Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants

Date Posted: 9/29/2023

Closing Date: 10/16/2023

M3 Salary Level:  $61.30 – $93.39 / hourly; $127,994 – $194,998 / annually

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 Residential Utilities Division, which is housed in the Consumer Protection Section of the Office.  As the division manager, you will manage a division of

AAGs (currently three) and analysts (currently three) who advocate for residential and small business consumers in matters involving natural gas, electric, and telephone utility service in administrative and litigation proceedings and before the Legislature.  The Division also investigates potential violations of consumer protection laws and takes enforcement action in appropriate matters.

RUD attorneys can expect to participate in high-profile rate proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission and the state appellate courts.  Such cases include, for example:  the Xcel Energy Electric rate case (helped reduce a proposed $678 million rate increase by $372 million) and the investigation into costs associated with the February 2021 natural gas price spike (helped save ratepayers almost $60 million in imprudently incurred gas costs during Winter Storm Uri).

This position offers engaging, interesting, and fulfilling work.  The attorney division manager is responsible for overseeing the work of the division, including balancing the staffing needs of various investigations and cases with the interests and experience of AAGs in particular subjects and industries.  The attorney division manager is also tasked with management of the professional development of the division’s AAGs and analysts, and ensuring ongoing training, leadership opportunities, and mentorship opportunities to support their growth.

If you are offered this position, you can expect to have a great deal of responsibility for and control over your daily work while also working with teams of attorneys and analysts who complement and cover for each other.  The division’s attorneys and analysts are all expected to manage their caseloads to ensure matters are moving expeditiously.  The division’s attorneys and analysts are also expected to engage in public education and outreach to impacted communities, stakeholders, and advocates.

A successful candidate in this position will have strong management skills and must be detail-oriented, creative, a problem solver, have a strong initiative and work ethic, and enjoy working within a fast-paced team-oriented community. 

This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA
• Licensed to practice in the State of Minnesota or ability to obtain licensure within 90 days of hire
• Outstanding writing, research, and oral advocacy skills (submission of a writing sample is required)
• Six or more years of litigation or administrative law experience
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders
• Experience using electronic files, case management tools, and e-discovery platforms
• Management skills for overseeing attorneys, analysts, other professionals, litigation, and/or investigations
•  

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of complex civil litigation or administrative law experience, or past experience in an attorney manager or law enforcement role
• Utilities law experience in Minnesota
• Experience:
  • handling matters involving utility law issues and/or knowledge of state and federal utility regulation; or
  • investigating and building cases for litigation, including government civil law enforcement actions, consumer protection matters, or criminal prosecutions
• Experience or academic background in concepts relevant to utilities regulation, including accounting, economics, or other related fields

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 ten pages) together.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move and transport such articles as files, laptop computer and resource materials weighing up to 20 pounds

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, October 16, 2023.

1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;
2. Apply for posting number 69991
3. Direct Link

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 K.C. Moua at kc.moua@ag.state.mn.us or (651) 757-1279.

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.