Counsel I

About the role

The Office of Senate Counsel, Research, and Fiscal Analysis (SCRFA) is a nonpartisan office that provides objective legal, policy, research, and fiscal analysis services to Senators and Senate committees. SCRFA serves all Senators regardless of party and does not advocate for or against legislation or policy positions. In this nonpartisan position, the successful candidate will be expected to remain free from political party affiliation, bias, or designation for the duration of the appointment. The credibility and reputation of this office, and the trust placed in it by senators and staff, depend on maintaining its nonpartisan status.

Position Summary

A Senate counsel provides a wide variety of services to Senators and Senate staff throughout the legislative process. As Senate counsel, you would draft bills, amendments, memos, and bill summaries; conduct legal and non-legal research; support Senate committee hearings and floor sessions; and meet with Senators, staff, state agency staff, lobbyists, and other interested parties. Counsel works directly with Senators and staff to understand their goals, identify and evaluate possible options, and draft bills, amendments, or memos to achieve those goals.

A Senate counsel is assigned to one or more committees as part of a team of SCRFA staff, typically including a fiscal analyst and/or a research analyst. Through these assignments, counsel develop subject matter expertise in particular areas of law and becomes trusted resources on both substantive issues and the legislative process. Counsel also works closely with partisan staff and other Senate staff, making collaboration and strong working relationships an important part of the position. Senate counsel does not make policy or advocate for or against particular policies. Their role is to provide objective, nonpartisan information, analysis, and options that enable Senators to make informed policy decisions.

Responsibilities

• Draft bills, amendments, memos, and bill summaries
• Conduct legal and non-legal research
• Support Senate committee hearings and floor sessions
• Meet with Senators, staff, state agency staff, lobbyists, and other interested parties
• Work directly with Senators and staff to understand their goals, identify and evaluate possible options, and draft bills, amendments, or memos to achieve those goals

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school
• Be authorized to practice law in Minnesota OR be authorized to practice law in another state and prior to appointment be able to demonstrate evidence of having applied for admission to practice law in Minnesota
• Have a nonpartisan background

Desired Skills and Experience

• Strong legal and policy research skills
• Effective oral, written, and presentation skills
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to identify issues, solve problems, and think creatively
• Experience with the legislative process, experience with judicial or executive branch procedures, and/or experience in a professional legal setting
• Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills
• Ability to work in a nonpartisan capacity

Skills to Possess or Develop

SCRFA provides training and support to help counsel develop these skills:

• Speak effectively in public, including responding to questions and making presentations
• Read, understand, and draft legislation and other legislative documents
• Develop relevant subject matter expertise
• Develop a thorough knowledge of the legislative process
• Work effectively under tight deadlines and long hours
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with legislators, partisan and nonpartisan legislative staff, state agency staff, and others

Benefits

• Insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, and others)
• Paid sick and vacation leave
• Paid parental leave
• Eleven paid holidays and two floating holidays
• Training and professional development opportunities

Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm
• This position works on-site in the Minnesota Senate Building and Minnesota Capitol during the legislative session. When the legislature is not in session, flexible hybrid options may be available.
• Requires long and irregular hours and the ability to meet tight deadlines during the legislative session (typically January through May), including evening and weekend work. Additional paid time off will be available.

Pay

The full starting salary range for this position is $80,555.04 - $139,415.76 with salary level within this range commensurate with experience. New hires typically begin toward the lower end of the range, with starting salaries primarily determined by using the Minnesota Senate's comprehensive salary calculator and are not individually negotiated within the full salary range. A salary premium is applied to the salary range minimum based upon how an applicant's work experience aligns with the job responsibilities. Future salary movements may occur based on Senate policy, tenure, and work performance.