Easter Seals Jobs

Working Title: Employee Benefits Counsel

Job Class: Staff Attorney 3

Agency: Mn Management & Budget

• Job ID : 82341

• 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 : 12/06/2024

• Closing Date : 12/26/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Mn Management & Budget

• Division/Unit : Employee Insurance / Legal Services

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Not Applicable Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : No

• Salary Range: $42.31 - $62.75 / hourly; $88,343 - $131,022 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 217 - Confidential

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : 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 provides legal analysis, advice, and support to the largest employer purchaser of health care in Minnesota. In this role, you will work closely with the Employee Insurance leadership team overseeing the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) and the Public Employees Insurance Program (PEIP) to ensure that risk is appropriately identified and managed and that both programs remain in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws.

Key responsibilities of the Employee Benefits Counsel will include the following:

• Develop and implement strategies that support compliance with federal and state regulations

• Consult with subject matter experts as needed, including agency subject matter experts, to ensure full consideration of the facts, law, and other factors to support the resolution of complex legal issues

• Conduct legal research and provide information, analysis and recommendations with respect to application of statutes and rules

• Review proposals, policies, procedures, plan documents, and other content prepared by non-legal staff for compliance with federal law, regulations and guidelines, state law, rules and other authorities

• Provide legal input on proposed legislation, including assisting in the development of legislative initiatives

• Develop and deliver training and general communications to address emerging insurance and benefits issues

• Track state and federal legal, statutory and regulatory developments as pertains to group employee insurance benefits and other health insurance topics

• Support the negotiation of new contracts and contract renewals with MMB’s insurance-related vendors

• Coordinate with MMB’s external benefits counsel and seek advice as warranted

• Work closely with MMB’s General Counsel and other colleagues on the Legal Services Team to ensure close alignment of priorities and policies

• Oversee compliance with state data practices statute

Programs administered by the Employee Insurance unit at MMB include:

• The State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) for over 130,000 insurance eligible employees, retirees and dependents from all three branches of government, quasi state agencies, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system

• The Public Employees Insurance Program (PEIP) for over 30,000 public employees, retirees and dependents of participating cities, counties, towns and school districts.

The incumbent of this position has access to and may use labor relations information which included management position on economic and noneconomic items that have not been presented during the collective bargaining process or interest arbitration, including information specifically collected or creates to prepare the management position.

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school

• Current license and in good standing to practice in the State of Minnesota

• At least three years of experience as a practicing attorney demonstrating the following:

Experience must include the following demonstrated skills, abilities and knowledge bases:

• Excellent communication skills and written work product to provide training, guidance and legal advice on complex and varied legal issues.

• Knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and ability to analyze data, determine classification of data and provide protection of not public data.

• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills sufficient to analyze a variety of complex legal and data practices issues, identify areas of research, conduct research and evaluate alternatives, make sound decisions and provide legal advice to management on these issues.

• Ability to thoroughly research and impartially analyze facts and legal issues.

• Commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional or legal experience in one or more of the following areas: state procurement and contracting, public policy, health insurance, or employee benefits

• Experience in developing and managing internal policies and procedures for managing data requests

• Experience advising on the Official Records Act

• Experience reviewing and drafting legislation

• Knowledge of Minnesota state government processes, including legislative process

• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating contracts

• Experience supporting the collective bargaining process, including reviewing and drafting proposal language

• Experience providing legal advice to management on labor and/or employment law matters

• Experience planning and delivering complex legal training to non-legal audiences

Additional Requirements

Individuals who are selected for interview will be requested to submit a legal writing sample.

Minnesota Management and Budget will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.