Primary Objective
Are you considering a career change and eager to tackle cutting-edge issues? Working with the City of Bloomington offers the chance to engage with high-profile topics that are rarely encountered in a typical law firm career. You'll have the opportunity to work on matters that have a substantial impact on our City and the entire region.
This position is ideal for an attorney with some experience and with a passion for making a difference in the lives of Minnesotans through meaningful legal work in the public sector. If you're ready to embark on a new venture and achieve significant accomplishments, this role at the City of Bloomington is a fantastic opportunity.
Primary Objective
The City of Bloomington is seeking to hire a full-time attorney to join its in-house legal team. Responsibilities include legal work involving a wide and diverse array of municipal topics, including government finance, public health, public works, code enforcement and environmental health, land use and development, real estate, immunities, and First Amendment issues. Provides legal advice, guidance, opinions, services, and representation to the City Council, City Manager, and City departments and divisions to protect the City’s legal rights and interests. In addition to the City Attorney, the department consists of three divisions (civil, criminal, compliance) led by a management team of two deputy city attorneys, a risk and litigation manager, and a compliance official, that supervise assistant city attorneys, paralegals, a crime victim liaison, and support staff.
CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Supervision Of Others
This position does not supervise others
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT : Must maintain license to practice law in the State of Minnesota, including staying c urrent with continuing legal education requirements.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $1 3 1, 960 – $1 41 , 616 Annually
2024 Full Salary Range: $131,960 – $160,928 Annually
Full-Time; Exempt; AFSCME Union; Benefits Eligible (per Union Contract)
The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change
Benefits
Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington (with the exception of 24 hour firefighters and 24 hour fire fighter/paramedics) include the following:
The City of Bloomington (City) is asking you to supply information (data) as part of your application for employment with the City. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) classifies this data as private data about you. The law does not require you to provide the data and there is no legal consequence for refusing to provide the data. However, if you do not provide the requested data, the City may not have enough information to consider your application and you may not move forward in the selection process. If you do provide the data, City employees and its agents may have access to your private data if their work assignments reasonably require access. The hiring manager or supervisor, human resources employees, and members of an interview panel, which may include non-City employees, will have access to some of your private data during the application and selection process. State or federal law or a court order may allow others to have access to your data also. The City will not disclose any of your private data to any member of the general public without your permission. The MGDPA classifies the following information as public data about applicants: veteran status, relevant test scores, rank on eligible list, job history, education and training, and work availability. If you are a finalist for the position, your name is also public. A "finalist" is a person the City selects for an interview. Do you agree to supply the data the City is requesting as part of your application for employment?
This is a reminder that you should check your Spam/Junk folder as emails from the City of Bloomington might end up being received in those folders and not your inbox. Please note that the City won't send out communications until after the job posting has officially closed unless the posting clearly states otherwise. Please acknowledge that you have read and understood this informational message.
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following supplemental questionnaire completely for this position. Attaching a resume is NOT a substitute for completing an answer. If a question is answered by the statement "See Resume", the question will be treated as if there is no answer. The information I provide will be reviewed and used to determine my eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. If the supplemental question is not applicable to you, please indicate N/A.
I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
Did you read and review the Working Conditions and Physical Demands checklist and the Remote Work availability? Once you click on the link
The advertised wage for this position is $131,960.00 - $141,616.00 annually, depending on qualifications. If selected, would you be willing to accept a starting wage in this range?
Do you currently have a license to practice law in the State of Minnesota?
How many years of experience do you have as a practicing attorney?
Do you possess state or local government law experience?
If you indicated you have experience in state or local government law, please list the state or local entity(ies), dates involved with that entity(ies), and explain your role in that environment.
10
Do you possess working knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law?
Do you possess experience drafting ordinances and resolutions or legislation?
If you indicated you have work experience in drafting ordinances and resolutions or legislation, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
13
Do you possess experience drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures?
If you indicated you have work experience in drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
15
Do you possess more than two years of experience in any of the following:
If you indicated you possess more than two years of experience in any of the above areas, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties for EACH item selected. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
17
Do you possess work experience with any of the following:
If you indicated you have work experience in any of the items listed above, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties for EACH item selected. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
19
Do you fluently speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community? Recognized prevalent languages in the City of Bloomington are Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, and Cambodian [Khmer]. Fluent means you can sustain a conversation, demonstrate intelligible pronunciation which doesn't interfere with understanding, and communicate at informal and some formal levels.
If you indicated you speak a language other than English that you are FLUENT in, please list the language(s) and years spoken. If not applicable, please indicate N/A.
21
This Question Is To Determine Your Status As a Veteran Under The Veteran's Preference Statute, Minnesota Statutes, 43A.11. Please Check The Statement Below Which Best Describes Your Current Veteran's Status
If you are a Veteran and achieve the minimum passing rating, do you wish to apply your veteran's preference bonus points? If you answer yes, you MUST complete the City of Bloomington's Veteran Preference Questionnaire (
Are you considering a career change and eager to tackle cutting-edge issues? Working with the City of Bloomington offers the chance to engage with high-profile topics that are rarely encountered in a typical law firm career. You'll have the opportunity to work on matters that have a substantial impact on our City and the entire region.
