Compensation Attorney/Associate General Counsel

Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry is seeking a Compensation Attorney/Associate General Counsel. This role involves providing legal representation and advice in matters related to occupational safety and health, workers' compensation, and associated laws. Candidates must possess a current law license in good standing and relevant experience in legal representation. The position allows for telework eligibility for applicants residing within Minnesota or bordering states.

Benefits

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Low-cost medical, dental, and vision plans

Short-term and long-term disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• One year of experience as a licensed attorney.
• Experience in workers’ compensation or regulatory law.
• Ability to communicate effectively across diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Represent DLI in regulatory and enforcement actions.
• Provide legal advice to DLI staff on legal issues.
• Assist with legal research and writing.

Skills

Legal writing

Legal analysis

Verbal communication

Teamwork

Education

Current license to practice law in Minnesota

Job description

Compensation Attorney/Associate General Counsel

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Compensation Attorney/Associate General Counsel

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Join to apply for the Compensation Attorney/Associate General Counsel role at Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry

Working Title: Associate General Counsel

Job Class: Compensation Attorney

Agency: Labor & Industry Dept

• Job ID: 86682
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes-Conditional
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 06/24/2025
• Closing Date: 07/14/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Labor & Industry Dept / Labor and Industry-MAPE
• Division/Unit: Dept of Labor & Industry / Legal Services 2
• Work Shift/Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $34.18 - $50.69 / hourly; $71,368 - $105,841 / 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.

This position is eligible for telework to applicants who reside in Minnesota. This position is eligible for telework to applicants who reside in a state bordering Minnesota and live 50 miles or less from the primary/principal work location.

Attorneys in DLI’s Office of General Counsel provide legal representation and advice to DLI by applying knowledge of relevant laws, including those governing occupational safety and health, workers’ compensation, wage and hour, prevailing wage, women’s economic security, child labor, earned sick and safe time, data practices, official records, open meetings, combative sports, apprenticeship, dual training, the State Building Code and associated construction codes, and rulemaking under the Minnesota Administrative Procedure Act. Attorneys also provide legal representation to authoritative boards including the Plumbing Board, Board of Electricity, Board of High Pressure Piping Systems and Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board.

Job duties for this position may include:

• Representing DLI and authoritative boards in rulemaking proceedings.
• Representing DLI in regulatory and enforcement actions under its jurisdiction.
• Providing legal advice to DLI staff and authoritative boards on legal issues.
• Assisting senior attorneys in the Office of General Counsel with legal research, legal writing, rulemaking, contract review, and proposed legislation.
• Assisting Department staff in redacting not public information from documents in response to data practices requests.
• Advising the commissioner or designated decisionmaker regarding contested cases.
• Representing the Special Compensation Fund in workers’ compensation litigation at the Office of Administrative Hearings and Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals.
• Providing other attorney support as needed.
  
  

If selected for an interview, part of the interview process will include a timed writing component, which involves responding in writing to a legal scenario.

Minimum Qualifications

Current license to practice law in the State of Minnesota. The license must be in good standing.

Experiential Requirement:

• One year of experience as a licensed attorney in Minnesota providing legal representation or legal advice specializing in one or more areas of law under the purview of the agency (i.e., workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, wage and hour, prevailing wage, misclassification, construction, combative sports, apprenticeship), OR
• One year of experience as a licensed attorney providing legal representation or legal advice to a Minnesota governmental entity or to the federal government, if the employment was within the last five years, OR
• One year of experience as a judicial law clerk in Minnesota or federal court after graduation from law school, if the employment was within the last five years, OR
• Three years of experience as a licensed attorney providing legal representation or legal advice specializing in one or more areas of law under the purview of the agency (i.e., workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, wage and hour, prevailing wage, misclassification, construction, combative sports, apprenticeship) in another U.S. jurisdiction, one year of which could be experience as a judicial law clerk in another state court, OR
• Three years of experience as a licensed attorney providing legal representation or legal advice to a governmental entity in another U.S. jurisdiction, one year of which could be experience as a judicial law clerk in another state court, OR
• Comparable combination of equivalent experience as listed above.
  
  

In addition to the above experiential requirements, the additional requirements below will be assessed.

• Legal writing, legal analysis and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to review legal documents for relevance, accuracy, correlation, completeness and compliance with applicable laws, and produce written work under time constraints.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Litigation experience in the area of workers’ compensation.
  
  
  
  

• Experience with rulemaking subject to Minnesota’s Administrative Procedure Act or the federal Administrative Procedure Act.
• Experience with contested case proceedings subject to Minnesota’s Administrative Procedure Act or federal administrative law.
• Experience advising on the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the Official Records Act and the Minnesota Administrative Procedure Act, or similar federal laws.
• Knowledge of workers’ compensation law, administrative law, labor and employment law, construction codes, workplace regulations, workplace safety or other employment-related legal areas.
• Experience providing legal advice to boards.
• Experience with areas of law with intersecting state and federal regulations.
• Language skills other than English (such as Somali, Spanish, Hmong, Karen or ASL).
• Demonstrated commitment to public service.
  
  

Additional Requirements

It is the policy that all final candidates submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check, Employment Reference Check, Driver’s License Check, Education/License Verification.

How To Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five Recently Separated Veterans, who apply and meet the qualifications for the vacancy, must be granted an interview. To be considered a Recently Separated Veteran, you must meet all the following criteria:

• Have separated under honorable conditions from any branch of the armed forces of the United States;
• Have served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more or for the full period ordered to active duty OR have separated by reason of disability incurred while serving on active duty;
• Be a United States citizen or resident alien;
• Have served in active military service at any time on or after September 11, 2001 as shown on your form DD-214.
  
  

To be considered under this legislation, you must meet all of the Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting; meet all of the above RSV criteria; and submit a copy of your DD-214 form by the closing date via mail, e-mail or fax to: Caren Miller 443 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155, or [e-mail].

Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a non-competitive basis if you meet all of the following criteria:

• Meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%.
• Provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability.
• Meet all of the Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting.
  
  

To be considered under this legislation you must submit all documentation by the closing date via mail, e-mail or fax to: Caren Miller 443 Lafayette Road N, St. Paul, MN 55155, or [e-mail], or fax [phone].

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Caren Miller at [e-mail] or 651-284-5119.

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 Caren Miller at [e-mail].

About Labor & Industry Dept

The Department of Labor and Industry ensures Minnesota’s work and living environments are equitable, healthy and safe. The agency oversees the state's programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, dual-training pipeline, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, workers' compensation and youth skills training programs.

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 job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Part-time

Job function

• Job function

  Legal

• Industries

  Government Administration

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