Assistant General Counsel - Staff Attorney 3

About the role

Minnesota Management and Budget (MMB) is seeking an Assistant General Counsel to provide legal advice and guidance to MMB management and staff. This position will ensure compliance with state and federal data privacy laws, including the requirements imposed by the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), and serve as the General Counsel's primary backup, providing legal guidance to MMB management and staff in various legal areas as needed. This includes work involving the Minnesota Imprisonment and Exoneration Remedies Act, state budgeting and financial management, contract review, guidance on interpreting the state Code of Ethics, litigation and discovery, and other areas assigned by the MMB General Counsel. This is a crucial role within the Legal Services team that will collaborate with government leadership to coordinate legal strategy for MMB.

Responsibilities

• Serving as MMB's Data Compliance Official as defined in M.S. section 13.05 and providing legal expertise and general oversight of data privacy functions; working with MMB Legal Services Coordinator on managing data requests, data practices complaints, and responses to alleged data practices violations
• Assisting the MMB General Counsel in the provision of legal advice and counsel to MMB; serving as backup for the General Counsel when they are unavailable
• Conducting legal research and analysis in response to requests for legal advice
• Ensuring MMB policies, procedures, and actions are developed and implemented in accordance with applicable state and federal law
• Assisting the MMB General Counsel prepare for settlement conferences and negotiate settlement agreements under the Minnesota Imprisonment and Exoneration Remedies Act (MIERA)
• Coordinating litigation and discovery responses with the Office of the Attorney General
• Working with MMB budget and finance staff to evaluate agency spending authority
• Assessing whether certain employee activities are compliant with relevant state ethics and political activities requirements
• Reviewing MMB contracts for compliance with state law and policy and assessing for organizational risk and liability
• Advising on proposed legislative changes
• Collaborating with attorneys at other state agencies and Governor's Office staff on matters of enterprise-wide concern

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service 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. Candidates must clearly demonstrate all the following qualifications on their resume. To be considered for the Assistant General Counsel position, applicants must submit a cover letter and meet the below qualifications:

• Three (3) years of experience providing legal advice and counsel to in house/internal clients
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school and actively licensed and in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota (or ability to obtain licensure within 90 days of hire)
• Experience providing legal counsel on and responding to complex data requests related to the MGDPA
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including other counsel, senior leadership, and agency partners
• Analytical, legal research, and problem-solving skills sufficient to identify issues before they arise, propose new and innovative solutions, advise others, and evaluate implementation of solutions
• Writing and communication skills sufficient to draft and present clear, effective, and legally sound arguments; critical and complex information; legal documents; and policy requirements
• Demonstrated respect for diversity and a deep commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment

Preferred Qualifications

MMB values diverse perspectives and encourages all qualified candidates to apply, even if they do not meet 100% of the preferred qualifications. Your unique skills and background might be just what we need!

• Experience providing legal advice and guidance related to the MGDPA, data privacy, records retention, and related compliance
• Data practices-related experience in Minnesota state government
• Data practices-related experience in a unionized environment
• Experience collaborating with attorneys from outside organizations
• Experience representing a public employer (county, state, federal, Tribal, or local government unit)
• Experience planning and delivering complex legal training to non-legal audiences
• Experience giving legal advice to senior organizational leadership
• Experience developing and providing legal advice on organizational policies and procedures
• Experience managing or facilitating a client's response to subpoenas and other forms of legal discovery
• Experience reviewing contracts for compliance with relevant state and federal law and organization policy
• Experience giving guidance on ethical issues

Pay

Salary Range: $43.69 - $64.80 / hourly; $91,224 - $135,302 / annually

Schedule

Full-Time, Monday - Friday, Day Shift

Telework

Telework options for this position are dependent on where the employee lives. With approval, employees that live within 50 miles from the primary work location may telework up to 50%. Employees that live 50 miles or more from the primary location and live in Minnesota may telework more than 50% with approval.

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.

Hiring Incentive

This position qualifies for a $10,000 hiring incentive, paid in two installments after a qualified candidate starts. To receive the incentive, the person hired must not be employed by MMB at the time of their appointment to the position. Former MMB employees can still qualify for the incentive as long as they aren't currently working at MMB when they're appointed to the position.

Relocation

This position may also qualify for relocation expense reimbursements, depending on whether the employee selected must move and how far they move. Covered expenses may include realtor's fees, moving expenses, temporary living expenses, and travel expenses for the employee, their spouse, and their family.