Closing Date: 13th February, 2026
Description:
Job Details:- Working Title: General Counsel
- Job Class: General Counsel 3
- Agency: Housing Finance Agency
- Job ID: 91648
- Location: St. Paul
- Telework Eligible: Yes
- Full/Part Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
- Date Posted: 01/23/2026
- Closing Date: 02/13/2026
- Division/Unit: Manager-Commissioner's Main
- Travel Required: No
- Salary Range: $62.07 - $88.79 / hourly; $129,602 - $185,394 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Supervisor: Jennifer Leimaile Ho, Commissioner
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
- FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/): Yes
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.
- Telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) is available per the State of Minnesota policy.
- Candidates residing in Minnesota within 50 miles of our St Paul office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
- Candidates residing in Minnesota and more than 50 miles from our office may be eligible to telework more than 50%.
- Candidates residing in Wisconsin within 50 miles of our office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
- Candidates who do not reside in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the office in Wisconsin are not eligible to be hired, unless planning to relocate within 50 miles of the office.
Job Summary:
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.
Minnesota Housing is hiring! We're a mission-focused financial institution and we believe there should be joy in the workplace and in the work we do. Our mission is driven by the belief that housing is the foundation for success. Our big audacious goal is to provide housing that is affordable so that all Minnesotans can live and thrive in a safe, stable home that they can afford in a community of their choice. We are seeking a visionary General Counsel who reports directly to the Commissioner and is a key member of the Agency's servant leadership team.
Essential Job Duties:
- Serve as chief in-house legal counsel for the Agency.
- Manage the legal team of a Deputy General Counsel, Paralegal, six in-house attorneys and a network of external counsel, which provides legal services and advice to the Agency board of directors, the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, and other staff throughout the Agency.
- Serve as primary legal liaison with the Governor's General Counsel and the Minnesota Attorney General's Office.
- Develop and support recommendations to address housing disparities within the framework of the law. Maintain the Agency's compliance across all areas of the law including data practices, risk management, human resources and public policy. Support a high- performing Legal team, recognizing existing individual expertise and supporting continued professional development. Support team with effective goal setting and regular positive and constructive feedback and coaching.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
To be qualified for and considered for this position, applicants must meet all of the minimum qualifications listed below. Ensure that your resume contains descriptions of your work experiences sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below and indicate 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.
- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school and current license to practice law in the state of Minnesota.
- Five years of legal experience in affordable housing, housing finance or other legal experience that is directly relevant to the essential job duties. If you do not have affordable housing or housing finance legal experience, ensure that your resume or cover letter details how your experience is directly relevant to the position.
- Two years of experience supervising or serving as a team lead for attorneys or relevant teams/projects. Please describe relevant experience in your resume or cover letter.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with peers, superiors and staff and to work both within the agency and among other agencies and organizations to identify legal issues and resolve problems effectively and efficiently.
- Demonstrated strong communication and management skills.
- Excellent legal analysis and writing skills.
- Experience integrating culturally competent approaches into one's leadership approach.
- Experience working with diverse points of view and incorporating them both internally and externally when prioritizing initiatives, making decisions, and developing strategies.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ten years of legal experience in the areas of housing tax credits, affordable housing and/or housing finance.
- Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding affordable housing.
- Legal experience representing or advising a state or local government agency.
- Familiar with Minnesota law in the areas of employment, procurement, data practices and conflicts of interest and ethics.
- Familiar with tax exempt bond financing.
- Legal experience with social justice and equity work.
- Experience leading process change.
Physical Requirements:
Requires moving office items such as file folders and small office tools.
Additional Requirements:
This position requires successful completion of the following:
- Reference Checks.
- Job related background checks.
- Conflict of Interest Disclosure.
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 Human Resources at mhfa.hr@state.mn.us or 651-539-9627.
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 Human Resources at mhfa.hr@state.mn.us.
About Housing Finance Agency
At Minnesota Housing, we know that affordable housing is an essential part of Minnesota's infrastructure. When you work here, you're helping to build stronger communities. We have a national reputation as one of the finest housing finance agencies in the country.
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
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
- Training, classes, and professional development
- Student Loan Reimbursement (pilot program)
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiven
Similar Jobs
