Senior Associate General Counsel​/Staff Attorney

Overview

Senior Associate General Counsel – Staff Attorney 3, working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the Office of General Counsel. The position involves handling a broad range of legal topics related to natural resource law, environmental review, administrative law, and providing legal advice to agency leadership. Telework eligible as noted; in-person work required three full days per week at the DNR Central Office in St.

Paul, Minnesota.

• Provide legal analysis and advice on the application of Minnesota statutes, rules, and common law to fact situations, policy proposals, and hypothetical questions to ensure consistent and lawful decision-making across the DNR.
• Advise the Department and Senior Leadership on legal matters outside assigned areas of responsibility, as requested by the General Counsel.
• Collaborate as part of a small, dedicated team of attorneys.
• Direct, mentor, and advise less experienced attorneys, as requested by the General Counsel.
• Conduct legal and policy research, perform analysis on diverse and complex matters, provide legal advice, and produce written materials for varied audiences.
• Serve as the agency’s lead attorney in assigned practice areas and primary legal advisor for assigned divisions; provide direct guidance to agency leadership and handle complex, novel, interdisciplinary issues.
• Collaborate with scientific and technical staff and coordinate litigation in assigned areas with the Office of the Attorney General.

• A J.D. from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Current license to practice law in Minnesota, or eligibility to obtain Minnesota licensure prior to start date if licensed in another state.
• Four years of advanced professional experience demonstrating the following:
  • Minimum of two years of professional experience primarily practicing environmental law.
  • Excellent legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
  • Strong communication skills related to legal advice and assistance.
  • Ability to understand, interpret, and explain laws, rules, and regulations.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals across positions to identify issues and resolve problems.
  • Experience in legal research, writing, and constructing legal arguments.
  • Experience interpreting federal or state laws and regulations.
  • Experience providing legal advice to senior leadership.
  • Working knowledge of administrative law and natural resource or environmental laws or tribal laws.
  • Experience drafting legal documents and litigating in federal, state, or administrative forums or managing litigation.
  • Ability to communicate with multicultural communities and incorporate diverse perspectives in policy development.
  • Awareness of cultural norms and ability to adapt tactics to balance legal and program requirements.
  • Ability to treat employees inclusively in accommodations, accessibility, scheduling, expectations, and development.
• Other related qualifications as described in the posting.

• Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or Minnesota state government agencies.
• Experience as a lead worker or in providing oversight or management of legal staff.
• Law review, moot court, or judicial clerkship.
• Familiarity with permitting and/or enforcement.
• Experience working with technical or natural resource experts.
• Experience developing and conducting technical training on legal matters.

• Unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship; successful completion of an employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• Background check required, which may include:
  Conflict of Interest Review, Criminal History Check, Education Verification, Employment Reference/Records Check, and License/Certification Verification.

• Job
• Location:
  
  St. Paul
• Telework Eligible:
  Yes
• Full/Part Time:
  Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary:
  Unlimited
• Work Shift/
  
  Hours:
  
  Day Shift
• Days of Work:
  Monday –…