• (Metro Square) Saint Paul, MN
• Full Time – $113,106.40 – $167,839.65 Annually
• Category: Legal
• Department: 30A01-Cnty Atty/Admin

Basic Function

The current vacancy is in the County Attorney’s Office department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department or County.

The Civil Division Director directly reports to the First Assistant County Attorney. This position leads a team of 26 professionals which includes Attorneys, Paralegals, Law Clerks and probate/non-probate Collections Enforcement Agent. This position will focus on work related to policies and practices of Ramsey County including civil law, proceedings and matters, and is not responsible to perform duties related to child support commitments, child protection, victim witness or criminal matters.  

BASIC FUNCTION:
To manage and direct the functions of the Civil Division 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.  

Flexible Workplace
This position is identified under the designation of ‘flex work eligible’, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county’s flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County’s Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy (Download PDF reader).

Covid 19
All job offers are conditioned on the candidate being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with a vaccine authorized for emergency use or FDA-approved.  You will be required to show proof of vaccination on or before your first day of employment and complete a form certifying that you are vaccinated.  Religious and medical exemptions or reasonable accommodations will be considered upon request as required by applicable law.

These positions will remain open for application until filled.  Applicants should respond promptly as an initial screening of resumes will occur on Monday, November 7th, 2022. Initial interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of Monday, November 14th, 2022.

If an internal candidate is selected, salary will be set in accordance with the 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 position, 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 Divisional 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 the delivery of annual performance appraisals for divisional staff. 
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 throughout Ramsey County on criminal justice policies and procedures of mutual interest within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney.        
9. Oversee and deliver training on laws, and divisional policies to various criminal justice stakeholder groups, including staff and law enforcement agencies.
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. Implement the division’s budget.
16. Develop and coordinate implementation of standards, control and policies necessary in the administration of the division and compliance with all applicable laws and rules.
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 adult 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 adult 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 adults. Supervise all legal proceeding involving the enforcement of child support and the establishment of paternity.
32. 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

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. 

Substitutions: None. Exam/Screening Process Information

These positions will remain open for application until filled.  Applicants should respond promptly as an initial screening of resumes will occur on Monday, November 7th, 2022. Initial interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of Monday, November 14th, 2022.

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.”

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. Please read below for further instructions.

Interested candidates may apply by completing the online application and submitting a letter of interest and resume. Your letter of interest should include a brief (one page) narrative describing your interest in this position, understanding of the duties, and why you feel you are a suitable candidate for the position.
 
The letter of interest, resume and the application may be sent electronically by attaching the materials to the online posting.  If you have difficulty uploading your materials, you may contact Jolie Vu at Gaohleechi.Vu@co.ramsey.mn.us for assistance.
 
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 this posting and answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.
 
For further information regarding this posting, please contact Gaohleechi.Vu@co.ramsey.mn.us. AgencyRamsey CountyAddress121 East Seventh Place
Suite 2100
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55101