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Senior Associate General Counsel

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
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Senior Associate General Counsel
Job Class: Staff Attorney 3
Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

  • Job ID: 82274
  • 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: 03/05/2025
  • Closing Date: 03/25/2025
  • 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: $42.31 - $62.75 / hourly; $88,343 - $131,022 / annually
  • Classified Status: Classified
  • Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
  • FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
  • Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: 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.

Job Summary

 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Staff Attorney 3. A person holding this position is responsible for working on some of the most complex areas of law in the State such as the regulation of the state’s mining industry, water law, tribal law, and the laws governing fish and wildlife management and their intersection with each other.  The individual in this position will conduct legal and policy research, perform analysis on diverse and complex matters, provide legal advice, and produce written products for a variety of audiences and purposes. As the agency lead attorney in assigned practice areas and lead legal advisor for assigned divisions, this role is responsible for regularly providing direct advice to agency leadership and routinely handling legal issues that are complex, novel, and/or require understanding of how multiple areas of law interact.

Responsibilities include:

  1. Provide legal analysis and legal advice on the application of Minnesota statutes, rules, and the common law to fact situations, policy proposals and hypothetical questions presented by Lands and Minerals, Forestry, and Ecological and Water Resources to assure consistency and legality in decisions made by the DNR and across divisions within the DNR.  
  2. Advise the Department on and when called upon, represent the Department in wildfire recovery matters. Advise both the Divisions of Lands and Minerals and Forest Resources on assorted public land management issues and the state’s land management obligations.  
  3. Advise the Division of Ecological and Water Resources on complex public water management issues and the state’s water management obligations.
  4.  Oversee, mentor, and advise less experienced attorneys assigned to advise the Department’s Data Compliance Officer and Senior Leadership on Data Practices issues.
  5. Provide advice to the Department and Senior Leadership on areas outside of the SAAG’s area of expertise as requested by the General Counsel. Oversee, mentor, and advise less experienced attorneys as requested by the General Counsel.

This position has a flexible work arrangement and may be eligible to telework on a part-time basis which is subject to change. If approved, the employee would be required to complete a telework agreement. 

Qualifications

 

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; 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 in 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 or moot court.
  • 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 State Government agencies.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

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 

Application Details

 

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 this position, contact Sherry Enzler at sherry.enzler@state.mn.us or 651-259-5066.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to assist with the application process, please contact the ADA Coordinator at ADA.DNR@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 Chelsie Fisher at chelsie.fisher@state.mn.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

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
  • 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.