Attorney

POSITION TITLE: Staff Attorney

JOB POSTING: 2026-02

DEPARTMENT: Legal

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: General Counsel

LOCATION: St. Paul, MN

HOURS/STATUS: Temporary (until May 2026)

FLSA: Exempt

EMPLOYEE GROUP: The Education MN Professional Organization (TEMPO)

PROBATIONARY PERIOD: 12 months

POSITION SUMMARY:

Education Minnesota has a need for a temporary staff attorney from February until May of 2026. The primary focus of this role will be representing members in licensure matters, as well as providing legal advice and consultation to staff and leaders related to contract enforcement as well as labor and employment law. The ideal candidate will have experience providing legal representation to public and/or private sector employees as well as labor organizations.

Under the direction of Education Minnesota's General Counsel, Staff Attorneys work with a team of lawyers to provide legal assistance, advice, and representation to members, locals and affiliates of Education Minnesota, and to support many other aspects of the organization's work for members and staff, including but not limited to legislative, professional development, local capacity, negotiations, business, equity, governance, policy, and organizing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide legal assistance and representation to members, locals and affiliates as directed and in accordance with Education Minnesota's Legal Services Policy
• Manage caseload of employment, licensure, and other civil cases, and work with outside counsel who are providing representation in criminal and maltreatment of minors (Minnesota Department of Education) cases
• Provide consultation and advice to Education Minnesota staff and members as needed
• Recommend, develop and implement legal and other training programs
• Participate in and/or lead organizational initiatives, projects, and mandates
• Work with other areas of the organization on matters of mutual concern
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Basic understanding of Minnesota's public sector labor and employment laws
• Basic understanding of both the organizing and service models of union advocacy; commitment and willingness to deploy either/both models as determined by Education Minnesota
• Basic computer skills including word processing
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups of people
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to perform and work well under deadlines/pressures
• Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple projects in a timely fashion
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctorate degree
• Admitted to practice in Minnesota state courts, or ability to be admitted within six months
• Valid driver's license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with PELRA (Minn. Stat. chapter 179A), Minn. Stat *122A. 40 and 122A.41, and Minn. Stat chapter 13
• Experience in labor relations and labor law
• Experience and/or training as an educator
• Experience and/or training with school law
• Experience in state and federal employment law

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Some travel, evening and weekend work required.
• Remote or in-person work options are available, consistent with a staff collective bargaining agreement, with a minimum of one day a week in person (preferably Wednesday) at our St. Paul Headquarters required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is in a general office environment. This position will interact with employees, vendors, members, and the public on a somewhat regular basis. These interactions require judgment and discretion that can involve confidential information, private information and some disagreeable human interactions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Employee is required to: CONTINUOUSLY sit, talk, and hear; FREQUENTLY stand, walk, and repetitively use hands dexterously (use fingers to handle, feel), reach with hands and arms, bend and physically lift and carry up to 10 pounds; OCCASIONALLY lift up to 50 pounds and infrequently travel by various conveyances (e.g., air, rail, auto).

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION:

Maintain confidential information related to the organization and all members and staff.

STARTING SALARY RANGE:

First three steps of the salary schedule, in accordance with the current staff collective bargaining agreement: $104,087-$112,909 annual; placement depends on qualifications and previous experience.

BENEFITS:

Education Minnesota offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical, vision, and voluntary pet insurance.
• Employer paid dental coverage, life and AD&D insurance, LTC, LTD, and annual HRA contribution (if enrolled in our medical plan).
• Generous paid time off, including 16 paid holidays, vacation days, sick leave days, and personal days.
• 16 hours of School and Community Outreach.
• Tuition reimbursement, up to $1,500 per year.
• Generous 401(k) matching program with employer contributions.
• Employer sponsored pension, after vesting period.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

EDUCATION MINNESOTA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Education Minnesota is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect where diversity is valued, supported, and celebrated to benefit applicants, employees, members, and students. Discrimination of any kind is prohibited. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, job requirements and business needs. Education Minnesota strongly encourages women, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, immigrants, and veterans to apply.

POSTING DEADLINE: For consideration, apply online and include a resume no later than 11:59pm of Tuesday, February 10, 2026.