County Attorney Assistant Division Director (Unclassified)

Full Job Description

The Office of the Ramsey County Attorney seeks a highly motivated professional with sound judgment, attention to detail and accuracy, excellent writing skills and a deep commitment and interest in public safety and criminal justice issues.

To assist in managing and directing the functions of a designated division (Pre-Trial Justice Division; Criminal Division; Juvenile Division; Civil Division; Victim, Witness and Community Services Division; Human Services Legal Division; or Child Support Services 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 assist in the supervision and direction of division staff in carrying out the mission of the assigned division; to perform designated non-managerial functions specific to the functions of the division to which assigned; and to perform related duties as assigned.

The current vacancy is in the Child Support Division of the County Attorney's Office. Candidates who apply to this vacancy may be considered for future openings within the different divisions in the County Attorney's Office.

This unclassified position will report directly to the County Attorney and the Chief Deputy and will be responsible for coordinating various policy development projects and assignments related to public safety and criminal justice policy issues that are requested by the County Attorney as described below.

It is anticipated that the position will also supervise other positions in the office that have a primary focus on enhancing employee wellness, providing leadership and staff development, and advancing equity to ensure our workplace culture is healthy and inclusive of all staff.

Click here to learn more about this position.

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.

Flexible Workplace

This position offers a flex schedule, meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least four days per week are performed in office and remaining day 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.

Requirements

1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
2. Direct community outreach relationships and programs to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
3. Assist the division director in the supervision and management of all functions of the division to which assigned, and function as division director in the director's absence.
4. Perform designated specialized non-supervisory functions relating to the functions of the division to which assigned.
5. Conduct performance appraisals on attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, investigators, advocates, child support enforcement staff, support staff, and office managers/supervisors.
6. Assist in the supervision of attorneys, law clerks, paralegals, investigators, advocates, support staff, child support supervisors and child support enforcement 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.
7. Conduct/participate in meetings of Division, County Attorney's Management Team, other Management Teams within Ramsey County and other Ramsey County committees.
8. Upon the request of the County Attorney, provide public information by speaking to media, individual citizens or 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.
9. 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, citizens groups, state-wide groups, State Government groups and the Legislature by providing research and legal information.
10. Communicate with all law enforcement agencies on criminal justice policies and procedures of mutual interest within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney.
11. Provide training in the law, state and federal regulations, and in all areas of responsibility within the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. Supervise the preparation of periodic reports and caseload analyses.
18. Interpret policies and procedures to subordinate supervisors, explain their applications and ensure that they are followed by staff.
19. Identify and meet the training needs of staff in order to meet program goals.
20. Develop standards, contracts and policies necessary in the administration of the division.
21. Assist the division director by developing, implementing and revising policies and procedures necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable statues and rules.
22. Assist the division director in developing 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.
23. Assist the division director in supervising grant-funded programs and preparing all reports necessary to comply with the requirements of all local, state, or federal grants.
24. Assist the division director in supervising extradition of adult and juvenile offenders 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 their offenders residing in Ramsey County; and preparing extradition documents for signature by the Governor or United States State Department.
25. Assist the division director in supervising the implementation of the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Act by approving or declining the return and prosecution of prisoners 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.
26. 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.
27. Assist the division director in the establishment of guidelines and criteria for the pre-court diversion of adult and juvenile offenders and, in specific cases, approve or decline the diversion of offenders who request alternative resolution of their cases.
28. Assist the division director in supervising the implementation of various Interstate Compacts including the Interstate Compact on Witnesses and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles by: assisting foreign jurisdictions in compelling witness 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.
29. Assist the division director in supervising 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.
30. Assist the division director in evaluating, developing, preparing and presenting the division's budget recommendations to the County Attorney.
31. Assist the division director in implementing, supervising, monitoring and modifying the division budget.
32. Assist the division director in enforcing 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.
33. Supervise the selection and impaneling of the Ramsey County Grand Jury; provide legal advice to the grand jury and present cases for its review.
34. Assist the division director in supervising the prosecution of juvenile and adult offenders, including the decision to certify a juvenile to stand trial as an adult and/or to refer an offender for federal prosecution.
35. Assist the division director in supervising all legal proceedings involving the enforcement of child support and the establishment of paternity.
36. Assist the division director in supervising 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, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36

Qualifications

For Assistant Division Directors in Child Support Services Division:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in public administration, business administration or a related field.

Experience: Six years of administrative/managerial experience in a comparable environment.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and experience.

For Assistant Division Directors in Pre-Trial Justice

Education: Graduation from an accredited college of law.

Experience: Six years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Substitution: Related legal experience in the area assigned may substitute for up to three years of the practicing attorney experience. Certifications/Licensure: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and completion of 45 credits of legal education every three years.

Additional Information

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.

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." Interested candidates should apply online by completing the online application prior to the close date listed and attaching a resume and cover letter detailing their experience.

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

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce.

The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees.

Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide, will receive them.

Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click Paper Application. 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 Megan.Simmons@co.ramsey.mn.us