This position is ideal for an attorney with some experience and with a passion for making a difference in the lives of Minnesotans through meaningful legal work in the public sector. If you're ready to embark on a new venture and achieve significant accomplishments, this role at the City of Bloomington is a fantastic opportunity.
Primary Objective
The City of Bloomington is seeking to hire a full-time attorney to join its in-house legal team. Responsibilities include legal work involving a wide and diverse array of municipal topics, including government finance, public health, public works, code enforcement and environmental health, land use and development, real estate, immunities, and First Amendment issues. Provides legal advice, guidance, opinions, services, and representation to the City Council, City Manager, and City departments and divisions to protect the City’s legal rights and interests. In addition to the City Attorney, the department consists of three divisions (civil, criminal, compliance) led by a management team of two deputy city attorneys, a risk and litigation manager, and a compliance official, that supervise assistant city attorneys, paralegals, a crime victim liaison, and support staff.
CITY VALUES & EXPECTATIONS
- Models and contributes to a positive work environment, culture of communication, engagement, and safety
- Communicates effectively and respectfully with employees and the general public, including but not limited to those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Works cooperatively as a member of a team; develops and maintains effective working relationships with diverse coworkers and community members; consistently brings a high level of self-awareness and empathy to all personal interactions
- Embraces the City’s shared values and contribute towards accomplishing the City’s vision and goals by being creative, innovative, continuously learning, and communicating clearly
- Provides objective and timely legal advice and guidance to assigned City departments
- Applies legal analysis to specific facts in order to provide guidance, advice, and risk mitigation strategies for assigned departments
- Researches, prepares, and drafts a variety of documents including City ordinances and resolutions, letters, memoranda, briefs, and pleadings
- Provides advice and guidance on City policies and procedures; recommends courses of action; and determines compliance with state, federal, and municipal laws, regulations, and ordinances for assigned departments
- Prepares for and participates in administrative hearings, arbitrations, administrative conferences, and occasionally court hearings; Researches and drafts complaints, answers, motions, memorandums of law, and other court briefings
- Attends, participates in, and provides legal support and advice to assigned task forces, working groups, committees, boards and commissions, and the City Council
- Receives, screens, and responds to public inquiries, citizen complaints, and requests for information in a tactful and timely manner
- Performs legal research utilizing appropriate print and electronic research tools
- Provides written and oral legal opinions as requested by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorneys
- Stays informed on legislative actions and court decisions that may affect City affairs or operations and provides relevant information and guidance to City departments, divisions, and employees
- Assists in the preparation of the Legal Department’s responses to data practices requests under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act; Provides legal guidance and interpretation of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law for city departments and divisions
- Protects the legal rights and interests of the City
- Performs related duties as apparent and as assigned
- General knowledge of municipal government
- Ability to analyze complex legal and regulatory schemes involving federal, state, and municipal laws, ordinances, and regulations.
- Apply oral and written communication skills to present research, analysis, and advice to internal clients and outside parties. Ability to adjust communication of complex legal concepts depending on the audience. Ability to communicate, both orally and written, in a way non-attorney employees and outside parties can understand and act upon.
- Ability to successfully complete work assignments in a timely manner and that are of a high quality.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, and external parties.
- Awareness, understanding, and implementation of new legal trends, court cases, procedures, etc.
- Ability to effectively appear in the Minnesota courts.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Current license to practice law and in good standing in the State of Minnesota
- Two years as a practicing attorney
- Experience in state or local government.
- Working knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law
- Experience drafting ordinances and resolutions or legislation
- Experience drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures
- More than two years of experience in any of the following: information technology, finance, public works, engineering, or public health
Supervision Of Others
This position does not supervise others
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT : Must maintain license to practice law in the State of Minnesota, including staying c urrent with continuing legal education requirements.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $1 3 1, 960 – $1 41 , 616 Annually
2024 Full Salary Range: $131,960 – $160,928 Annually
Full-Time; Exempt; AFSCME Union; Benefits Eligible (per Union Contract)
The City of Bloomington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. Applicants who are black, indigenous or persons of color are encouraged to apply. We also encourage women, veterans, members of the LGBTQIA community, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
The position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change
Benefits
Benefits for regular, full-time employees of the City of Bloomington (with the exception of 24 hour firefighters and 24 hour fire fighter/paramedics) include the following:
- 10 days paid vacation per year
- 13 days paid personal leave per year
- 13 paid holidays per year
- 12 weeks paid parental leave
- Employee health and dental insurance
- Paid employee life insurance
- Paid employee disability insurance
- Employer/employee paid pension
- Deferred compensation
- Tuition assistance program
- Health club membership reimbursement
- Flexible spending account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Other optional benefits
- Great suburban location, on bus line
- Free employee parking
- (Union contracts may vary from the above list.)
