Deputy General Counsel of Operations/General Counsel 1

Working Title: Deputy General Counsel of Operations

Job Class: General Counsel

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID: 83450
• 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: 01/28/2025
• Closing Date: 02/18/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Children Youth & Families Dept /Managerial Plan
• Division/Unit: DCY - Central Office / General Counsel
• Work Shift: Day Shift
• Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $50.25 - $71.95 / hourly; $104,922 - $150,231 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrepresented
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

With the creation of the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) on July 1, 2024, Minnesota prioritized ensuring that children and families have the building blocks to help them thrive. Strong families are better able to raise up thriving children, and then we all do better.

If this message resonates with you, your work will be more than just a job. You will build, connect, and work every day with a team that is passionate about and committed to supporting families and children.

Read on for more about the hiring for this critical role, which will be cornerstone to DCYF’s success in achieving its mission.

• Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states only; telework is not allowed in other states) and flexible hours options are available.***
  
  

DCYF is in need of a strategic legal leader, who has the legal acumen, leadership skills, and emotional intelligence to build a team of attorneys who will, as a collective, excel at meeting the legal needs of DCYF’s agencywide operations. This position will serve as second in command, behind the general counsel, for legal advising and provision of legal services within for agencywide operations, including:

• Data Privacy Office, which is responsible for all data practices issues, oversight of the agency’s data request process, and data incident and breach management
• Administrative Law Office, which is responsible for producing commissioner orders based on administrative law judge recommendations from the Office of Administrative Hearings
• Legislative policy, which includes providing legal advice to the agency’s government relations director
• Compliance Office
• Rulemaking, which includes providing technical and legal advice for all agency rulemaking efforts, and
• Commissioner delegations, including structure and oversight.
  
  

The DCYF General Counsel’s Office is currently a team of five, which will nearly triple in size in the next few months. A priority for this position will be the hiring of key attorneys to help fulfill the obligations of this office. The Deputy General Counsel of Operations’ responsibilities include:

• Lead provision of legal services to DCYF program administration and provide advice and counsel on all legal activities and strategies.
• Lead litigation efforts in collaboration with the AGO and provide legal expertise and advice on complex legal activities, investigations, and settlements.
• Oversee and improve the DCYF program legal policies, including development of relevant programmatic compliance and training in close collaboration with the DCYF Chief Compliance Officer.
• Serve as key legal advisor to the DCYF’s Legislative Director, specific to DCYF operations functions.
  
  

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, day and year for each job held.**
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school;
• Current license to practice law in the State of MN; and
• At least seven (7) years' experience practicing law. The seven (7) years must include a combination of experience in litigation and experience in data privacy oversight, administrative law practice, and/or rulemaking.
• Knowledge and experience with state and federal data privacy laws as they relate to human services programs; and
• Demonstrated experience building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated strong emotional intelligence, strategic leadership, change management, and diversity equity and inclusion skills.
  
  

Experience must include:

• At least 1 year experience as a supervisor or in a leadership role in an area of law related to the position;
• Providing legal advice to executive level leadership on complex legal issues with broad impact;
• Strong legal research, analysis, writing, and advising skills; and
• Supervision of legal staff including mentoring and fostering professional development.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Recognized as a subject matter expert in administrative law, including Minnesota Statutes, chapter 14, and Minnesota Rules, chapter 1400.
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in such as Minnesota Statutes, chapters 15, 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D, and 16E
• Federal Single Audit Act of 1984 as amended in1996, Uniform Administrative Requirements Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards in 2 CFR Part 200, Limit on Receiving Public Funds
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in government data practices law
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership through change and leadership in high profile matters.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt the provision of legal services, including organizational structure of legal teams, to meet client needs.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a large and varied constituency, including legislators and legislative staff, the Attorney General’s Office, state local and federal agencies, professional and advocacy groups, as well as the general public.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain composure and convey competency, equanimity, and collaboration in stressful situations.
• 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.

How To Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Cyndi Jahnke at cyndi.jahnke@state.mn.us

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Amy John at amy.john@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Human Services’ ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or DHS_ADA@state.mn.us for assistance.

About Children Youth & Families Dept

Together, we’re working to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families through transformative, partnership-driven policies, programs, and practices.

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
  
  

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
  
  

Support to help you reach your career goals:

Training, classes, and professional development

Tuition reimbursement

Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
  
  

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota 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.

Applicants With Disabilities

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.