Who May Apply: Open to all qualified applicants

Date Posted: 12/12/2023

Closing Date: 1/2/2024

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

Telework Eligible: Yes, Hybrid

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 Wage Theft Division, which is housed in the Consumer Protection Section of the Office.  As the Division Manager, you will manage a division of

AAGs and investigators who lead enforcement actions focused on unlawful wage and hour practices that target vulnerable and low-wage workers across the state, including immigrant communities and people of color.  In this position, you would be at the forefront of cutting-edge labor enforcement work that has a direct, measurable impact on the lives of Minnesota workers.

Wage theft attorneys can expect to participate in high-profile investigations and litigation in industries such as the gig economy, hospitality and restaurants, construction, healthcare and agriculture.  Such cases include, for example:  State v. Shipt, Inc. (allegations of misclassification of gig-economy “shoppers” as independent contractors); In re Bartmann Companies (failure to pay overtime and back wages to restaurant employees); and State v. Property Maintenance & Construction, LLC, et al. (allegations of intimidating construction workers from cooperating with investigation).

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 leading a team of attorneys who complement and cover for each other.  As the Division Manager you will lead your own investigations and guide AAGs and investigators through all aspects of civil litigation, including discovery, motion practice, oral argument, and resolving cases through trial or negotiated settlements.  The Division’s attorneys and investigators are all expected to manage their caseloads to ensure matters are moving expeditiously.  They are also expected to engage in public education and outreach to impacted communities, stakeholders, and advocates.  As a result, you will need to be able to interact with and understand persons from diverse backgrounds, languages, and cultures.

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 investigators, and ensuring ongoing training, leadership opportunities, and mentorship opportunities to support their growth.

A successful candidate in this position demonstrates commitment to public service, has strong management skills, is detail-oriented, creative, a problem solver, has a strong initiative and work ethic, and enjoys 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
• Past work or similar experience with diverse communities

Preferred Qualifications

• Five or more years of past experience in an attorney manager or law enforcement role
• Wage Theft or Labor Law experience
• Experience:
  • handling matters involving wage theft issues and/or knowledge of state and federal labor regulation
  • 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 wage theft, including employment law, economics, business, or other related fields
• Second-language proficiency in languages spoken by Minnesota’s immigrant communities

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 five pages) together.

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 Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

1. Go to www.mn.gov/careers;
2. Apply for posting number 72072

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.