Salary $110,880.47 – $164,536.58 Annually

Location (Lowry Building-345 Wabasha St N) Saint Paul, MN

Job TypeFull Time

Department30A01-Cnty Atty/Admin

Job Number0525-20/10-002

Closing: Continuous The posting will remain open until it is filled, but we are encouraging anyone interested to apply by November 20, 2020 as we will be reviewing the applicants who have applied by that date and setting up interviews with qualified applicants.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/Ramsey/jobs/2885318/division-director-county-attorney-unclassified-youth-justice-and-wellness-div?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Basic Function

To manage and direct the functions of a designated division (Pretrial; Trial; Youth Justice & Wellness; Civil; Victim, Witness & Postconviction Justice; or Human Services Legal Divisions) of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney; to participate as a member of the County Attorney’s Management Team in the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures for carrying out the responsibilities of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney; to supervise and direct all division staff in carrying out the mission of the assigned division; and to perform related duties as assigned.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE CURRENT VACANCY:    
We are seeking a new director for our Youth Justice & Wellness division, who reports to our Chief Deputy and will be primarily responsible for:

• managing a staff team of 18 attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, a data analyst and support staff to achieve to their full potential;
• overseeing efforts to support and restoratively respond to youth referred to the justice system due to delinquency matters, chronic absenteeism, running away from home and/or experiencing other adversity in their lives;
• helping to lead diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to continually develop our staff’s sense of cultural humility and intercultural skills, racial and cultural awareness, and respect of one another and the residents we serve; promoting a healthy workplace culture in which all staff feel included and can bring their whole selves to work; supporting efforts to reduce structural inequities across race, class and culture including recruiting and retaining employees of color and those in under-resourced communities;
• leading the implementation of our efforts to (re)imagine justice for youth by transforming the legal system to respond more restoratively to youth referred for delinquency matters through working collaboratively with community and system partners to: identify and address underlying challenges individual youth and families face; determine how best to repair any harm caused and promote healing; and provide supportive resources to prevent harmful behavior from recurring, prevent displacement of youth from their families, and help youth and families succeed;
• analyzing data and using it both to measure performance of staff and to inform steps necessary to continuously improve services for youth and families;
• collaborating and communicating with our community to co-create justice, proactively educate our residents, respond to questions or concerns and help explain the law and how the legal system works;
• providing leadership to the division as well as to the office, as a member of the County Attorney’s Management Team, and when representing the County Attorney on committees pertaining to the health and welfare of children at local and state levels; and
• responsibly managing the division’s budget, in concert with the County Attorney.

For more information regarding this position click on this link. (Download PDF reader)
If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with personnel rules (i.e. promotion, transfer, or voluntary reduction).

To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this job, go to: Job Descriptions. Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.Examples of Work Performed

