Closing Date: 28th October, 2026
Description:
Job Summary:Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) operates a diverse system of direct care and treatment programs and services and maintains significant volumes of government data, including protected health information, health records, private and confidential government data, employee information, client information, treatment-related information, and other legally protected data.
This position exists to provide legal research, analysis, and advice concerning assigned suspected or confirmed data security incidents, data privacy, public data requests, requests for access or disclosure and related data governance matters to the DCT Data Privacy Office (DPO). The legal issues presented in the position generally involve the interpretation and application of statutes, administrative rules, court decisions, and other legal authorities to particular, routine and moderately complex facts and circumstances.
As a Data Privacy and Practices Attorney, you will:
- Conduct the legal research necessary to resolve assigned issues, exercise judgment in analyzing assigned matters, and identify legally supportable options within the established area of data privacy and related law.
- Interpret and apply to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), Minnesota Health Records Act (MHRA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other applicable state and federal requirements to assigned matters.
- Analyze the interaction of applicable laws and provide legally supportable options and recommendations to the Data Privacy Manager, Deputy General Counsel, and appropriate DCT staff.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
To be qualified for and considered for this position, applicants must meet all the minimum qualifications listed below. To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume contains descriptions of your work experience sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below and indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
- JD degree from an ABA accredited law school; AND
- Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota; AND
- One (1) year experience as a licensed attorney. Experience must demonstrate:
- Experience conducting legal research, writing and analysis; and providing legal advice.
- Knowledge of or ability to develop working knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), HIPAA, Minnesota health records and privacy laws, and other laws governing data privacy, confidentiality, and disclosure.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of professional legal ethics and attorney-client relationships.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience providing legal advice regarding data privacy, data practices, records management, or information governance, particularly under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), HIPAA, or other state and federal privacy laws.
- Experience leading or coordinating complex data privacy or records-related projects involving multiple business areas, legal, technology, and other stakeholders.
- Experience with electronic discovery, document review, records searches, data collection, or e-discovery/document review platforms.
- Experience analyzing complex or emerging data privacy issues and developing practical recommendations to address legal, operational, and technology considerations.
- Experience working with information technology or cybersecurity professionals to address data privacy, data security, electronic records, or data-management issues.
- Experience developing, implementing, or improving policies, procedures, standards, or processes related to data privacy, records, information governance, or electronic discovery.
- Experience working in a government, public-sector, healthcare, or similarly highly regulated environment.
- Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements:
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
Reference/Background Checks – Direct Care & Treatment will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and criminal background check prior to appointment.
Education Verification - Applicants will be required to provide a copy of their high school diploma at time of interview OR copies of their college transcript or college degree/diploma at time of interview. Copies of the college degree/diploma are acceptable ONLY if it clearly identifies the field in which it was earned.
Application Details
How to Apply:
Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.
Contact:
If you have questions about this position, contact Amy Chantry at amy.chantry@state.mn.us.
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 Raegan Juntunen at raegan.juntunen@state.mn.us.
If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact Direct Care & Treatment's Office of Equal Opportunity at Accommodations.DCT@state.mn.us or call 651-539-7243 for assistance.
Certain Disabled Veterans: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a noncompetitive basis if they: 1) meet service requirements and have a verified service-connected disability rating of at least 30%; 2) provide qualifying documentation verifying the disability; and 3) meet all Minimum Qualifications identified in this posting. To be considered under this legislation you must submit all documentation before the closing date to: raegan.juntunen@state.mn.us.
About Direct Care and Treatment
DCT operates a highly specialized behavioral health care system that serves people with mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. This includes psychiatric hospitals and other inpatient mental health treatment facilities; inpatient substance abuse treatment facilities; dental clinics, group homes, vocational sites, and sex offender treatment facilities.
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