Description:

Job Details:
Working Title: Senior Attorney
Job Class: Staff Attorney 2
Agency: Department of Children, Youth, & Families

Job ID: 89449
Location: St. Paul
Telework Eligible: Yes
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers. This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 10/15/2025. Please note that to be considered a bidder, you must be a permanent, non-probationary DCYF employee in the same job classification as the position posted.
Date Posted: 10/09/2025
Closing Date: 10/29/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: DCYF / DCYF Central Office MAPE
Division/Unit: DCYF Central Office / OIG Legal Unit 2
Work Shift: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Work Hours: Day Shift
Days of Work: Monday - Friday
Travel Required: No
Salary Range: $38.55 - $57.35 / hourly; $80,492 - $119,746 / 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 Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF 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.

Job Summary:
*Telework Within Minnesota and flexible hours options are available. Employees that live 50 miles or less from their primary/principal work location and live within the State may telework more than 50% with approval. *** Employees may telework outside the state of Minnesota if they live in a state bordering Minnesota and live 50 miles or less from the primary/principal work location. See policy for additional information.

The Licensing Legal Team attorney remains part of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) Legal Counsel's Office supporting the Licensing Division. This position performs complex attorney functions relating to data practices and data management, the issuance of licensing actions, various administrative reconsiderations, administrative appeals, and litigation related to background studies, maltreatment, and licensing actions issued by the Licensing Division.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to the following:

Subject matter expert in the overall laws, rules, and policies relating to the Licensing Division functions and related due process and in a specialty area of law within the Licensing Division.
Independently handles complex litigation and advises Licensing Division management and staff, the Attorney General's Office, county attorneys, and other agency staff on complex legal issues, with a high degree of judgment and skill based on their experience and subject matter knowledge.
Prepares memoranda, reconsideration decisions, and other legal documents relating to complex Licensing Division functions and related due process.
Handles data practices requests and related legal questions.
Good working knowledge of each OIG Division program to identify and raise potential cross-divisional impacts to the Chief Legal Counsel.
Operates with significant independence to act related to these areas and, with regard to their area of expertise, an obligation to keep leadership apprised of resources needs, legal trends, and significant legal developments, including identifying areas of risk that may affect the Licensing Division and other areas within OIG.
The position within the Children, Youth, and Families Team may also include the above responsibilities as they relate to the Child Care Audit and Investigations Division.

Qualifications:
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 and year for each job held.**

JD degree from an ABA accredited law school;
Current license and in good standing to practice law in Minnesota;
At least three (3) years' experience as a practicing attorney (up to one year of which may be as a judicial clerk) in an area of law related to the position, including administrative law, criminal or juvenile delinquency law, child or vulnerable adult protection law, or related civil legal experience.

Experience must demonstrate the following:

Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills;
Building and maintaining good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders;
Providing legal advice on diverse and complex human services and data privacy matters; and
Experience in one or more areas of law related to the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience litigating cases in administrative, civil, or criminal courts or knowledge and technical experience in venues such as the Office of Administrative Hearings, state or federal district court, or Fair Hearings under Minnesota Statutes, section 256.045.
Knowledge and experience with data privacy law and regulation, including the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Reviews and summarizes case decisions from district court, administrative hearings, and appellate courts.
Experience consistently managing multiple complex projects at various stages of completion at one time.
Experience working for a government agency or organization.
Experience drafting or reviewing contracts.
Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements:
It is the policy of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families that the individual selected for this position successfully complete a background investigation prior to employment, that may include the following components:

Reference check
Criminal Background check
Fingerprinting check (MNJIS/CJIS)
Personnel File Review: current and former public sector employees.

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 Afsheen Foroozan at afsheen.foroozan@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 Susan Vang at susan.y.vang@state.mn.us.

If you are an individual with a disability and need an ADA accommodation for an interview, you may contact the Department of Children, Youth and Families ADA Coordinator at 651-431-4945 or DCYF ADA at ada.dcyf@state.mn.us.

About Children Youth & Families Dept
Our state depends on the success of Minnesota children, youth and families. The Department of Children, Youth, and Families puts children at the center of state government, creating a permanent state agency and commissioner focused on elevating children and families in policy and budget decisions.

This realigns state government to advance equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families through transformative, partnership-driven policies, programs and practices.

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 benef