Assistant County Attorney I, II, or III - Family Law

Job Posting End Date: May 29, 2025 at 11:59pm CSTJoin our team of over 100 persons in the Anoka County Attorney’s Office who are united by a common mission to preserve the public's trust and serve the interests of justice. We do this by bringing our very best to work every day and serving Anoka County's 369,000 citizens with respect and compassion.

This position will work within the Family Law Division of the Anoka County Attorney’s Office, which is responsible for providing legal and advisory services to Anoka County Child Support Services and representing Anoka County in family law cases to establish paternity and child support, and to effectively enforce and modify child support orders. Attorneys in the Family Law Division specialize in child support, paternity, contempt, and other various support enforcement proceedings, and will handle post-hearing proceedings and appeals related to family law cases. The highest volume of court appearances will be in District Court and the Expedited Process.

The person in this role will be expected to negotiate settlement agreements, participate in contested hearings, conduct trial practice (which includes identifying issues of disagreement, taking testimony, offering exhibits, and making oral and written legal arguments), create boiler-plate documents consistent with the law, and find efficiencies of process. This attorney will also conduct legal research and draft and review legal opinions and briefs. Part of the assignment will also be to occasionally advise and train other government agencies. Other job duties are as assigned by the County Attorney or their delegate and may include providing backup support to other divisions in the office.

The Anoka County Attorney’s Office has three Attorney classifications: Attorney I, II, and III. The differences among these positions include but are not limited to years of general experience, supervision needed to perform the work, comprehensive working knowledge of subject matters, and ability to handle complex issues and problems associated with the assignments within the division. Additional room for advancement to Attorney IV classification is available to those with exceptional skill in leadership, ethics, and trial practice.

This is a full-time, exempt, benefit-eligible position located at the Anoka County Government Center in downtown Anoka.

To be considered for this full-time, exempt position, information to support your answers must be included in your application. A resume attachment is optional and cannot be used in place of this application. Applications must be received by the closing deadline of 11:59 pm on 05/29/2025 to be considered.

Interviews will be held in-person on June 9, 2025.

Pay & Benefits

The Anoka County Attorney’s Office is a large professional law firm with a collegial environment where employees are part of a team and support each other in the mission of the office and in day-to-day work. In addition, we offer the following:

Assistant County Attorney I:

Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 36.  $85,363 to $119,296 annually ($41.04 to $57.45 per hour).  Offer to be commensurate with experience.

Assistant County Attorney II:

Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 38.  $98,176 to $137,384 annually ($47.20 to $66.05 per hour). Offer to be commensurate with experience.

Assistant County Attorney III:

Anoka County Salary Schedule Grade 40.  $117,790 to $164,840 annually ($56.63 to $79.25 per hour).  Offer to be commensurate with experience.

• The Anoka County Attorney’s office values its employees and invests in their professional growth and development.

• Employees have advancement and professional development opportunities.

• Employees have access to a medical and dental satellite clinic located in the Anoka County Government Center with services dedicated exclusively to employees.

• Employment packages include medical, dental, and vision insurance. 

• Anoka County contributes to a pension plan and employees can voluntarily supplement these contributions or take advantage of other retirement investment options.

• Employees have paid Flexible Time Off (FTO) for vacation or for health issues or appointments.  Employees are also paid for recognized holidays as approved annually by the Anoka County Board of Commissioners.

Learn more about our robust benefits package by going to our website. https://www.anokacountymn.gov/benefits 

Work Location

• This position is located at the Anoka County Government Center in Anoka.

• Most work is conducted on site at the Anoka County Government Center and the attached Courthouse.

• Expected work hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Schedule may vary based on business needs and supervisory approval.

Minimum Qualifications Required

• Graduate of an accredited law school.

• Licensed to practice law in Minnesota.

• Successfully complete a background investigation, including a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) background check and fingerprinting.

• Consideration of references about your demeanor, ability to work as a team member, and skill set.

Helpful Qualifications:

• Experience representing a state, county, city or other government entity.

• Knowledge of pleadings and practice of effective presentation of court cases including rules of court and evidence in the State of Minnesota.

