County Attorney - Appointed

Salary: $159,464.00 - $223,539.00 Annually
Location : Elk River 55330-1692, MN
Job Type: Contracted/Appointed
Job Number: 2025-01671
Department: County Attorney
Opening Date: 03/07/2025
Closing Date: 3/21/2025 11:59 AM Central

Job Summary
Under the general direction of the County Board and day-to-day coordination with its designee (County Administrator), the County Attorney oversees all criminal and civil activities for the County, serves as chief legal counsel for the organization and Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District, and pursues operational excellence in all phases of operation.

The County Attorney position will be appointed by the County Board to complete the current term ending upon administration of the Oath of Office for an elected County Attorney at 9:00am on January 5th, 2027.

Learn more about our and a brief overview of our employee benefits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are normal for this position. These duties are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Appear, represent or designate representation in cases in which the county is a party.
• Provide advice upon the request of the County Board and/or Department Head, upon all legal matters in which the County may be involved.
• Prosecute felonies, including the drawing of indictments found by the grand jury and to the extent prescribed by law, gross misdemeanors, misdemeanors, petty misdemeanors, and violations of county and municipal ordinances for which a contract for services is in effect, charter provisions and rules or regulations.
• Attend, represent, or designate representation before the grand jury, give them legal advice and examine witnesses in their presence.
• Request the Court Administrator to issue subpoenas to bring witnesses before the grand jury or any judge or judicial officer before whom the County Attorney is conducting a criminal hearing.
• Attend, represent at, or designate representation for any inquest at the request of the coroner.
• Appear, represent, or designate representation when requested by the Attorney General, for the state in any case instituted by the Attorney General in the County Attorney's county or before the United States Land Office in case of application to preempt or locate any public lands claimed by the state and assist in the preparation and trial.
• Oversee criminal and civil cases assignments and any relevant issues involving County partners, such as law enforcement and community corrections.
• Oversee the victim/witness program and assist staff while addressing any issues that arise.
• Oversee completion of extradition files for defendants to extradite back to the state of Minnesota from other states.
• Oversee and guide staff in case handling and disposition in high profile cases.
• Coordinate with outside counsel when contracted or assigned for specialized legal services, including but not limited to: Employment law, issuance of bonds and other financial services, law enforcement/jail policies and personnel, condemnation proceedings, HIPAA compliance and data practices, environmental regulation, and insurance claims (through Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust or other coverage).
• Perform supervisory duties, including but not limited to: Training, scheduling of personnel, interviewing, conducting performance evaluations, and recommending disciplinary action.
• Develop and maintain respectful and cooperative working relationships.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance according to the department's work schedule.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Considerable knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and guidelines.
• Considerable knowledge of Minnesota state statutes, case law, court rules, various forms of legal authority and policies.
• Considerable knowledge of expert witness reports, technical and legal reports, and diagnostic assessment evaluations.
• Considerable knowledge of professional ethical standards and codes of conduct.
• Ability to undertake and manage senior level assignments with minimal direction.
• Ability to create and apply a variety of procedures and policies to fit facts and conditions.
• Considerable analytical ability to select, evaluate and interpret situations, guidelines, policies, and procedures from several sources.
• Ability to apply inductive thinking in unusual and complex situations.
• Position requires a high level of confidentiality throughout everyday duties and interactions.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong communication skills to effectively work with elected officials, county department heads and employees, law enforcement agencies, court personnel, judges, crime victims, media, and defendants.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Ability to complete assignments and projects within deadlines.
• Ability to use software including Microsoft Office, evidence presentation methods, Odyssey/Minnesota Court System, MCAPs and other specialized software packages.
• Highly organized with the ability to document performance, issues, disclosures and other salient information for cases and personnel.
• Ability to supervise, manage, and oversee the work of multiple senior and support staff and personnel, including contracted service providers.

Minimum Qualifications

• 6 years of successful law practice in Minnesota or a similar state, preferably with significant experiences in one or more of the following areas: Municipal/public law, criminal prosecution and/or defense, corporation counsel/contracts, civil litigation.
• Successful completion of the Minnesota State Bar Examination and the ethics requirement.
• Required to pass a background, pass an on-line security test for CJDN access and be fingerprinted.
• While residency in Sherburne County is not required to be appointed to complete the current term of elected County Attorney, it is noted that, under current Minnesota Statute, County residency is required in order to run for and attain the position of elected County Attorney (November 2026).

Supplemental Information

Interviews: Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted via email. Part of the process will include in-person interviews the week of March 31, 2025 and Leadership Assessments on April 1, 2025.

Physical Requirements and Work EnvironmentMust be able to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work. May involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (up to 10 pounds).
Work is normally performed in an office environment. Headaches, eyestrain and other related occupational hazards reflect the most common potential for injury in the office.
Sherburne County offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Medical (employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage). Monthly premiums for Employee only coverage are covered 100% by the county.
  • County Contributions to VEBA and HSA plans
• Employer paid $25,000 Term Life Policy
• Optional Benefits:
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Additional Supplemental Life Insurance for self, spouse and child(ren)
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Health Care Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account)
  • Accident Insurance
  • Critical Illness Insurance
  • Hospital Care Insurance
  • Deferred Compensation Plan
• Annual Paid Time Off accrual of 21 days to start, increasing up to a maximum of 33 days per year.
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• On-Site Well@Work Clinic available to Sherburne County Employees and Dependents covered under our plan.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Public Employees Retirement (PERA):

Part-Time employees working less than 30 hours per week, Seasonal, Temporary and Interns are not eligible for benefits.
01

I am licensed to practice law in Minnesota

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered yes to Question #1, please provide your licensure information below. If you are not licensed to practice in law in Minnesota, type "n/a".
03

Which of the following best describes your work experience leading and managing the functions of a County Attorney's Office and/or division(s) within a County Attorney's Office?

• 6+ Years
• More than 4 years, but less than 6 years
• More than 2 years, but less than 4 years
• More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• No experience

04

Describe your experience leading and managing the functions of a County Attorney's Office and/or division(s) within a County Attorney's Office, including the name of the employer and years of service in which work experience was acquired. If no experience, type "n/a".
05

Which of the following best describes your amount of supervisory experience?

• 6+ years
• More than 4 years but less than 6 years
• More than 2 years, but less than 4 years
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• No experience

06

Describe your supervisory experience, name of the employer in which experience was acquired, and number of employees supervised. If no experience, type "n/a".
07

Which of the following best describes your experience managing a departmental or organizational budget, including personnel and operating expenses?

• 6+ years
• More than 4 years, but less than 6 years
• More than 2 years, but less than 4 years
• More than 1 year, but less than 2 years
• Less than 1 year
• No experience

08

Describe your work experience managing a departmental or organizational budget, including the name of the employer in which experience was acquired, scope of the budget and level of responsibility. If no experience, type "n/a".
09

If, during or after your interview, Sherburne County determines that you have been convicted of a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony for which a jail sentence was or could have been imposed, you may be disqualified from this position by operation of law or county policy. I have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

10

I affirm that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any falsification may disqualify me for consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Sherburne County for up to three years.

• Yes
• No

Required Question