Job Details

 

Working Title: Chief General Counsel – General Counsel 1
Job Class: General Counsel
Agency: Cannabis Management Office

• Job ID: 91534
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 01/26/2026
• Closing Date: 02/02/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Cannabis Management Office
• Division/Unit: Office of the General Counsel
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday – Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, Up to 25%
• Salary Range: $50.25 – $71.95 / hourly
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 – Managerial Plan
• 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.

 

Job Summary

 

This position serves as the chief in-house counsel for the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). The primary role is to provide legal advice, expertise and counsel, legal direction and supervision for all OCM activities. This includes oversight, direction and coordination of OCM’s litigation, legal advice, legal compliance and administrative law functions. Additionally, the position will collaborate with office staff concerning implementation of legal policies and best practices. This position maintains the ongoing coordination of OCM’s relationship with the Attorney General’s Office. The General Counsel will be responsible for determining the overall legal strategy to achieve overall goals of the office. The incumbent of this position will be part of the Executive Leadership of the office and supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff in the Office of the General Counsel.

This position is located in St. Paul and requires three (3) days in office and may telework up to two (2) days per week.

 

Qualifications

 

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA accredited law school.
• Must be licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota and current with continuing legal education requirements (please include license number on your resume).
• At the time of application, must have five (5) years of legal experience as a practicing attorney which must include conducting legal research, writing, and analysis. Judicial clerkship experience will count towards this criteria.
• One or more years of experience with federal and state laws relating to cannabis and/or hemp laws.
• Leadership experience which may include experience as a supervisor, lead worker, team lead, project lead, or completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI or SLI), or comparable leadership program. Leadership experience must include regular responsibility for reviewing and providing feedback on other attorneys’ work products.
• Experience representing clients in litigation as lead counsel or co-counsel.
• Experience conducting legal research, legal writing, and oral advocacy sufficient to perform the duties of the position.

As part of the selection process, candidates may be asked to submit a writing sample of up to five pages.

Additional required experience includes:

• Experience providing legal advice to senior management or executives.
• The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• One or more years of experience as in-house counsel for a state or federal agency.
• Ability to produce legal advice products that are understandable to their non-legal audience.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and ability to analyze data, determine classification of data, and provide protection of not public data.
• Knowledge of the Minnesota’s cannabis and hemp laws and regulations.
• Experience working with the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office and/or state government agencies.
• Experience with the State’s rulemaking process
• Experience with state procurement process and contracts.
• Experience conducting legal research that informs others of the legal implications of agency program activities.

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Office of Cannabis Management, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review

The Office of Cannabis Management 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

If you have questions about this position, contact Kara Shand at kara.shand@state.mn.us or 651-539-5844.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Kara Shand at kara.shand@state.mn.us.

About Cannabis Management Office

Be a part of building the new Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) from the ground up and supporting Minnesota’s new cannabis industry. The OCM will serve as the primary regulatory agency for the state’s new and expanding cannabis industry, (including the new adult-use market, the Medical Cannabis Program, and existing lower-potency hemp edibles), issue business licenses, provide education and technical support to new businesses, administer grants to support community reinvestment, and oversee all aspects of the Minnesota’s cannabis industry.

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.