• Experience conducting legal research and data analysis.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Experience or knowledge of mental health issues; and

• Skills using technology in everyday practice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To qualify for the Attorney I position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed above. Experience related to one or more of the following areas is preferred:

• Represent a government entity in hearings, trials, appeals, and other routine legal proceedings and matters.

• Conduct pretrial/prehearing preparations. Review various legal resources in support of legal proceedings.

• Prepare various briefs, opinions, pleadings, agreements, contracts, and other legal documents.

• Research and interpret existing laws and regulations.

• Gather evidence, interview witnesses and effectively present findings and arguments in state and federal court, or other tribunals.

• Provide legal opinions and training to government employees in assigned subject-matter.

• Prepare post-hearing motions and appeals, render legal opinions, review motions and other legal documents.

• Confer with and provide legal counsel to government departments, officials, and employees.

• Confer with parties and the public and negotiate settlements.

• Perform other duties as assigned by a government department head or an elected official.

To qualify for the Attorney II position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed above and possess experience in some or all of the following areas among others:

• Effectively and strategically presenting evidence, advice, information and arguments both orally and in written form.

• Draft pleadings, motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs in all levels of criminal cases (misdemeanor to felony) or in the representation of a client in non-criminal matters.

• Determining proper course of action in presenting facts and arguments.

• Demonstrable experience with researching, analyzing and interpreting existing laws, regulations and cases.  

• Provide leadership, coaching, and/or mentoring to a subordinate group as assigned.

• Work collaboratively with other division attorneys, legal support staff, and other justice partners inside and outside Anoka County.

• Have at least 2 years of experience as a practicing attorney, including some experience advising municipal clients in a County or City Attorney’s Office, or equivalent private sector experience.

To qualify for the Attorney III position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed above and possess experience in some or all of the following areas, among others:

• Capacity to interpret and analyze complex laws, regulations, and cases to be able to anticipate changes to laws and their interpretation.

• Recommend the most effective course of action and provide alternatives when necessary.

• Coordinate complex investigations with law enforcement and other Anoka County departments.

• Develop training for Anoka County employees, law enforcement, and criminal justice partners in assigned subject-matter.

• Review the work of Assistant County Attorneys I and II where appropriate.

• Have at least 5 years of experience as a practicing attorney, including some experience in a County Attorney’s Office.

• Have an established reputation for being a skilled practitioner and recognized for having the capacity to lead peers and subordinates and to serve as a role model for others.

• Capability of handling complex jury trials, bench trials, other contested evidentiary hearings, and/or motion arguments and appeals.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions:

• Standard office environment, courtrooms, travel to various county work sites and meetings as needed.

• Work activities may require contact with uncooperative, angry, and sometimes hostile clients depending on assignment.

• Ability to handle both in-person and remote hearings and to effectively use the office media, software, and hardware.

• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.  

Selection Process

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. This information will determine which candidates will proceed in the selection process. A submitted application is also used to verify the answers to any supplemental questions.

Pre-employment Requirements

Anoka County has determined that successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen and DOT physical, and/or other qualifications checks may be necessary for certain positions. Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to obtain to conduct such screenings and/or verify their qualifications in connection with the position sought. Applicants who do not sign the informed consent form will not be further considered for the position.

About Anoka County

As the fourth largest county in Minnesota, we depend on the diversity, dedication, determination, and innovation of our employees. We offer a wide range of career opportunities for people with a variety of personalities, abilities, knowledge, and life experiences who can come together for the single purpose of serving Anoka County’s 369,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative, and fiscally responsible manner. If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County!  Hear from other Anoka County employees here.

Commitment to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employment

Anoka County is committed to the principles of our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity. It is the policy of Anoka County to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, marital status, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, physical ability, sexual orientation, or age except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification. It is the policy of Anoka County to make employment decisions in a manner that will further our Affirmative Action Plan and Equal Employment Opportunity.

If you require accommodations or have any other questions regarding this job posting, please call the Anoka County Human Resources Department at 763-324-4300 and reference the posting title and number. If you have questions about the hiring process, please visit: https://www.anokacountymn.gov/4411/Application-Process

Anoka County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy: https://www.anokacounty.us/401/Diversity-EEO