Assistant County Attorney

Position Summary

The current vacancy is in the County Attorney's Office. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department. The basic function depending on assignment, is to provide legal services to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners and other Ramsey County boards, commissions and departments; to prosecute criminal cases and provide legal representation in civil lawsuits; to provide legal services in the area of child support enforcement, paternity proceedings, foster care reimbursement; all child protection and mental health and chemical dependency commitment matters; and to perform related duties as assigned. To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Job Descriptions. Once on this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

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.

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. Recommend the disposition of cases to judges, referees, arbitrators and administrative law judges.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from an accredited college of law. Experience: Three years of experience as a practicing attorney. Other: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and completion of 45 credits of continuing legal education every three years. Substitutions: None.

Exam/Screening Process Information

The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated: Training and Experience Rating = 100%. The examination for Assistant County Attorney will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions – do not mark 'see resume' or'see work history' as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who have submitted a completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as an Associate County Attorney. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Applicants will remain on the list for 60 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted. Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

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 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, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Benefits

Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at (Download PDF reader)

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance – three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance – two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance – Advantage Plan offered
• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan
• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay
• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years