The City of Bloomington (City) is asking you to supply information (data) as part of your application for employment with the City. The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA) classifies this data as private data about you. The law does not require you to provide the data and there is no legal consequence for refusing to provide the data. However, if you do not provide the requested data, the City may not have enough information to consider your application and you may not move forward in the selection process. If you do provide the data, City employees and its agents may have access to your private data if their work assignments reasonably require access. The hiring manager or supervisor, human resources employees, and members of an interview panel, which may include non-City employees, will have access to some of your private data during the application and selection process. State or federal law or a court order may allow others to have access to your data also. The City will not disclose any of your private data to any member of the general public without your permission. The MGDPA classifies the following information as public data about applicants: veteran status, relevant test scores, rank on eligible list, job history, education and training, and work availability. If you are a finalist for the position, your name is also public. A "finalist" is a person the City selects for an interview. Do you agree to supply the data the City is requesting as part of your application for employment?
- Yes
- No
This is a reminder that you should check your Spam/Junk folder as emails from the City of Bloomington might end up being received in those folders and not your inbox. Please note that the City won't send out communications until after the job posting has officially closed unless the posting clearly states otherwise. Please acknowledge that you have read and understood this informational message.
- Yes
- No
I understand that in order for my application to receive every consideration in the selection process, I must complete the following supplemental questionnaire completely for this position. Attaching a resume is NOT a substitute for completing an answer. If a question is answered by the statement "See Resume", the question will be treated as if there is no answer. The information I provide will be reviewed and used to determine my eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Unanswered questions, incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. If the supplemental question is not applicable to you, please indicate N/A.
I have read and understand the above instructions regarding supplemental questions.
- Yes
- No
Did you read and review the Working Conditions and Physical Demands checklist and the Remote Work availability? Once you click on the link
- Yes
- No
The advertised wage for this position is $131,960.00 - $141,616.00 annually, depending on qualifications. If selected, would you be willing to accept a starting wage in this range?
- Yes
- No
Do you currently have a license to practice law in the State of Minnesota?
- Yes
- No
How many years of experience do you have as a practicing attorney?
- Less than 2 Years
- 2 Years
- 3-4 Years
- 5+ Years
- Not Applicable
Do you possess state or local government law experience?
- I possess less than 5 years of state or local government law experience
- I possess 5 or more years of state or local government law experience
- I do not possess state or local government law experience
If you indicated you have experience in state or local government law, please list the state or local entity(ies), dates involved with that entity(ies), and explain your role in that environment.
10
Do you possess working knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and Open Meeting Law?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess experience drafting ordinances and resolutions or legislation?
- Yes
- No
If you indicated you have work experience in drafting ordinances and resolutions or legislation, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
13
Do you possess experience drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures?
- Yes
- No
If you indicated you have work experience in drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
15
Do you possess more than two years of experience in any of the following:
- Information Technology
- Finance
- Public Works
- Engineering
- Public Health
- I do not possess more than two years of experience related to information technology, finance, public works, engineering, or public health.
If you indicated you possess more than two years of experience in any of the above areas, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties for EACH item selected. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
17
Do you possess work experience with any of the following:
- Preparing and drafting a variety of documents including letters, memoranda, briefs, and pleadings
- Preparing for and participating in administrative hearings, arbitrations, administrative conferences, and occasionally court hearings
- Researching and drafting complaints, answers, motions, memorandums of law, and other court briefings
- Performing legal research utilizing appropriate print and electronic research tools
- I do not possess work experience in any of the above.
If you indicated you have work experience in any of the items listed above, please summarize your experience including Job Title, place of employment, and relevant job duties for EACH item selected. If not applicable, indicate N/A.
19
Do you fluently speak a second language, in addition to English, that has a recognized presence in the community? Recognized prevalent languages in the City of Bloomington are Spanish, Somali, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, and Cambodian [Khmer]. Fluent means you can sustain a conversation, demonstrate intelligible pronunciation which doesn't interfere with understanding, and communicate at informal and some formal levels.
- Spanish - FLUENT
- Somali - FLUENT
- Vietnamese - FLUENT
- Chinese Mandarin - FLUENT
- Cambodian [Khmer] - FLUENT
- I am not FLUENT in those languages or I am FLUENT in another language
If you indicated you speak a language other than English that you are FLUENT in, please list the language(s) and years spoken. If not applicable, please indicate N/A.
21
This Question Is To Determine Your Status As a Veteran Under The Veteran's Preference Statute, Minnesota Statutes, 43A.11. Please Check The Statement Below Which Best Describes Your Current Veteran's Status
- I am not a Veteran
- I am a Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
- I am the spouse of a deceased Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
- I am a disabled Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation
- I am the spouse of a disabled Veteran who served more than 180 consecutive days and received an Honorable Discharge or Separation and is unable to use the preference due to the disability
If you are a Veteran and achieve the minimum passing rating, do you wish to apply your veteran's preference bonus points? If you answer yes, you MUST complete the City of Bloomington's Veteran Preference Questionnaire (
- Yes
- No
- Not Applicable