Description:
DescriptionInternal Close Date: January 23, 2026
Grade Level: M-2
Salary: $104,847.57 - $148,019.49 per year
Note: Starting pay rates are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity. New employees typically start in the lower half of range, but experts in their field may be considered for starting pay rates in the top half of the range.
Department/Location: 1001 Washington Ave N
Summary:
The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal counsel and guidance to the MPHA on a wide variety of Authority operational issues relating to public housing, housing choice voucher and affordable housing programs. The attorney represents MPHA in internal grievance proceedings, lease terminations, and eviction actions. The attorney will be responsible for Agency compliance with fair housing law and regulations. The attorney will review and respond to requests for reasonable accommodations and VAWA and will represent the Agency in disputes relating to fair housing and discrimination. The staff attorney fields inquiries and interacts with residents and their attorneys and advocates in an effort to resolve disputes between the Authority and its residents before they reach claim status.
All activities must support the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's (“MPHA” or “Authority”) mission, vision and values.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.
Behavioral Competencies:
MPHA expects all employees to exhibit the following behavioral skills:
Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.
Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.
Effective Communication: Employee is prepared, clear, concise and organized in all
facets of communication in order to fully establish understanding. Actively listens and understands the audience to adapt message appropriately. Communicates information with appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment requires a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with persons from diverse economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds, including new immigrants, limited English language proficiency clients, and clients with a variety of mental health issues and other disabilities.
Legal office environment (95%); Other (5%). Hybrid work environment with both on-site and remote work. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Requirements
Grade Level: M-2
Salary: $104,847.57 - $148,019.49 per year
Note: Starting pay rates are ultimately determined by the scope of the position, the candidate's relevant experience, and internal equity. New employees typically start in the lower half of range, but experts in their field may be considered for starting pay rates in the top half of the range.
Department/Location: 1001 Washington Ave N
Summary:
The primary purpose of this position is to provide legal counsel and guidance to the MPHA on a wide variety of Authority operational issues relating to public housing, housing choice voucher and affordable housing programs. The attorney represents MPHA in internal grievance proceedings, lease terminations, and eviction actions. The attorney will be responsible for Agency compliance with fair housing law and regulations. The attorney will review and respond to requests for reasonable accommodations and VAWA and will represent the Agency in disputes relating to fair housing and discrimination. The staff attorney fields inquiries and interacts with residents and their attorneys and advocates in an effort to resolve disputes between the Authority and its residents before they reach claim status.
All activities must support the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority's (“MPHA” or “Authority”) mission, vision and values.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties and skills may be required and assigned, as needed.
- Handle Agency matters involving fair housing laws including but not limited to disability discrimination. Responsible for reviewing requests and drafting reasonable accommodation and Violence Against Woman Act responses. Respond to tenant and participant complaints relating to fair housing rules and regulations.
- Investigate, develop reports, make recommendations, and resolve discrimination complaints involving tenants and participants.
- Advise and assist staff on compliance with statutory and regulatory matters related to fair housing matters, including, but not limited to, HUD, EEOC, ADEA, ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Minnesota Human Rights Act, and others.
- Advise and assist staff in observing due process requirements in the internal grievance procedures relating to reasonable accommodation requests, VAWA certification and other matters/
- Draft and prepare legal documents, including court filings for evictions, trials, and other actions. Conduct investigations and prepare cases for termination of public housing unit leases.
- Counsel and advise on housing legal matters which may lead to litigation or settlement.
- Represent MPHA in administrative and judicial proceedings, including housing court, state and federal courts and state and administrative agencies.
- Identify legal issues and perform legal research. Develop written and oral legal opinions and recommendations to resolve legal issues on various matters including, but not limited to, the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Minnesota Open Meeting Law and federal law and regulations relating to public housing and housing choice voucher program.
- Negotiate settlement agreements and terminations with opposing counsel and residents/participants.
- Assist with the legal review and drafting of a variety of internal policies.
- Track state legislative changes that impact the Agency as a public entity.
- Conduct various training classes for staff and clients.
- Conduct presentations on a variety of topics at legal or housing conferences.
- Perform special assignments as requested by General Counsel or executive management.
- Participate in MPHA committees as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Behavioral Competencies:
MPHA expects all employees to exhibit the following behavioral skills:
Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind; and recognizes working colleagues as customers.
Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; and persists despite obstacles and opposition.
Effective Communication: Employee is prepared, clear, concise and organized in all
facets of communication in order to fully establish understanding. Actively listens and understands the audience to adapt message appropriately. Communicates information with appropriate personnel in a timely manner.
Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment requires a demonstrated ability to interact effectively with persons from diverse economic, social, and ethnic backgrounds, including new immigrants, limited English language proficiency clients, and clients with a variety of mental health issues and other disabilities.
Legal office environment (95%); Other (5%). Hybrid work environment with both on-site and remote work. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Requirements
Education and/or Experience:
Juris Doctorate Degree and a minimum of one (1) year of experience working as an attorney or judicial law clerk preferred. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota. Experience with housing-related legal issues or public sector legal issues preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Must be admitted to the Minnesota State Bar, licensed with the Minnesota Supreme Court, and qualified to be admitted to the Federal District Court of Minnesota.
Some positions may require possession of a valid driver's license. Those positions may also require use of a personal vehicle and evidence of individual automobile insurance coverage, or the ability to be insurable under the Authority's automobile insurance plan at the standard rate. Must pass a criminal history background check.
Technical skills:
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a
stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; reaching and grasping; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.
Additional Information:
Juris Doctorate Degree and a minimum of one (1) year of experience working as an attorney or judicial law clerk preferred. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Minnesota. Experience with housing-related legal issues or public sector legal issues preferred. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Must be admitted to the Minnesota State Bar, licensed with the Minnesota Supreme Court, and qualified to be admitted to the Federal District Court of Minnesota.
Some positions may require possession of a valid driver's license. Those positions may also require use of a personal vehicle and evidence of individual automobile insurance coverage, or the ability to be insurable under the Authority's automobile insurance plan at the standard rate. Must pass a criminal history background check.
Technical skills:
To perform this job successfully, the employee should have strong computer skills (MS Word, Excel, and Outlook). Must have the ability to learn other computer software programs as required by assigned tasks.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a
stationary position. Daily movements include sitting; standing; reaching and grasping; operating computers and other office equipment; moving about the office; and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to exchange information in person, in writing, and via telephone. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.
Additional Information:
EEO-4 Classification
Professionals
Professionals
Job ID
26-05
26-05