Human Services Judge

Minnesota Department of Human Services; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 54,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Human Services seeks a Human Services Judge to conduct administrative fair hearings for DHS, MNsure, Health, Education, and related departments. You will review evidence, apply state and federal law, and draft a recommended order. The role emphasizes impartiality, judicial temperament, and timely decisions.

This full-time position in St. Paul offers day shifts, Monday–Friday, with telework eligibility and a path to impact Minnesotans' well-being while upholding equity

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and Minnesota bar admission.
• Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Experience conducting evidentiary hearings is preferred.
• Ability to handle complex cases with sensitivity and fairness.

Responsibilities

• Conduct evidentiary hearings to develop a complete record.
• Prepare independent recommended orders and issue decisions.
• Balance workload while protecting the rights of all parties.

Skills

Legal analysis

Written communication

Oral communication

Judicial temperament

Independent work

Case management system

Education

Juris Doctorate (J.D.)

Minnesota law license

Tools

Case management system

Recording devices

Job description

• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/04/2026
• Closing Date: 12/03/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / Human Services Judges-2
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes (~5%)
• Salary Range: $39.22 - $58.35 / hourly; $81,891 - $121,834 / 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

• Job ID: 98201
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/04/2026
• Closing Date: 12/03/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Human Services Dept / MAPE DHS Central Office
• Division/Unit: DHS-Central Office / Human Services Judges-2
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes (~5%)
• Salary Range: $39.22 - $58.35 / hourly; $81,891 - $121,834 / 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 Department of Human Services is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DHS does not participate in E-Verify.

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 for applicants who reside in Minnesota or in a bordering state, with supervisory approval and satisfactory performance. If you live in a state bordering Minnesota, you must live within 50 miles or less from the primary work location to be eligible for telework.
• This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies**

As a Human Services Judge, you will conduct administrative fair hearings for the Minnesota Department of Human Services, MNsure Board, and the Minnesota Departments of Health, Education, and Children, Youth, and Families. After conducting an evidentiary hearing, you will review the evidence and pertinent federal and state law and prepare an independent recommended order to decide the appeal. The recommended order is reviewed by the respective agency’s Commissioner’s designee who issues the final decision.

Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Manage a high-volume caseload while ensuring that appeals assigned to you are resolved timely, efficiently, and in a manner that protects the rights of the parties.
• Conduct evidentiary hearings to develop a complete record.
• Make findings of fact and conclusions of law based on an analysis of the complete record and the laws that apply to the disputed issues.
• Comply with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and policies in order to effectively carry out the requirements of this position and the Agency’s mission, values, and goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.**

• Ability to identify legal issues within a complex set of factual circumstances;
• Strong written and oral communication skills sufficient to communicate with parties and write clear, concise recommended orders that are easily understood by all parties;
• Excellent legal research and analysis skills;
• Ability to work respectfully with persons of diverse backgrounds, including those with different cultural backgrounds; people in crisis; people in poverty; people with physical disabilities; people with mental illness; and non-English speakers;
• Ability to be flexible and quickly respond to changing situations;
• Ability to exhibit judicial temperament to conduct hearings in adversarial situations.;
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment, prioritize work load, allocate time in an efficient manner, and meet deadlines;
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
• Ability to competently use computer, case management system, and recording devices;
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.);
• Must be licensed to practice law in Minnesota and be in active status, an inactive resident, retired, on disabled status, or on retired senior status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience conducting evidentiary hearings as an administrative law judge, workers' compensation judge, unemployment insurance judge or equivalent experience in public sector hearings environment.
• Experience making credibility determinations.
• Professional experience representing public assistance recipients or government agencies in legal proceedings.
• Professional experience representing clients in administrative hearings.
• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

• Candidates will be asked to complete a writing sample in response to a written prompt to demonstrate independent writing and analytical skills within a defined time limit.

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DHS will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact AmyLynne Hermanek at [e-mail]