Job Description

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC), is recruiting for the position of Staff Attorney 2 to work at its Central Office, Legal Affairs Unit, located in Wethersfield, CT.

The Legal Affairs Unit advises the Commissioner of Correction and other high-level correctional staff on a variety of legal topics, including employment law, Constitutional law, the Freedom of Information Act, general litigation strategy, probate law, and other areas affecting correctional systems. The Unit features a collaborative and supportive atmosphere in which attorneys handle very complex and interesting matters.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

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State Employee Benefits Overview

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Professional growth and development opportunities A healthy work/life balance! Thirteen (13) paid holidays each calendar year. Employees who are requested to work as part of a regular schedule on a "premium" holiday (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked in addition to regular pay for the day.

Position Highlights

This position is full-time, first-shift. Schedule is Monday - Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. It requires admission to the bar of the State of Connecticut and at least two years practicing law. Provide legal advice to high level correctional officials on a variety of legal topics. Review and draft internal policies. Collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation including discovery, settlement conferences, and trial strategy. Appear on behalf of the Department and its employees in probate court, and before the Department of Labor, as well as administrative bodies such as the Freedom of Information Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

About Us

Our Mission: The Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens, and offenders.

Selection Plan

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FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

Meet Minimum Qualifications:

Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Educational Credits:

List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.

Resume Policy:

Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

Preferred Shift/Location:

Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

Timely Submission:

All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Salary Calculations

: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

Note

: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

Referral Questions:

This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

Prepare For An Interview:

Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Note

: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Nick Naples at Nicholas.Naples@ct.gov.



Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the legal work of the agency.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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Performs advanced and complex legal work of an agency; Researches, interprets, analyzes and applies complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles; Acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues; Negotiates and drafts settlement agreements; Drafts advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents; Assists in the preparation and presentation of trials and appeals; Consults with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues; Researches complex legal issues; Conducts investigations and enforcement proceedings; Prepares comprehensive reports for use in administrative and court proceedings; Prepares pleadings and other court papers; Interprets and applies complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles; Participates in the conduct of various educational activities; Provides legal guidance when duly authorized; Provides input into policy formation; Reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; Prepares and maintains precedent manuals; Reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; May testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; May represent agency in court when authorized; Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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Considerable knowledge of + legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut;
+ legal research techniques;
+ the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
+ and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
+ relevant agency policies and procedures;
Knowledge of + the rules of evidence;
+ criminal and constitutional law and legislative process;
Considerable + interpersonal skills;
+ oral and written communication skills;
Considerable ability to + apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statutes;
+ comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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Significant experience with administrative agencies. Significant experience in employment law matters. Significant experience in Constitutional issues. Significant experience in all aspects of litigation, including, but not limited to, discovery. Significant experience in drafting and reviewing contracts/memoranda of understanding. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Examples include: + Written: Ability to write persuasively and clearly about legal topics for judges, attorneys, and non-attorneys; ability to produce a polished final written product that requires little editing by others (e.g., written clearly, free from grammar/spelling errors, in a format appropriate to the forum); ability to write legal briefs/ legal opinion memos.
+ Oral Communication: Ability to argue/ present ideas persuasively before judge, fact finder, arbitrator, opposing counsel; ability to present a case in an administrative forum (examine/cross examine witnesses, object, present evidence, present opening/closing arguments); ability to present and assert point of view at a meeting (either internal or external to the agency) and ask appropriate questions.
+ Interpersonal Skills: Ability to maintain good relationships with co-workers, employees of other agencies, judges, advocates, opposing counsel; ability to work well in a team environment by supporting leaders, co-workers, and subordinates; ability to interact professionally even when dealing with confrontational individuals.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut. * Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.