Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants

Date Posted: 08/21/2023

Closing Date: 09/11/2023

M3 Salary Range: $127,994 – $194,998 / annually

Telework Eligible: Yes

Job Summary

The Office of Attorney General Keith Ellison has a clear mission: we help Minnesotans afford their lives and live with dignity, safety, and respect.  We are a dynamic group of dedicated professionals who choose public service as a calling, and we are actively and intentionally committed to supporting an internal culture that affirms that calling. The Office is one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and as of 2023, has been recognized as a Star Tribune Top Workplace Minnesota for three years in a row and Top Workplace USA for two years in a row.

The Office is currently seeking an Assistant Attorney General (AAG) to serve as the attorney manager of the Public Safety Division, which is housed in the Health and Safety Section of the Office.  As the division manager, you will manage a division of 14 AAGs and 7 legal assistants who support the mission of the Office. The Public Safety Division represents the Commissioner of Public Safety on matters involving implied consent, revocations, forfeitures, and title matters; provide advice, counsel and representation to several boards; and respond to citizen inquiries. The work includes trials in district court, Office of Administrative Hearings, appellate advocacy, and civil litigation.

A successful candidate in this position will have the opportunity to support the mission of the Office by: 

• Managing the division’s employees, including hiring, onboarding, coaching, and evaluating team members 
• Managing cases, including assigning cases, providing direct work on cases, and reviewing draft submissions of others 

• Maintaining positive client relationships, whether internally or externally, through regular communication and coordination 
• Managing division operations, including setting division goals, attending regular management meetings, compiling reports and budgets, and communicating key issues to the executive team 

• Creating a positive and inclusive work environment in which the division can perform high quality legal work for the people of Minnesota 
• Leading the division in carrying out the Office’s mission 

This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA and licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain licensures within 90 days of hire 
• Six or more years of civil or criminal litigation experience
• Commitment to create a positive and inclusive work culture that obtains strong results 
• Proven ability to lead in an inclusive, creative, and collaborative work environment 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills (a cover letter including a writing sample of up to five pages is required with application) 
• Ability to travel to counties throughout the state 

IMPORTANT! All applicants must prepare two documents to upload and submit with their application: 1) Resume; and 2) A cover letter and writing sample (of up to five pages) together.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten or more years of complex civil litigation experience and/or in a law enforcement role
• Management experience
• Ability to critically examine, modify, and improve systems for caseload management
• Experience using electronic files, case management tools, and e-discovery platforms

How to Apply

Interested applicants must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the State’s official application and hiring site. The deadline for applications is Monday, September 11, 2023.

1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;
2. Apply for posting number 68817
3. Direct Link
4. Do not forget to upload: 1) Resume; and 2) A cover letter with a writing sample (of up to five pages).

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Jake Pleschourt at jake.pleschourt@ag.state.mn.us or (651) 757-1057.

Why Work For Us 

Diverse Workforce

Our differences make us stronger and leveraging them helps us create a workforce where everyone can thrive. The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility at our workplace. We do this by developing strong leaders and advocates, increasing cultural competence, fostering understanding among all employees, and removing institutional barriers and attitudes that prevent employees from advancing as far as their talents will take them. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), marital status, familial status, receipt of public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, or age.

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Paid parental leave
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Vision coverage
• Wellness programs and resources
• Employer paid life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Dependent care spending account
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive service to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at (651) 259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.