Deputy City Attorney - Civil Division
Job details
- Pay
- $137,966 – $209,289 a year
- Education
- PhD
- Posted
- Nov 9, 2026
- Last confirmed open
- Nov 10, 2026
- Job function
- Legal Services
About this role
About the Position
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The Saint Paul City Attorney's Office is accepting applications for a Deputy City Attorney in the Civil Division. The Deputy City Attorney is responsible for managing the work of the Civil Division.
Here’s what you can expect to do:
- Perform executive-level professional and managerial work in planning, evaluating and directing the activities of the Civil Division.
- Develop long and short-range plans and continually evaluate the effectiveness of division performance in relation to its goals.
- Lead and manage the work of employees within the division as requested by the City Attorney.
- Work proactively with and provide legal advice to the Mayor, City Council, City departments, boards, commissions, and committees.
- Lead the Civil Division management team.
Essential Functions:
- Demonstrates an understanding of the full range of principles, terms, and procedures involved in municipal government including a high degree of familiarity with the City Charter, Administrative Code, and Legislative Code of the City of Saint Paul.
- Demonstrates an ability to supervise and manage the performance of attorneys, legal assistants and law clerks consistent with the goals of the City Attorney.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the most current and effective work methods and the ability to instruct others in best practices.
- Demonstrates an ability to be creative and solve complex problems, to quickly conduct the most complex research, retain and analyze complex technical information, determine relevancy, and formulate appropriate courses of actions.
- Demonstrates an ability to positively influence managers, supervisors and employees.
- Demonstrates an ability to be clear and persuasive in all areas of communication including speaking, writing and interpreting body language.
- Demonstrates an ability to successfully communicate with the community, judges, opposing counsel, and to understandably and appropriately explain the practices, policies, and positions of the City Attorney's Office as they relate to the Civil Division.
- Demonstrates an ability to remain calm and respectful of others during confrontational and adversarial situations.
- Demonstrates an ability to plan and manage, within deadlines, projects that have a high degree of community impact.
- Demonstrates an ability to understand bargaining unit contracts, administer the provisions of such contracts, and respectfully handle grievances in accordance with applicable contractual procedures.
Saint Paul City Attorney's Office
MISSION: We seek justice through law, balancing accountability and equity and building prosperity while protecting the interests of the entire Saint Paul community.
VALUES:
- Respect - We maintain an inclusive culture that honors the rights and experiences of all, encourages dialogue, and fosters patience and humanity.
- Integrity - We strive for excellence through perpetual improvement, scholarship, intellectual curiosity, and proactive collaborative solutions. We are accountable and faithful to the rule of law and professional ethics.
- Service - We work to benefit the community by connecting and engaging with each other and all of Saint Paul.
- Equity – We endeavor to provide just and balanced treatment for all residents by dismantling barriers to resources and opportunities and fostering a safe and inclusive community.
Our Benefits
We offer competitive wages, and a variety of excellent benefits, including health insurance, retirement contributions and paid vacation and sick time.
Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
The City of Saint Paul is dedicated to dismantling systemic racial, cultural, and economic barriers that prevent people from fully enjoying and participating in our community and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all individuals. At the City of Saint Paul, we want our workforce to reflect the diverse city that we serve.
Our leaders are guided by an unapologetic equity agenda, which promotes the belief that true equity is building a city that works for all of us.We encourage you to apply as we are most interested in finding the best candidate for this job.
Position Requirements
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Candidates must have a Juris Doctorate Degree and a license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota and five years of progressive experience as an attorney at the full performance level with the City of Saint Paul or equivalent.
Continued employment as a Deputy City Attorney is contingent upon maintaining a license to practice law from the Supreme Court of the State of Minnesota.
How to Apply
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- Submit a City of Saint Paul online application by the closing date.
- Upload or submit the following required documents via the online application system. (Zip files and web links will not be accepted. Each uploaded attachment is limited to 10MB.)
+ Cover Letter
+ Resume
+ Professional References (3)
+ Writing Sample (2-4 pages)
First time applying online? Read our How to Apply Online Guide.
Need technical support? For help with the online application, please call 1-855-524-5627.
Learn more about our Hiring Process
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Unclassified Posting: This is an UNCLASSIFIED position and is therefore not governed by City Civil Service Rules.
Selection Process
Applicants who meet the criteria and requirements stated on the job posting will be placed on a hiring list for consideration. Hiring Managers may interview/hire anyone from the list.
Final Selection Process
You will be notified if you are invited to participate in the final selection process.
Human Resources Contact Information
Trisha Freiberger at 651-266-6481
Email: [email protected]
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The City of Saint Paul is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, persons of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The City of Saint Paul offers a competitive benefits package for permanent, certified positions. Temporary positions are not eligible for benefits.
Benefits vary with each position and the collective bargaining agreement.
Benefits may include
City Paid Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Vacation/Holidays
- Sick Leave
- Life Insurance
- Subsidized Metro Bus Pass
- Deferred Compensation
- Retirement Program
Optional Benefits
- Dental
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Disability Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Long Term Care Insurance
For a detailed overview, visit General Benefits.