Metropolitan Council

WHO WE ARE

This posting is open continuously. However, it may close any time after Monday, November 11, 2024. Priority will be given to applications received on or before November 11, 2024.

This position is eligible for a hybrid (both remote up to two days per week and onsite) telework arrangement. Candidate's permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website. 

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. 

The Office of General Counsel provides legal representation, guidance, analysis, and services to the Council, its Chair, members and committees, the Regional Administrator and staff; protects the legal rights of the Council and assists in achieving its objectives; helps develop and implement Council policies; and helps the Council fulfill its responsibilities within applicable legal, auditing, and jurisdictional authorities.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

Associate General Counsel generally work in the following substantive areas as well as litigation: employment law, data practices and open meeting law, contracts and procurement, construction law, environmental law, real property, and comprehensive planning and land use. This position will have a focus on employment law and data practices, with other work as assigned. The selected candidate will work with a team of six other attorneys supporting the five divisions of the Council. They will also work closely with the Council's Data Practices Office. The Associate General Counsel will be responsible for providing expert legal advice on employment law, data practices issues, discrimination and ADA claims by customers, and handling/managing state and federal employment-related litigation, administrative hearings, and various other matters. These primary work areas may change depending on the needs of the Council.

What you would do in this job

• Provide legal advice on employment and labor related matters, such as: employment discrimination and ADA compliance, human resources issues, wage and hour law, unemployment and other state agency claims, employee discipline, employee benefits, employment agreements and policy-related issues, FMLA matters, data practices, severance agreements, and drug and alcohol testing.
• Provide legal advice on other issues, such as matters related to the equal and fair treatment of customers, customer discrimination complaints, and ADA compliance.
• Conduct efficient and thorough legal research and analysis on federal, state, and local employment laws that affect Council policies, programs, and operations. Interpret, apply, and explain relevant rules, regulations, policies and procedures to courts, lawyers and non-lawyers, including the Council and its staff. Draft clear, understandable memoranda.
• Represent the Council in unemployment hearings, state and federal litigation, administrative hearings, grievances, arbitrations, and veterans' preference hearings regarding various matters of employment, civil rights, data practices, or other matters as assigned.
• Manage and work with outside counsel in litigation, representation before government regulatory agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, and Department of Labor and Industry, or in providing legal advice.
• Identify and assess legal risks within the employment and labor areas and advise accordingly.
• Review, advise, and assist with drafting of Council policies and procedures related to employment.
• Participate on the Threat Management Team.
• Draft employment-related legislation and legislative amendments and monitor employment-related legislative activities affecting the Council and its operations.

What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)

A JD degree from a law school and seven years of recent experience in the practice of law, including either three years of recent experience as an employment lawyer providing advice in or to the public sector, OR five years of recent employment law experience. This experience can be in providing advice, litigation, or a combination of both.

Licensing Requirement: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and in good standing. 

What additional skills and experience would be helpful in this job (desired qualifications):

• Preference given to those with substantive or litigation employment experience in Minnesota in a governmental setting or representing governmental entities.
• Experience in a unionized and/or transit or transportation services environment.
• Strong advocacy, negotiation, interpersonal, legal research, and verbal and written communication skills.
• Current admission to practice in the Federal District Court of Minnesota.
• Experience promoting an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values culture and diversity among all employees.

What knowledge, skills and abilities you should have:

Knowledge of:

• A broad variety of employment law issues.
• Civil and governmental law (including data practices and open meeting law, contract law, federal, state, and local administrative law.
• Laws, rules, and regulations that govern or affect the Council and its operations.

Ability to:

• Perform legal research in a variety of employment law and other matters. Interpret, apply, and explain the relevant rules, regulations, policies and procedures to courts, lawyers, and nonlawyers.
• Master new areas of legal subject matter and solve problems.
• Plan, organize, and perform work effectively, as part of a team, or independently, and in a timely manner.
• Prepare and represent the Council or oversee outside counsel in civil litigation and administrative law hearings.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain collaborative, cooperative, and effective working relationships with others.
• Promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees. 

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area. 
• We encourage our employees to develop and enhance their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement. 
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Additional information

Union/Grade: Non-represented/ Grade K

FLSA Status: Exempt

Safety Sensitive: No

What your work environment would be:

Work is performed in a standard law office setting in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. Occasional travel between primary work site to other sites. Currently, Office of General Counsel attorneys telework up to two days per week. 

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications. 
2. We rate your education and experience. 
3. We conduct a structured panel interview. 
4. We conduct a selection interview.

Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:

If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (safety sensitive positions only), and a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the job. If you have a criminal conviction, you do not automatically fail. The Metropolitan Council considers felony, gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor convictions on a case-by-case basis, based on whether they are related to the job and whether the candidate has demonstrated adequate rehabilitation.

If you are already an employee of the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a drug test (if moving from a non-safety sensitive position to a safety sensitive position) and criminal background check if the job you're applying for is safety sensitive, is a supervisory or management job, is in the Finance, Information Services, Audit, or Human Resources departments, or has access to financial records, files/databases, cash, vouchers or transit fare cards. A driving record check and/or physical may be conducted if applicable to the position.

IMPORTANT: If you make a false statement or withhold information, you may be barred from job consideration.

The Metropolitan Council is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and veteran-friendly employer. The Council is committed to a workforce that reflects the diversity of the region and strongly encourages persons of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply.

If you have a disability that requires accommodation during the selection process, please email HR-OCCHealth@metc.state.mn.us.

We believe our employees are a key to our agency's success! In order to attract and retain high quality employees, the Council provides a highly competitive benefits package both in choice and coverage levels. Some highlights about our benefits are listed below:

• Guaranteed monthly retirement income through Minnesota State Retirement System pension fund
• Opportunity to save additional funds for retirement on a tax-deferred basis through a voluntary deferred compensation (457) plan
• Two or more medical plans from which to choose, with employer contribution towards premiums over 80%
• Dental insurance, life insurance and vision insurance

The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:

• Well@Work clinic
• bus/rail pass valued at over $1200 per year
• parking at many job locations
• fitness centers at many job locations
• Employee Assistance Program
• extensive health and wellness programs and resources

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