• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 10/03/2023
• Closing Date: 10/23/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Employ & Econ Development Dept / Employ & Economic Dev-MAPE
• Division/Unit: UI Legal Affairs
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8am to 4:30pm
• Days of Work: Monday – Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $31.00 – $45.98 / hourly; $64,728 – $96,006 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 – MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• End Date: Up to three (3) years
• FLSA Status: Exempt – Professional
• Telework Eligible: Yes, this position may be eligible for some telework
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

Job Summary

The compensation attorney for the Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) will preside over and conduct unemployment insurance hearings as an unemployment law judge for single and multi – party matters, under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 268. The compensation attorney will issue written findings of fact, reasons for decision, and conclusions of law and other orders or subpoenas as appropriate. This position requires making decisions quickly and writing clear and well-reasoned decisions supported by the law within five (5) days of holding the hearing. The current caseload is approximately twenty-five (25) hearings per week. The compensation attorney needs strong communication skills to effectively control proceedings with single and multiple parties, including employers, employees, attorneys, and other witnesses, including the ability to clearly communicate complex legal concepts to unrepresented parties. The judge must also be highly skilled at questioning witnesses. The compensation attorney will also issue decisions on requests for reconsideration that are the department’s final decision and are directly appealable to the Minnesota Court of Appeals and will perform other duties as assigned.

The compensation attorney will be trained on unemployment insurance law, the unemployment insurance computer application system, and will be provided judicial training. The compensation attorney will be expected to navigate the computer application system. The compensation attorney must be highly skilled in interpersonal relations and will be expected to conduct hearings inconformity with applicable law and that meet constitutional requirements, under Minnesota Statutes, section 268.105. The compensation attorney must also adhere to federal quality guidelines and Department expectations when conducting hearings. Substantive issues in hearings include eligibility for unemployment benefits under state and federal programs, the effect of benefits paid on employer taxes and reimbursing accounts, determination of the proper employer tax rate, eligibility for federal and state extensions and other programs, the effect of receipt of earnings, severance pay, workers’ compensation benefits, retirement benefits, and other payments, and various other issues.

This position is expected to last up to three (3) years.

This posting may be used to fill multiple positions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

To receive credit for your education and experience, your resume should clearly describe how you meet each minimum and/or preferred qualification listed, including dates of employment.

Graduation from a law school accredited by the ABA (American Bar Association), licensed, and in good standing to practice law in the State of Minnesota prior to appointment. 

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

Experience in meeting deadlines.

Ability to analyze statutes and apply the facts to the facts to the law so as to make an accurate legal decision and write using plain language. 

Ability to receive supervisory feedback and proactively incorporate into hearings and decisions.

Ability to navigate the computer application system and draft own decisions. 

Maintain professionalism and respect when engaging with both internal colleagues and external clients, fostering positive working relationships and client trust.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience clerking for a state or federal judge.

Labor law or employment law experience and experience in representing clients in or presiding over unemployment benefit hearings.

Courtroom/trial experience including voir dire or direct or cross-examination of witnesses, deposition or arbitration experience, and experience as a mediator.

Experience that demonstrates the skill set necessary to issue legal decisions that include the legal issues to be decided, the findings of fact, reason for decision, and legal conclusion, within five (5) calendar days of holding the hearing.

Fluency in another language, especially Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Khmer, Russian, Lao, Vietnamese, or Karen.

Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of the following:

Resumes of all applicants to this posting will be evaluated against the Minimum Qualifications stated above. If your skills match the required skills for this position, the department may contact you. Employee reference checks will be conducted on all finalists. This may include a review of documentation related to job performance and education. It includes contact with the applicant’s current and/or former employers.

A Criminal Background Check will be conducted on all finalists for this position. A criminal conviction will not automatically remove you from consideration for employment.

When the position requires travel and the applicant drives a state owned or leased vehicle, a driver’s license record check will be conducted.

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

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 job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Nick Remme-Ong at nick.remme-ong@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 Nick Remme-Ong at talent.acquisition.deed@state.mn.us.

The Department of Employment and Economic Development is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer, and encourages all qualified candidates to apply for job opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application and search tools, please contact Karen Lilledahl at karen.lilledahl@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

About Department of Employment and Economic Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is the State of Minnesota’s principal economic development agency. DEED’s mission is simple: to empower the growth of the Minnesota economy, for everyone. Our state’s economy is diverse and dynamic, enriched by creative entrepreneurs, established Fortune 500 companies, and a labor force that brings the Minnesota values of hard work and integrity to work every day. At DEED we live our values by; focusing on the customer, communicating early and often, seeking solutions, creating inclusion, encouraging new ideas, and being gracious.

DEED Is a Yellow Ribbon Agency. A Yellow Ribbon organization unites and coordinates all key areas within an organization to create a comprehensive network to proactively support servicemembers, veterans and military families.

Why Work for Us

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule

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:

• Public pension plan
• Training and professional development
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 11 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)
• Tuition reimbursement
• 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.

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AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. 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 and indicate what assistance is needed.