Senior Attorney / Staff Attorney 2

Overview

This is a full-time, classified Staff Attorney 2 position working as a Senior Attorney with the Office of Inspector General Legal Counsel’s Office, supporting the Background Studies Division.

• Job ID: 96536
• Location: St. Paul
• Schedule: Day shift, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday
• Telework: Eligible (with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance)
• Travel: No
• Work Shift/Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• Classified Status: Classified

Salary Range: $39.22 - $58.35 / hourly; $81,891 - $121,834 / annually

Application timing: Posted 08/21/2026; closing date 09/08/2026.

Work authorization: The employer is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. The employer does not participate in E-Verify.

Responsibilities

• Analyze law enforcement, maltreatment investigation, and court records to determine whether they impact a background study subject’s eligibility, and write legal memoranda explaining the reasons for findings.
• Provide legal advice on the administration of state and federal laws and policies governing background studies under Chapter 245C.
• Analyze dispositions and sentences in criminal cases from other state and federal jurisdictions and translate them into comparable Minnesota criminal case information.
• Issue decisions on reconsiderations under delegated authority from the Commissioner of Human Services and testify on behalf of the Department of Human Services at administrative appeal hearings.
• Analyze expungement petitions and orders.
• Coordinate with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation and appeals related to background studies and expungements.
• Serve as liaison between the Background Studies function and other divisions of the Department of Human Services, the Attorney General’s Office, counties, and attorneys.
• Draft and edit contracts involving the Background Studies Division.
• Manage and respond to data requests from background study subjects, third parties, the media, and the legislature.
• Draft and advise on proposed legislation affecting the Background Studies Division.

Requirements

To receive proper credit, the resume must clearly describe experience in the areas listed below and indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA accredited law school.
• Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota, with no record of suspension or disbarment.
• At least three (3) years’ experience as a practicing attorney in an area of Minnesota criminal law.

Experience must demonstrate:

• Working on criminal cases in Minnesota District Court.
• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to provide legal advice on issues to senior management or executives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, or judicial law clerk.
• Successfully managing high volumes of work with competing priorities.
• Experience litigating administrative law matters, which may include venues such as the Office of Administrative Hearings or Fair Hearings under Minnesota Statutes section 256.045.
• Experience or interest in drafting contracts.
• Experience drafting statutes and familiarity with the legislative process.
• Knowledge or experience with plain language communication of complex regulatory and statutory matters.
• Experience working for a government agency/organization.
• Experience working effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

The selected candidate must successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, including:

• Criminal background check
• Reference check
• Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)

Additionally:

• Complete Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Security Awareness training within 3-business days from the start of employment.
• Obtain and retain CJIS certification annually.

Telework Eligibility

Telework is available for applicants who reside in Minnesota or a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If living in a bordering state, the applicant must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to the salary range listed above, employees may receive health insurance and other benefits. 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 (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources supporting physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
• Training, classes, professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support
• Resources and support through daily living/convenience services (including chore services, home repair, trip planning, and 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 Employer

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers, committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state.

Reasonable accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities during the hiring process.