Agency Legal Director

JobAps; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex/telework after probation

Growth opportunities

Work-life balance

Job summary

State of Connecticut Department of Public Health seeks an Agency Legal Director to head the Legal Office, supervising 25 attorneys and staff. The role advises the Commissioner on statutory and regulatory matters, risk management, and policy development.

It requires CT bar admission or eligibility with membership within six months and is located in Hartford with full-time scheduling. The position focuses on complex legal issues, contracting oversight, and collaboration with the Attorney General's

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in CT or eligible per CT admission process and must join CT Bar within six months.
• Experience leading and developing a legal staff.
• Experience writing and reviewing legal documents (briefs, MOUs, contracts).
• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws and regulations.
• Experience with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA).
• Experience with the CT legislative process, including drafting legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the agency's legal staff and provide advisory support to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners.
• Perform advanced and complex legal work for the agency.
• Provide input to leadership for policy formation.
• Research, interpret, and apply complex laws, regulations, and case law.
• Oversee contracting, procurement, and related legal documents.
• Review regulatory decisions and related documents for legal sufficiency.
• Consult with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues.
• Review and edit advisory opinions, rulings, legislation, and regulations.
• Support FOIA compliance and data privacy guidance.

Skills

Legal leadership

Legal research

Drafting legal documents

Regulatory interpretation

Contract review/drafting

Job description

Agency Legal Director

Are you admitted to practice law in the State of CT and looking for an exciting new opportunity to serve your state? Join us as an Agency Legal Director and positively impact the lives of others! The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Agency Legal Director to head the Legal Office which includes a team of 25 attorneys and support staff and will serve as the Legal advisor to the Commissioner, and Deputy Commissioners on statutory authority, regulatory interpretation, risk management and policy development. This is an appointed position and is critical to the Department's ability to comply with federal and state statutes and regulations thereby protecting and promoting public health. Please note you must be a current State of CT employee to be considered for this position (see Selection Plan for additional details).

Position Highlights

• Location: 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Work Shift: Full-time, First Shift
• Work Hours: 40 hours per week
• Opportunity for a flex and telework schedule after successful completion of the probationary period

What We Can Offer You

• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees

Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH)

• Assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy
• Preventing disease, injury, and disability
• Promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

Purpose Of Job Class (Nature Of Work)

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing the legal staff of the agency and acting as legal advisor to the Commissioner in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on complex legal issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead other staff attorneys in supporting agency projects and initiatives;
• Perform advanced and complex legal work for the agency;
• Provide input to agency leadership for policy formation;
• Research, interpret, analyze and apply complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
• Oversee the agency's contracting and procurement processes; negotiate and draft contracts, data use agreements, memoranda of understand/agreement, and other legal instruments as may be needed;
• Review regulatory decisions and agreements and other related documents for legal sufficiency;
• Consult with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues;
• Review and edit advisory opinions, rulings, recommendations, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents;
• Oversee and provide guidance concerning Freedom of Information Act compliance; and
• Provide support and guidance to agency staff for data management and privacy issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience improving the efficiency of legal operations and managing legal staff
• Experience writing and reviewing legal documents (e.g., legal briefs, memorandums of understanding, agreements, contracts)
• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws and regulations
• Experience with legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut
• Experience with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA)
• Experience with the state legislative process, including drafting legislation

Special Requirements

Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut OR meet the qualifications and requirements for admission in accordance with Section 2-13 of the Connecticut Practice Book and obtain membership in the Connecticut Bar within six (6) months of appointment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.