Legislative Research Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services.

*We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.*

The Office of General Counsel provides legal representation, guidance, analysis, and services to the Council, its Chair, members and committees, the Regional Administrator, and staff; protects the legal rights of the Council and assists in achieving its objectives; helps develop and implement Council policies; and helps the Council fulfill its responsibilities within applicable legal, auditing, and jurisdictional authorities.

Assistant and Associate General Counsel generally work in litigation and advising in the following substantive areas: comprehensive planning and land use, intergovernmental contracting, public contracts and procurement, construction law, data practices and open meeting law, employment law, environmental law, and real property law. This position will have a wide variety of work (both transactional and litigation) with an expected emphasis on tort law, housing (including Housing and Redevelopment Authority regulations), real estate, e-discovery and technology, contracts, and construction law. These primary work areas may change depending on the needs of the Council.

Associate General Counsel is more experienced and expected to handle more complex work than Assistant General Counsel.

Note: *This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote up to two days per week) telework arrangement after the six-month probationary period. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.*
This posting will establish a 6-month eligibility list for current and future positions.

• Provide verbal and written legal advice to the Council, its Chair and members, the Regional Administrator, and other Council management and staff on a wide variety of topics.
• Represent the Council, or manage outside counsel, in state and federal litigation, administrative hearings, and arbitrations in various matters including but not limited tort law, e-discovery and technology, real property, contracts, housing, construction law, and environmental.
• Draft, review, or provide advice on contracts, grants, loans, leases, intergovernmental agreements and amendments, and provide advice on relevant contracting laws and procedures, negotiating positions, and legal compliance.
• Conduct legal research and analysis on federal, state, and local law that affects Council policies, programs, and operations.
• Draft legislation and legislative amendments and monitor legislative activities affecting the Council and its operations.

Assistant General Counsel
A JD degree from an accredited law school and at least three (3) years of experience practicing law within the past ten (10) years. At least one of the required years should include experience practicing tort law.

Associate General Counsel
A JD degree from an accredited law school and at least seven (7) years of experience practicing law within the past ten (10) years. At least one of the required years should include experience practicing tort law.

License to practice law in the State of Minnesota and in good standing.

• Assistant General Counsel position level: More than 3 years of experience practicing law.
• Associate General Counsel position level: More than 7 years of experience practicing law.
• Ability to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.
• Current admission to practice in the Federal District Court of Minnesota.
• Strong legal research and writing skills in a variety of subject areas.
• Substantive and litigation experience in Minnesota in a governmental setting or representing governmental entities with a concentration in one or more of the following areas within the last 10 years:

• Public Sector Representation–including data practices, open meeting law, public purpose doctrine, torts, litigation,and other areas.
• Tort Law – litigation defense and overseeing claims handlers or outside counsel; preference for government tort defense issues including application of the tort cap and governmental and other immunities.
• E-Discovery and Technology– e-discovery, data preservation and collection, data security, and artificial intelligence.
• Real Property Law – land acquisition and disposal, condemnation, relocation benefits, and purchase and lease agreements for public projects.
• Public Contracts and Procurement–public contracts for goods and services, public construction contracts involving state and federal financing/grant and loan funds, and intergovernmental agreements.
• Housing–representing a Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
• Construction Law–large public projects, primarily transit and wastewater treatment projects.
• Environmental Law–knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to air and water, and environmental review processes. Experience promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:
Knowledge of:

• Civil and governmental law (including government tort law and immunities, real estate; contract law; environmental law; construction law; procurement law; data practices and open meeting law; and federal, state and local administrative law).
• Other governmental agencies' procedures at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Laws, rules, and regulations that govern or affect the Council and its operations.

Ability to:

• Interpret, apply, and explain the relevant rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to courts, lawyers, and nonlawyers.
• Plan, organize, and perform work effectively, independently, and in a timely manner.
• Prepare and represent the Council or oversee outside counsel in civil litigation and administrative law hearings.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain collaborative, cooperative, and effective working relationships with others.
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

Assistant General Counsel
Union/Grade: Non-represented / Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $46.40- $75.30Hourly; $96,512.00- $156,624.00 Annually

Associate General Counsel
Union/Grade: Non-represented / Grade K
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $53.76 - $87.25 Hourly; $111,820.80 - $181,480.00 Annually

What your work environment would be:
Work is performed in a standard law office setting. Some assignments may require travel to other sites. Currently, Office of General Counsel attorneys telework up to two days per week.
What steps the recruitment process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your education and experience.
• We conduct a structured panel interview.
• We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case‑basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job you're applying for is safety‑sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards, you must pass a criminal background check. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor convictions on a case‑basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

This position involves access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI) as defined by the FBI CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Security Policy. In accordance with section 5.12.1.1 of the FBI Security Policy, all applicants must agree to a state of residence and national fingerprint-based record check. If the result of the record check reveals criminal convictions, the nature and circumstances of those convictions will be reviewed by the Metropolitan Transit Police Department and/or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to determine if access to Criminal Justice Information will be permissible. If it is determined that access to Criminal Justice Information would not be permissible, the candidate will no longer be considered for the position.
IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.
The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.
*If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email* *HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us**.*

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources