Working Title: Assistant Deputy General Counsel
Job Class: Staff Attorney 3
Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept
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Job ID: 95538
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Location: St. Paul
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Telework Eligible: Yes, 50%
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Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
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Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 7/27/26. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent, non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position posted.
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Date Posted: 07/21/2026
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Closing Date: 08/10/2026
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Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: DCYF / DCYF Central Office MAPE
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Division/Unit: DCYF / GCO Administrations
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Work Shift: Day Shift
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Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Days of Work: Monday - Friday
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Travel Required: No
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Salary Range: $43.69 - $64.80 / hourly; $91,224 - $135,302 / annually
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Classified Status: Classified
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Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
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FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
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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.
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.
- Telework (Within Minnesota or neighboring states) and flexible hours options are available.
The DCYF General Counsel’s Office is hiring a senior advising attorney, which will be classified at the Staff Attorney 3 level. This position will support the work of DCYF’s Child Safety and Permanency Administration. Child Safety and Permanency oversees the child welfare system in Minnesota including child protection, adoption assistance programs, programs supporting foster youth, family preservation programs and permanency programs.
This position will provide legal expertise in the substantive work of the Child Safety and Permanency administration and will become the primary contact for the administration’s legal needs.
This position will research and provide legal advice and strategies to the Department’s Children Youth and Families – Child Safety and Permanency Administration and to DCYF administration and leadership whose work intersects with Child Safety and Permanency. The overarching goal of this position is to ensure that Child Safety and Permanency programs are developed and administered consistent with applicable state and federal law and to ensure that creative legal solutions are explored to support Child Safety and Permanency’s role in advancing DCYF’s mission, vision, and values in our everchanging legal landscape.
Responsibilities include:
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Provide legal research and advice on applicability and interpretation of all aspects of state and federal law relevant to Child Safety and Permanency programs.
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Provide legal analysis and legal advice with respect to the application of state and federal statutes, rules, and case law to fact situations.
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Conduct legal analysis and provide legal advice and practical assistance to staff and General Counsel’s Office to develop grant programs that include program integrity aspects that are enforceable by Department program integrity staff including the Department’s Compliance Office and Office of Inspector General.
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Advise, negotiate, and draft professional and technical contracts, master contracts, work order contracts, annual plans, amendments to contracts, requests for proposals, interagency agreements, and joint powers agreements (collectively herein, “contracts”) as needed.
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Serve as the Minnesota Government Data Practices designee.
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Provide legal analysis, legal advice, and practical assistance to all aspects of rulemaking.
**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.**
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JD degree from an ABA accredited law school;
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Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota;
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One (1) year of experience in a leadership role;
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Five (5) years of experience as a practicing attorney (up to one year of which may be as a judicial clerk).
- Experience must demonstrate the following:
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Experience developing legal strategies and providing legal advice to executive level leadership.
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Experience with the legislative process and federal and state laws.
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Experience with Minnesota Government Data Practices Act or equivalent state or federal privacy laws
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Litigation experience, which may include direct litigation experience, judicial clerking, and case adjudication as a criminal, civil, or administrative law judge.
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Knowledge of the Child Safety and Permanency administration’s programs, including but not limited to the child welfare system, Title IV-E, adoption and kinship assistance, ICWA/MIFPA, permanency supports, or the underlying federal and state laws for the administration’s programs.
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Experience working in a county/community/tribal social service agency.
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Strong written and verbal communication skills with a range of stakeholders including government entities, advocacy groups and the public.
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Ability to adapt to new situations and a willingness to consider different perspectives.
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Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:
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Reference check
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Criminal Background check
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Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
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Driver’s License Check
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Personnel File Review: all current and former public sector employees
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Additional assessment may be required during the interview process
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 [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
If you have questions about this position, contact Erin Osborne at [email protected]
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 Susan Vang at [email protected].
If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Children, Youth and Families ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or DCYF ADA at [email protected].
Our state depends on the success of Minnesota children, youth and families. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families puts children at the center of state government, creating a permanent state agency and commissioner focused on elevating children and families in policy and budget decisions.
This realigns state government to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families through transformative, partnership-driven policies, programs and practices.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?
- A sense of purpose in their work
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Connection with their coworkers and communities
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Opportunities for personal and professional growth
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.
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
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Diabetes care
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Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
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Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
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Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
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Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
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Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
- Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
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Training, classes, and professional development
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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)
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A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
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Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
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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 [email protected] and let us know the support you need.
