Salary range: $37.98 – $56.50 / hourly; $79,302 – $117,972 / annually

Closing date: 08/21/2024

Contact: If you have questions about this position, contact Patty Atchison at patty.atchison@state.mn.us

For full job description, requirements, benefits, and how to apply, please visit the Minnesota State Career Website (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers) and search for Job ID: 78757.

Job Summary

This posting will be used to fill two Associate General Counsel positions. These are new positions established to provide additional legal support to the Industrial Division and Resource Management and Assistance Division at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (“Agency”) regulates environmental pollution through the authority of state and federal statutes, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, RCRA, CERCLA/MERLA, MEPA, and other state and federal laws and rules. The Agency’s Legal Services Unit (LSU) provides legal support to state environmental programs that issue permits, conduct compliance and enforcement, and oversee investigation and remediation of contaminated sites. As an Associate General Counsel at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), you will provide legal, policy and programmatic advice to agency staff on environmental permitting, and compliance and enforcement in one of the assigned areas 1) solid waste and hazardous waste programs OR 2) assigned Industrial Division programs (including water quality and air quality programs). Associate General Counsel support MPCA program work by ensuring programs and policies are administered in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; researching and interpreting federal and state laws, regulations, and court cases; analyzing laws, regulations, literature and reports in order to develop and provide guidance for programs and procedures of the agency; developing and conducting technical training on legal matters associated with assigned agency programs and policies; and assisting the agency with rulemaking; developing, writing, and reviewing legislation for the agency.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must clearly demonstrate the following qualifications:
• Juris Doctor Degree with two years of experience in the practice of law with working knowledge of administrative or regulatory law.
• Current license and in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota.
• General knowledge of environmental laws and statutes, governmental organization, and legislative process.
• General knowledge of Minnesota Data Practices Act, Federal Freedom of Information Act, or other state law equivalents.
• General knowledge of records or document management and of Minnesota official records laws or other state law equivalents.
• Experience with or ability to develop, review, and analyze proposed legislation.
• Effective communication skills to work effectively with a wide range of people, including technical and scientific staff, and the ability to understand scientific and technical information and data.
• Self-motivated with ability to work collaboratively with other lawyers and program staff and to independently research and resolve legal and policy issues as they arise.
• The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will not sponsor applicants for work visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the application of federal and state environmental laws and regulations applicable to the work of the Agency.
• Experience with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, Federal Freedom of Information Act, or other state law equivalents.
• Experience or knowledge of the legislative process as well as developing, reviewing, and analyzing proposed legislation and legislative policy.
• Experience writing legal memoranda and other legal documents.
• Experience with management of large volumes of document and records.
• Experience with development of or participating in training programs.
• Experience with the Administrative Procedure Act and administrative process as it pertains to public participation, public hearing requirements and all other legal requirements.