that oversee and participate in the investigations. You will be expected to manage your investigative caseload to ensure matters are moving expeditiously. In this position, you will also have the opportunity to receive ongoing training, professional development, and mentorship opportunities to support your professional growth. A successful candidate in this position must have strong interpersonal skills, be detail-oriented, creative, and a problem solver, have strong writing and analysis skills, have a strong initiative and work ethic, and enjoy working collaboratively with a fast-paced team. This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment. Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree; OR completion of formal paralegal or law enforcement coursework from an accredited program, which resulted in a program certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree; OR four years of demonstrable similar experienceStrong interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with persons from diverse backgrounds, languages, and culturesIntermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft ExcelFamiliarity with legal procedures, rules of evidence, and/or investigative proceduresDemonstrated skill in: research and writing;critical thinking;communication;organization To be considered at the LA6 level, candidates must have at least 6 years of directly related experience. To be considered at the LA7 level, candidates must have at least 12 years of directly related experience. Preferred QualificationsExperience or academic background in consumer protection related issuesKnowledge of state or federal consumer protection lawsPrior experience/knowledge with the Minnesota or federal civil court systemExperience: conducting criminal or civil investigationsconducting background checks and searching public recordsinterviewing witnessesusing eDiscovery tools or platformsAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft ExcelFluency in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or other relevant language for Minnesota How to ApplyInterested applicants must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the State’s official application and hiring site. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 31, 2025.1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;2. Apply for posting number 833613. Direct Link If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Brooke Seekins at brooke.seekins@ag.state.mn.us or 651-300-7025. Why Work For Us Working together to improve the state we love. What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? · A sense of purpose in their work· Connection with their coworkers and communities· Opportunities for personal and professional growth An Equal Opportunity EmployerMinnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law. Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at (651) 259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicantsDate Posted: 1/17/2025Closing Date: 1/31/2025Legal Assistant 5 Salary Range: $25.14 - $37.60 / hourly; $52,492 - $78,508 / annuallyLegal Assistant 6 Salary Range: $28.26 - $41.43 / hourly; $59,006 - $86,505 / annuallyLegal Assistant 7 Salary Range: $31.61 - $47.69 / hourly; $66,001 - $99,576 / annuallyTelework Eligible: Yes Job SummaryThe Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect. We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who choose public service as a calling, and we are actively and intentionally committed to supporting an internal culture that affirms that calling. The Office is one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and as of 2024, has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota for four years in a row and Top Workplace USA for three years in a row. The Office is currently seeking a consumer protection investigator to join the Consumer Protection Division of the Office. As a consumer protection investigator, you will have the opportunity to work on important civil enforcement investigations and litigation that seek to protect some of Minnesota’s most vulnerable and underserved communities around the State. While the Office’s consumer protection work is for the benefit of all Minnesota consumers, much of the Office’s investigative work and enforcement actions are focused on unlawful business practices that target people of limited means, the elderly, students, children, and youth, as well as immigrant communities. In this position, you would be at the forefront of cutting-edge consumer protection investigations that have a direct, measurable impact on the lives of Minnesota consumers. As a consumer protection investigator, you will help to find and develop high-profile consumer protection cases involving various industries and subject areas such as health care, housing, automobile sales, consumer finance, debt collection and debt relief, social media and technology platforms, and door-to-door and contractor sales. Such investigations and cases include, for example: · Kia and Hyundai Vehicle Thefts (investigating Kia and Hyundai’s sale of vehicles to Minnesota consumers that lacked industry-standard, anti-theft technology);· State v. Brio Energy, et al. (deceptive door-to-door sales of residential solar panels);· Sale of Deceptive E-Cigarette Products (unlawful and deceptive sale of nicotine vaping products to youth);· State v. Minnesota School of Business and Globe University (misrepresenting job opportunities from criminal justice degree and charging illegal interest rates on private student loans) To be an effective consumer protection investigator, you will need to be a curious and motivated self-starter able to identify misconduct based on consumer reports and efficiently gather relevant information through research and witness interviews. You will work closely with consumer protection attorneys on developing and building cases before suit and preparing cases for trial during litigation. One of the most important skills is being able to competently handle multiple projects at once that may be in different stages of investigation/litigation or in different consumer protection areas. As part of your duties, you will need to interact with, understand, and build trust and rapport with consumers from across Minnesota, who may have diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures. As part of your job duties, you will be expected to establish and maintain relationships, conduct outreach, and provide public education to impacted communities, stakeholders, advocates, and grass roots leaders. If you are offered this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily investigative work while also collaborating with the Office’s consumer protection attorneys that oversee and participate in the investigations. You will be expected to manage your investigative caseload to ensure matters are moving expeditiously. In this position, you will also have the opportunity to receive ongoing training, professional development, and mentorship opportunities to support your professional growth. A successful candidate in this position must have strong interpersonal skills, be detail-oriented, creative, and a problem solver, have strong writing and analysis skills, have a strong initiative and work ethic, and enjoy working collaboratively with a fast-paced team. This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment. Minimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree; OR completion of formal paralegal or law enforcement coursework from an accredited program, which resulted in a program certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree; OR four years of demonstrable similar experienceStrong interpersonal skills, and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with persons from diverse backgrounds, languages, and culturesIntermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft ExcelFamiliarity with legal procedures, rules of evidence, and/or investigative proceduresDemonstrated skill in: research and writing;critical thinking;communication;organization To be considered at the LA6 level, candidates must have at least 6 years of directly related experience. To be considered at the LA7 level, candidates must have at least 12 years of directly related experience. Preferred QualificationsExperience or academic background in consumer protection related issuesKnowledge of state or federal consumer protection lawsPrior experience/knowledge with the Minnesota or federal civil court systemExperience: conducting criminal or civil investigationsconducting background checks and searching public recordsinterviewing witnessesusing eDiscovery tools or platformsAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft ExcelFluency in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or other relevant language for Minnesota How to ApplyInterested applicants must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the State’s official application and hiring site. The deadline for applications is Friday, January 31, 2025.1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;2. Apply for posting number 833613. Direct Link If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Brooke Seekins at brooke.seekins@ag.state.mn.us or 651-300-7025. Why Work For Us Working together to improve the state we love. What do Minnesota's State employees have in common? · A sense of purpose in their work· Connection with their coworkers and communities· Opportunities for personal and professional growth An Equal Opportunity EmployerMinnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law. Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at (651) 259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.
Salary : $25 - $38