Assistant or Associate General Counsel
Salary
See Position Description
Location
390 Robert St. N St. Paul, MN
Job Type
Full-Time
Remote Employment
Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number
2026-00232
Division
Regional Administration
Department
Legal Administration
Opening Date
06/17/2026
Closing Date
7/5/2026 11:59 PM Central
WHO WE ARE
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:
Assistant and Associate General Counsel generally work in litigation and advising in the following substantive areas: comprehensive planning and land use, intergovernmental contracting, public contracts and procurement, construction law, data practices and open meeting law, employment law, environmental law, and real property law. This position will have a wide variety of work (both transactional and litigation) with an expected emphasis on tort law, housing (including Housing and Redevelopment Authority regulations), real estate, e-discovery and technology, contracts, and construction law. These primary work areas may change depending on the needs of the Council.
Associate General Counsel is more experienced and expected to handle more complex work than Assistant General Counsel.
Note: This position is eligible for a hybrid (remote up to two days per week) telework arrangement after the six-month probationary period. Candidates permanent residence must be in Minnesota or Wisconsin.
This posting will establish a 6-month eligibility list for current and future positions.
What you would do in this job
What education and experience are required for this job (minimum qualifications)
Assistant General Counsel
A JD degree from an accredited law school and at least three (3) years of experience practicing law within the past ten (10) years. At least one of the required years should include experience practicing tort law.
Associate General Counsel
A JD degree from an accredited law school and at least seven (7) years of experience practicing law within the past ten (10) years. At least one of the required years should include experience practicing tort law.
License Requirement:
License 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):
Assistant General Counsel position level: More than 3 years of experience practicing law.
Associate General Counsel position level: More than 7 years of experience practicing law.
Ability to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees.
Current admission to practice in the Federal District Court of Minnesota.
Strong legal research and writing skills in a variety of subject areas.
Substantive and litigation experience in Minnesota in a governmental setting or representing governmental entities with a concentration in one or more of the following areas within the last 10 years:
Tort Law - litigation defense and overseeing claims handlers or outside counsel; preference for government tort defense issues including application of the tort cap and governmental and other immunities.
E-Discovery and Technology- e-discovery, data preservation and collection, data security, and artificial intelligence.
Real Property Law - land acquisition and disposal, condemnation, relocation benefits, and purchase and lease agreements for public projects.
Public Contracts and Procurement-public contracts for goods and services, public construction contracts involving state and federal financing/grant and loan funds, and intergovernmental agreements.
Housing-representing a Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Construction Law-large public projects, primarily transit and wastewater treatment projects.
Environmental Law-knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations related to air and water, and environmental review processes. 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 within the first six months on the job:
Knowledge of:
Ability to:
What you can expect from us:
More about why you should join us!
Additional information
Assistant General Counsel
Union/Grade: Non-represented / Grade I
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $46.40- $75.30Hourly; $96,512.00- $156,624.00 Annually
Associate General Counsel
Union/Grade: Non-represented / Grade K
FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No
Full Salary Range: $53.76 - $87.25 Hourly; $111,820.80 - $181,480.00 Annually
What your work environment would be:
Work is performed in a standard law office setting. Some assignments may require travel to other sites. Currently, Office of General Counsel attorneys telework up to two days per week.
What steps the recruitment process involves:
Once you have successfully completed the steps above, then:
If you are new to the Metropolitan Council, you must pass a background check which verifies education, employment, and criminal history. 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 background check which verifies education and employment if not verified previously. If the job youre 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, you must pass a criminal background check. 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.
This position involves access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI) as defined by the FBI CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) Security Policy. In accordance with section 5.12.1.1 of the FBI Security Policy, all applicants must agree to a state of residence and national fingerprint-based record check. If the result of the record check reveals criminal convictions, the nature and circumstances of those convictions will be reviewed by the Metropolitan Transit Police Department and/or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to determine if access to Criminal Justice Information will be permissible. If it is determined that access to Criminal Justice Information would not be permissible, the candidate will no longer be considered for 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 agencys 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:
The following benefits are provided to all employees as part of working for the Council. You will have access to free:
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Applicant Instructions: It is important that your application shows all relevant education and experience you possess. The supplemental questions listed below are to further evaluate your education and experience and to determine your eligibility for this position. Answer each question completely, and please do not type "see resume." Otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete, and you will not receive further consideration for this position. The experience you indicate in your responses should also be consistent with the Work History section of this application. If you attach a resume and/or cover letter to your application, it will be reviewed at the education and experience review step. I have read and understand the above instructions regarding my application and supplemental questions.
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How did you first hear about this job opening?
03
If you selected Other, please describe where you first heard about this job. if you selected Employee Referral please enter the employees first and last name, ID number (if known), and job title. Type N/A if not applicable.
04
Which of the following best describes your education and experience?
05
Are you licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and in good standing?
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Do you have current admission to practice in the Federal District Court of Minnesota?
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Do you have at least one year of tort law experience?
08
Please indicate below the areas in which you have experience in Minnesota in a governmental setting or representing governmental entities within the last 10 years (select all that apply).
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If you indicated that you have public sector law experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
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If you indicated that you have tort law experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
11
If you indicated that you have tort law experience in question #8, please answer the following ONLY with respect to experience defending government bodies. Describe your experience defending government bodies in tort cases, including the government bodies, amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, the type of issues (specifically including application of the tort cap and applicable immunities). If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
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If you indicated that you have e-discovery and technology law experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
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If you indicated that you have real property law experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
14
If you indicated that you have public contracts and procurement experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
15
If you indicated that you have Housing and Redevelopment Authority experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
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If you indicated that you have construction law experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
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If you indicated that you have environmental law experience in question #8, please describe that experience, including the amount or depth of experience, the approximate number of years and percentage of the work for those years, and the type of issues. If this does not apply, please indicate "N/A."
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The Metropolitan Council values a workplace that is as diverse as the people we serve. We seek candidates who are going to promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment that values cultural diversity among all employees. Please describe your experience working and collaborating in a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive environment or how you would promote an equitable, positive, and respectful work environment.
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The Metropolitan Council recognizes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and generative tools are increasingly used in application processes. While the Council permits the use of AI to assist in the preparation of application materials, all applicants must certify the following statement:
Required Question
Employer Metropolitan Council
Address 390 Robert St. N.
St. Paul, Minnesota, 55101
Website https://metrocouncil.org