1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
2. Direct community outreach relationships and programs to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
3. Supervise attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, investigators, advocates, support staff, child support supervisors and child support enforcement staff by reviewing, evaluating, revising and discussing work product and policy, legal opinions, charging decisions, and litigation pleadings, strategies and settlements, so that legal positions and office policies are thoughtful, accurate, consistent and well-communicated.
4. Conduct performance appraisals on attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, investigators, advocates, child support enforcement staff, support staff, assistant directors, and office managers/supervisors.
5. Conduct/participate in meetings of Division, County Attorney’s Management Team, other Management Teams within Ramsey County and other Ramsey County committees.
6. Upon the request of the County Attorney, provide public information by speaking to media, individual resident or community groups, and respond to questions and complaints from the public to facilitate understanding of the functions of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney and the law.
7. Serve as a resource and task force or committee participant for appropriate entities such as law enforcement organizations, Council on Abuse, Child Abuse Team, County Attorney’s Association, medical community, community groups, state-wide groups, State Government groups and the Legislature by providing research and legal information.
8. Communicate with all law enforcement agencies on criminal justice policies and procedures of mutual interest within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney.
9. Provide training in the law, state and federal regulations, and in all areas of responsibility within the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney.
10. Advise clients in writing, in person, or on telephone after obtaining facts from clients and researching applicable law so that clients may formulate policy in conformity with law and with knowledge of legal risks.
11. Draft legal documents such as contracts, leases, pleadings, etc. by obtaining objectives from client, researching law and writing documents so that it both conforms to law and meets client’s objectives.
12. Draft legislation by determining client’s or public policy objectives and drafting appropriate language; monitor legislative problems and communicate any problems with legislation along with suggested solutions to legislative liaison.
13. Participate in policy making and setting policy within Division and within the office as a whole, to include establishing and implementing charging standards, plea negotiation standards, sentencing procedures, and collection and enforcement policy, subject to the direction and approval of the Ramsey County Attorney.
14. Study and analyze existing systems, make recommendations for improvements, implement change and innovation, such as converting manual operations to automated systems or establishing new procedures for managing contracts, litigation, specific collection functions or administrative hearings.
15. Coordinate the division’s budget.
16. Develop and coordinate implementation of standards, control and policies necessary in the administration of the division.
17. Establish, review and modify procedures appropriate with trends, good practices and general policies of the department.
18. Develop, implement and revise policies and procedures necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes and rules.
19. Develop innovative programs to address matters of public safety, crime prevention and intervention, civil law and child support and seek additional funding for these innovative programs by applying for local, state, and federal grant funds.
20. Supervise grant-funded programs and prepare all reports necessary to comply with the requirements of the local, state, or federal grant.
21. Supervise extradition of adults and youth by: approving or declining extradition of these individuals from other states and foreign jurisdictions for return to Ramsey County; assisting other states and foreign jurisdictions in the return of people residing in Ramsey County; and preparing extradition documents for signature by the Governor or United States State Department.
22. Supervise the implementation of the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Act by approving or declining the return and prosecution of people in Minnesota state correctional facilities, foreign state facilities, and United States correctional facilities on criminal charges originating in Ramsey County and by supervising the preparation of appropriate documents required under the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Act.
23. Recommend to the court or oppose the reinstatement and forfeiture of bail in the amount of money that is just and appropriate for payment to Ramsey County or the State of Minnesota.
24. Establish guidelines and criteria for the pre-court diversion of adults and youth and, in specific cases, approve or decline the diversion of people who request alternative resolution of their cases.
25. Supervise the implementation of various Interstate Compacts including the Interstate Compact on Witnesses and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles by: assisting foreign jurisdictions in compelling witnesses residing in Ramsey County to return to the demanding state to testify; by approving the return to Ramsey County of essential witnesses residing in foreign jurisdictions; and by approving or declining the payment of money for transportation, food and lodging of these witnesses.
26. Supervise the selection of expert witnesses needed to testify in criminal and civil cases and authorizing the expenditure of money to be paid to these witnesses.
27. Make recommendations to the County Attorney concerning retention of outside counsel.
28. Negotiate outside counsel fees.
29. Enforce policies of the County Attorney and County Board.
30. Enforce employment policies and procedures including but not limited to: evaluating and making recommendations on candidates for employment and promotion; making recommendations and enforcing disciplinary actions; and supervising the enforcement of performance improvement plans.
31. Supervise the prosecution of youth and/or adults.
32. Supervise all legal proceeding involving the enforcement of child support and the establishment of paternity.
33. Supervise all legal matters involving child protection, civil commitments, and other areas of civil law which are the responsibility of the County Attorney.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this description and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification.  Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31.Minimum Qualifications

For Division Directors in Pre-Trial Justice; Youth Justice & Wellness; Civil, Victim, Witness and Postconviction Justice; or Human Services Legal Divisions:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college of law.

Experience: Seven years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Certifications/Licensure: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and completion of 45 credits of legal education every three years.

Substitution:  None.

For Division Director in Child Support Services Division:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:  Seven years administrative/managerial experience in a comparable environment. 

Substitution:  Experience may substitute for education, and education for experience on a year-for-year basis.

Certifications/Licensure: None.Exam/Screening Process Information

To Apply: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; applicants should respond promptly as the initial screening of application materials will occur on Friday, November 20, 2020. Please complete an on-line application at Ramsey County Jobs and attach a resume and cover letter detailing your experience including the size of the organization, scope of budget and responsibility for staff supervision.

Examination/Screening Process:  This is an unclassified, at-will position, holding a confidential relation to the department head or elected official.  This position requires an open screening and selection process.  There is no exam for this unclassified, at-will, position.  All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the department for consideration.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

E-Verify Participation:
Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on the Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance or national origin.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application (Download PDF reader). You will need to print off this posting and also answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them if you complete a paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact Mirian Simpson by email at mirian.simpson@ramseycounty.us or by phone at (651) 266-2711.Definition of Unclassified from the Ramsey County Personnel Act:

Subdivision 1.General. “The appointing authority may discharge employees in the unclassified service with or without cause. Employees in the unclassified service have no right to a grievance appeal from discharge or other disciplinary action under sections 383A.281 to 383A.301. An employee in an unclassified position shall not have tenure but shall be entitled to all benefits associated with tenure such as vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance, and other benefits as determined by the county board.”