General Counsel 1

Job Details

Working Title: General Counsel
Job Class: General Counsel 1
Agency: Public Employees Retire Assoc

• Job ID: 87441
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 07/11/2025
• Closing Date: 09/02/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Public Employees Retire Assoc / Pub Employ Retire Assoc-Managers
• Division/Unit: Executive Staff
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $50.25 - $71.95 / hourly; $104,922 - $150,232 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position serves as General Counsel for Public Employees Retirement Association and is the chief legal advisor for the agency. Position provides legal advice and interpretation on state statutes and laws, federal laws, regulations and tax codes as they relate to the administration of the PERA defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, which hold over $46 billion in assets and serve approximately 495,000 members and 2,800 employers. Position exists to provide privileged legal advice and counsel, legal direction, and supervision of all of the agency?s legal activities.

This position is telework eligible and offers a hybrid work schedule which may include telework up to 50% of the scheduled workdays each month, based on agency and department needs and other dependencies. Scheduled in-office work days are at PERA?s office building in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Candidates located outside the state of Minnesota and more than 50 miles from PERA?s St. Paul office are not eligible to telework and would be required to report to the office full-time.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Only applicants whose application and resume clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each minimum qualification listed below will be considered for this position. Ensure your resume contains descriptions of your work experience sufficient for comparison against the requirements stated below. Also indicate the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Three (3) years of managerial or advanced supervisory experience leading legal services or similar activities.

OR

Seven (7) years as a licensed attorney conducting legal research, writing, and analysis, that includes at least (2) years of leadership experience as a team lead or lead attorney

AND

All candidates must meet the following degree and licensure requirements:

• J.D. Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements.

In addition, experience of candidates must clearly demonstrate:

• Knowledge of and experience with one or more of the following areas of law: tax, retirement, employment, procurement, data practices and conflicts of interest, ethics and administrative law.
• Ability to provide legal advice to senior management or executives.
• Ability to effectively collaborate with peers, superiors and staff and to work both within the agency and among other agencies and organizations to identify legal issues and resolve problems effectively and efficiently.
• Strong communication and management skills.
• Excellent legal analysis and writing skills.
• Proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and a strong commitment to a respectful, inclusive and diverse work environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience handling issues related to state and federal laws as they relate to tax qualified governmental retirement plans
• Experience in litigation practices and techniques, assessment of legal risk, knowledge of negotiation and settlement strategies and techniques, and legal considerations.
• Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office and/or State government agencies.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and ability to analyze data, determine classification of data, and provide protection of not public data.
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional lifting and carrying of articles such as file folders, ledgers, and small office equipment. Although a sedentary job is defined as one that involves sitting, a certain amount of movement is often necessary in carrying out job duties.

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Retirement Systems of MN that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past State employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver's License Check

**PERA will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Application Details

How to Apply

Select ?Apply for Job? at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

Contact PERA Human Resources at PERAHR@mnpera.org if:

• You have questions about this position
• You are an individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation for a scheduled interview
• You wish to receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, e-mail the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to PERAHR@mnpera.org.

About Public Employees Retirement Association

The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) administers retirement plans for Minnesota public employees, serving over 440,000 individuals from 2,100 agencies. We pay monthly retirement benefits to more than 125,000 retirees, members with disabilities, and survivors. Discover your potential?work for PERA.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us and let us know the support you need.