Agency Legal Director

State of Connecticut; New Britain (CT); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A state agency is seeking a Legal and Regulatory Director to oversee legal affairs and manage staff within the Office of Consumer Counsel. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with regulations, provide legal advice, and actively participate in shaping energy and telecommunications policies. Applicants must have a JD and substantial experience in law and management.

Benefits

Professional growth opportunities

Paid holidays

Healthy work/life balance

Qualifications

• Five years of experience as an attorney is required.
• Two years of managerial experience is essential.
• Must be admitted to practice law in Connecticut.

Responsibilities

• Direct legal staff and act as legal advisor to the Consumer Counsel.
• Provide general counsel duties and manage legal cases.
• Facilitate communication and coordinate with various teams.

Skills

Legal research

Regulatory compliance

Management skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Legislative research tools

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) has an exciting opportunity for a Legal and Regulatory Director (Agency Legal Director).

What's in it for you:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• 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 Years 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

The Legal & Regulatory Director will play a critical role in ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy and water, and telecommunication and broadband services in the state of Connecticut. Reporting to the Consumer Counsel, the Legal & Regulatory Director will have the opportunity to supervise an excellent team of attorneys, assist in coordination of the work of OCC’s technical staff, and oversee and participate in cases in both administrative and judicial settings, as well as performing wide ranging general counsel duties regarding legislation and regulations, contracting, litigation, ethics, employment and open records matters.

The Legal & Regulatory Director will assist the Consumer Counsel with policy development on matters addressed by the office, including but not limited to utility regulatory reform, grid modernization, electrification, energy affordability and water quality and service. This role may include:

• In coordination with the Consumer Counsel, direct staff and operations of the agency's legal and technical divisions, including a team of high-performing attorneys and accountants, to ensure coordinated strategy in rate cases, other PURA proceedings and litigation;
• Performing wide ranging general counsel duties regarding legislation and regulations, as well as contracting, litigation, ethics, employment and open records matters.
• Coordinate with legal and technical staff on formulating OCC regulatory priorities and objectives and the development of OCC positions on state and federal policies and law;
• Model and facilitate effective and open communication throughout the agency;
• Partner with the Consumer Counsel and Supervisor of Technical Analysis on high level organizational management and budget setting;
• In coordination with the Consumer Counsel, manage departmental structures, individual workplans, and evaluation processes; support individual lawyers’ professional development;
• Direct and conduct research on legal issues or relating to the agency’s regulatory and legislative work;
• In coordination with legal team, examine potential litigation and appeals and make recommendations to Consumer Counsel;
• Draft and review staff attorney drafts of legal memoranda, briefs, legal opinion letters, and regulatory filings;
• Participate in the drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations, agency policies, contracts and agreements;
• Perform wide ranging general counsel duties regarding legislation and regulations, as well as contracting, litigation, ethics, employment and open records matters.
• Manage or oversee responses to FOIA requests for the agency;
• Monitor Agency activities to ensure that they confirm with policy, procedures, regulations, legislation and state and federal laws;
• Testify before legislative committee and perform related legislative duties;
• Perform other related duties as needed.
• Occasional travel and participation in events outside regular work hours may be required.

About Us

The OCC is a small, independent state agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. OCC plays a critical role in ensuring that the transition to cleaner power generation benefits consumers, and supports equitable, affordable access to energy, water and telecommunications services.

The OCC is a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and is authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved. OCC also participates actively in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts. OCC also promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums, including elevating consumer interests in the deployment of state and federal funding and programs.

The OCC’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates
• Energy infrastructure (e.g., electric transmission lines, non-wires alternatives,)
• Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization
• Energy efficiency and demand response
• Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning
• Utility service quality and storm response
• Electric vehicles and energy storage
• Telecommunications service, service quality, and infrastructure, broadband access, and telecommunications policy.

Selection Plan

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 [e-mail].
• 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 Nicholas Naples at [e-mail].

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 directing the legal staff of the agency and acting as legal advisor to the Consumer Counsel.

Examples of Duties

• Provide general counsel duties for the Office, including interpreting, drafting and reviewing legislation, regulations, contracts and agreements, legal memoranda, declaratory rulings, orders, final decisions, legal briefs, and other written communications;
• Manage, mentor, evaluate and support a legal team comprised of attorneys and paralegals;
• Provide legal advice related to energy, water, telecommunications and administrative law matters;
• Research complex legal issues;
• Respond to Freedom of Information requests and requests for advice from agency personnel concerning the Code of Ethics;
• Support efforts to provide affordable and clean energy to all residents and business in an equitable manner;
• Provide legal counsel and advice to agency leadership and technical staff.
• