Closing Date: 2nd May, 2024
Description:
Basic Function:The current vacancy is in the County Attorney's Department. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.
This position is for a Labor and Employment Attorney who will be assigned to the Civil Division of the A Government Entity Attorney's Office. The Labor and Employment Attorney for A Government Entity performs professional legal work of a high degree of difficulty and complexity as a confidential, non-represented attorney in support of the County's Human Resources and Labor Relations activities. This Attorney would meet the statutory definition of a confidential employee under Minnesota's Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA) 179A.
The Labor and Employment Attorney will represent A Government Entity and advise the County Board, Human Resources Department and Labor Relations Manager, and other County clients, on labor and employment law issues by conducting legal research and prepare legal opinions on issues for pending lawsuits and administrative matters. The Labor and Employment Attorney for A Government Entity will prepare lawsuits for trial and try cases relating to employment, personnel, civil rights, governmental authority, civil rights actions and personnel matters in State and Federal court and before administrative agencies, law judges and arbitrators.
This Attorney will advise and assist in drafting personnel policies and labor agreements, provide legal advice to the Director of Human Resources, the Human Resource Deputies and Labor Relations Manager, as well as other officials of the County. The Labor and Employment Attorney will provide legal consultation on administration of the Collective Bargaining Agreements and when requested, will actively participate in meetings and negotiations with the Labor Relations Manager on behalf of the County. This Attorney will also advise the Human Resources Department on the legal implications of labor relations and human resources management activities, including but not limited to, negotiations, mediation, interest, arbitration, grievance arbitration and personnel policy compliance. The Labor and Employment Attorney will assist in developing labor relations information as defined in Minnesota Statute 13.37 and personnel data as defined in Minnesota Statute 13.43.
Prepare lawsuits for trial and try cases relating to employment, personnel, civil rights, governmental authority, civil rights actions and personnel matters in State and Federal court and before administrative agencies, law judges and arbitrators., including but not limited to, negotiations, mediation, interest arbitration, grievance arbitration and personnel policy compliance. Represent the County in any subsequent administrative or judicial proceedings relating to such human resources or labor relations and employment activities.
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 (https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Departments/Policy%20and%20Planning/Flexible%20Workplace%20Policy%20May%202022.pdf) (Download PDF reader) (https://www.ramseycounty.us/sites/default/files/Departments/Policy%20and%20Planning/Flexible%20Workplace%20Policy%20May%202022.pdf)
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 A Government Entity job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions (http://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ramsey/classspecs). Once at this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Examples of Work Performed:
- Prepare cases for judicial and administrative proceedings by interviewing clients and witnesses, investigating facts, researching law, drafting pleadings, subpoenaing and interviewing witnesses, analyzing the opposition's case, and writing legal memoranda and briefs.
- Try assigned criminal or civil cases and represent the County at judicial hearings by presenting facts, analyzing evidence and information as it is conveyed during the proceedings, and adjusting the County's case as necessary; make recommendations on whether to file appeals.
- Determine whether to charge, drop charges or negotiate pleas by analyzing facts in relation to established charging or plea negotiation standards; contact crime victims in accordance with the Victim's Rights Act.
- Advise less experienced staff attorneys on matters of trial strategy, analysis and presentation of evidence, case negotiation or other matters of law; assign work to and review, revise and discuss the legal opinions, pleadings, strategies and settlements of law clerks; direct the work of clerical staff in the preparation of legal documents.
- Negotiate contracts, leases, lawsuit settlements or similar legal matters by assessing clients' needs, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of clients' and opponents' bargaining positions and meeting with opponents' representatives so that the clients' objectives can be reached at minimal cost.
- Analyze legislation, case law, legal publications and other relevant literature in order to maintain accurate, current information on legal developments in all areas of law.
- Prepare legal opinions and plan litigation in order to resolve immediate issues and to establish a basis for resolving future matters of a similar nature.
- Draft proposed legislation and respond to inquiries in relation to proposed legislation.
- Provide training and advice to law enforcement officers, attorneys, corrections workers, social workers, and other relevant parties in areas of investigation, trial techniques, criminal and civil law, strategy, and legal issues pertinent to the area of assignment.
- Prepare appellate briefs by analyzing issues, reviewing transcripts and doing necessary legal research; make oral arguments to appellate courts.
- Recommends the disposition of cases to judges, referees, arbitrators and administrative law judges.
(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, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college of law.
Experience: Five years of experience as a practicing attorney.
Certifications/Licensure: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and completion of 45 credits of continuing legal education every three years.
