Staff Attorney 1

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney 1.

What We Can Offer You * Visit our NEWState Employee Benefits Overview page! * Professional growth and development opportunities * A healthy work/life balance to all employees * The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

Position Highlights This position is primarily focused on Freedom of Information Act matters and carries an independent caseload of public records requests, including high-profile and complex matters. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and redacting agency records in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act.

This role offers meaningful exposure to administrative proceedings and complex records analysis within a high-volume, fast paced legal environment.

This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday. A Hybrid schedule may be available based on agency availability.

About Us The Legal Affairs Unit manages all agency legal matters, including responding to records requests, managing administrative hearings, and overseeing regulations, legislative proposals, ethics matters, contracts, and litigation.

DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.

1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence * Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data * Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve * Constantly seeking better results 2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility * Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources * Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests * Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges 3. Ethics and Accountability * Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies * Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement * Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments * Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways

Selection Plan

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.
• 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 [email protected].
• 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:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
• 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.

Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview: State Employees: * Two (2) most recent performance evaluations * Cover letter * A copy of your unofficial transcript(s)

Non-State Employees: * Two (2) professional references contact information including name, email and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor) * Completed CT-HR-13 * Cover letter * A copy of your unofficial transcript(s) Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services \& Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.

Click here to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.

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 Mackenzie Robinson at [email protected].

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Receives generalized training in all aspects of agency legal work;
• Acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings involving legal and technical issues;
• Analyzes complex and technical evidence;
• 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 routine legal issues and assists in researching 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 statutes, regulations and rulings;
• Participates in the conduct of various educational activities;
• Reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;
• Assists in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals;
• Reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency;
• May provide legal counsel and advice when duly authorized;
• May testify at or monitor legislative proceedings;
• Performs related duties as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

A degree from an accredited law school. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in administrative law or legal practice within a public sector or governmental setting
• Experience with administrative hearings, regulatory matters, or public-sector legal work
• Experience applying or interpreting the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), public records, or open government principles
• Experience conducting legal research, analyzing legal authorities, and drafting regulations within an administrative or regulatory setting
• Experience managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines
• Experience with oral and written communication, including communicating legal matters to non-legal staff SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Individuals who meet the qualifications and requirements for admission under Section 2-13 of the Connecticut Practice Book must become admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.