Senior Attorney – Background Studies & Appeals

Minnesota Department of Human Services; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 82,000 - 122,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays

Pension plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Tax-free expense accounts

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) invites applications for a Senior Attorney in the Office of Inspector General (OIG)-OLC BGS Staff Attorneys unit. This exempt professional role focuses on legal analysis, policy advice, and representation in background studies matters.

Responsibilities include evaluating criminal history for background study eligibility, drafting legal memoranda, and advising senior management on state and federal laws.

Qualifications

• Resume must clearly describe experience with beginning and ending month/year for each job.
• JD degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Current Minnesota law license in good standing (no suspension or disbarment).
• At least three (3) years’ experience as a practicing attorney in Minnesota criminal law.

Responsibilities

• Analyze law enforcement, maltreatment investigations, and court records to determine background study eligibility and write legal memoranda.
• Provide legal advice on administration of state and federal laws governing background studies (Chapter 245C).
• Analyze dispositions and sentences from other jurisdictions and translate into Minnesota case information.
• Issue reconsideration decisions and testify at administrative hearings as needed.
• Analyze expungement petitions and orders.
• Collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation and appeals related to background studies and expungements.
• Serve as liaison between Background Studies and DHS divisions, AG’s Office, counties, and attorneys.
• Draft and edit contracts involving the Background Studies Division.
• Manage data requests from background study subjects, third parties, media, and the legislature.
• Draft and advise on proposed legislation affecting the Background Studies Division.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Stakeholder management

Policy advice

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Minnesota law license

Job description

The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) invites applications for a Senior Attorney in the Office of Inspector General (OIG)-OLC BGS Staff Attorneys unit. This exempt professional role focuses on legal analysis, policy advice, and representation in background studies matters.

Responsibilities include evaluating criminal history for background study eligibility, drafting legal memoranda, and advising senior management on state and federal laws.