Deputy General Counsel - General Counsel 1 / Full-time, Day Shift

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA); Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent health insurance

Paid vacation and holidays

Pension plan

Job summary

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Deputy General Counsel to provide executive-level legal advice and direction to the General Counsel’s Office. The role includes oversight of litigation, contracts, data privacy, administrative law, and settlements while coordinating complex legal analyses.

The successful candidate will have an active Minnesota bar, an ABA-accredited law degree, and proven leadership and strategic planning abilities to align resources with agency priorities.

Qualifications

• Active license to practice law in Minnesota and CLE requirements.
• Graduation from ABA-accredited law school.
• Demonstrated leadership as a manager/supervisor or team lead.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level legal advice and counsel to the Department's legal activities.
• Oversee litigation, contracts, data privacy, administrative law, policies, negotiations, and settlements.
• Analyze complex areas of law and provide timely legal analyses.

Skills

Legal analysis

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Project prioritization

Communication

Education

Minnesota bar license

ABA-accredited law school

Job description

Job Details

• Job Class: General Counsel 1
• Job ID: 97563
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes - Please note this position is telework eligible and required to work in-person for at least 50% of scheduled workdays each month.
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/08/2026
• Closing Date: 10/28/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Veterans Affairs Dept / Veterans Affairs-Manager
• Division/Unit: Department of Veterans Affairs / Legal Affairs Operations
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift / 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 5% The incumbent may need to travel to MDVA locations as business needs require.
• Salary Range: $51.89 - $74.31 / hourly; $108,346 - $155,159 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
• Working Title: Deputy General Counsel
• Agency: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs

Work Responsibilities

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 will provide executive-level legal advice and counsel, legal direction, strategic planning, and supervision to the Department's legal activities as a member of the General Counsel’s Office team. These functions include the oversight, direction, and coordination of the Department’s litigation, legal advice, contracts, data privacy functions, administrative law functions, legal policies, negotiations and settlements, and legal compliance activities. The incumbent will provide legal analysis of multiple specialized areas of law. Work requires extensive and substantial familiarity with current and developing legal issues, the regular use of professional legal principles and practices, statutes, case law, and rules.

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume/application clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below, and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active license in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements.
• Graduation from an ABA (American Bar Association) accredited law school.
• Demonstrated leadership experience as a manager, supervisor, or team lead including experience thoughtfully and appropriately navigating difficult or sensitive situations.
• Ability to prioritize projects and initiatives by aligning people and resources to meet the needs and strategies of the team.
• Ability to identify internal and external pressures/roadblocks that impact or may impact the work of the agency and navigate them effectively.
• Seven years of experience practicing law in three or more of the following areas:
  • Litigation management
  • Public administration
  • Veteran services and benefits
  • Health care administration
  • Data practices
  • Ethics
  • Employment law
  • State procurement
  • Administrative law

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of Minnesota statutes, administrative rules, regulation, procedures, and/or case law related to Veterans and Veterans administration and operations.
• Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or state government.
• Experience explaining client/organization liability to non-attorneys.
• Experience with state procurement process and contracts.
• Experience working with Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Additional Requirements

• Employment reference checks will be conducted on finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and contact with the applicant's former employer(s).
• A Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) background check may be conducted on the top finalist(s) for the position(s). When conducted, a finalist must pass the DHS background check.
• A Tuberculosis (Mantoux) screening (or chest x-ray) is required prior to employment.
• Finalists may be required to pass a driver's license check.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Lacey Konkel at [e-mail] or 952-378-5519.

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 [e-mail] and let us know the support you need.