County Attorney Division Director (Unclassified)

The current vacancy is in the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.

To lead, manage and direct the functions of the Victim, Witness and Postconviction Justice 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; provide 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 Director of the Victim, Witness and Postconviction Justice Division is responsible for among other things, supervising and assigning advocates and other division staff to support victims and witnesses throughout the court process and ensure their rights are upheld by providing compassionate support to our victims throughout the court process and to ensure that their statutory rights are met. The Director is also responsible for supervising and assigning division attorneys, and law clerks, to, among other things, appear in court on sentencing matters, probation violations, restitution hearings, and to review, and litigate, if necessary, past sentences and convictions for integrity, including when appropriate, the impact of collateral consequences on sentencing issues; and conducting the review of requests for expungements. This position requires the Director to be physically present at the office during normal business hours a minimum of four workdays during a typical Monday to Friday work week.

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.

1. Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
2. Direct community outreach relationships and programs to attract and retain a diverse workforce.
3. Supervise Divisional 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.
4. Conduct the delivery of annual performance appraisals for divisional staff.
5. Conduct/participate in meetings of Division, County Attorney's Management Team, other Management Teams within Ramsey County and other Ramsey County committees.
6. Upon the request of the County Attorney, provide public information by speaking to media, individual resident or community 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.
7. 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, community groups, state-wide groups, State Government groups and the Legislature by providing research and legal information.
8. Communicate with all law enforcement agencies throughout Ramsey County on criminal justice policies and procedures of mutual interest within the jurisdiction of the Office of the Ramsey County Attorney.
9. Oversee and deliver training on laws, and divisional policies to various criminal justice stakeholder groups, including staff and law enforcement agencies
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. Implement the division’s budget.
16. Develop and coordinate implementation of standards, control and policies necessary in the administration of the division and compliance with all applicable laws and rules.
17. Establish, review and modify procedures appropriate with trends, good practices and general policies of the department.
18. Develop, implement and revise policies and procedures necessary to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes and rules.
19. Develop 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.
20. Supervise grant-funded programs and prepare all reports necessary to comply with the requirements of the local, state, or federal grant.
21. Supervise extradition of adult and youth 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 people residing in Ramsey County; and preparing extradition documents for signature by the Governor or United States State Department.
22. Supervise the implementation of the Uniform Mandatory Disposition of Detainers Act by approving or declining the return and prosecution of people 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.
23. 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.
24. Establish guidelines and criteria for the pre-court diversion of adult and youth and, in specific cases, approve or decline the diversion of people who request alternative resolution of their cases.
25. Supervise the implementation of various Interstate Compacts including the Interstate Compact on Witnesses and the Interstate Compact on Juveniles by: assisting foreign jurisdictions in compelling witnesses 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.
26. Supervise 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.
27. Make recommendations to the County Attorney concerning retention of outside counsel.
28. Negotiate outside counsel fees.
29. Enforce policies of the County Attorney and County Board.
30. Enforce 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.
31. Supervise the prosecution of youth and adults. Supervise all legal proceeding involving the enforcement of child support and the establishment of paternity.
32. Supervise 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.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college of law.

Experience: Seven years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Substitution: Equivalent combination of education and related experience.

Certifications/Licensure: Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and completion of 45 credits of legal education every three years.

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.

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.

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 [email protected]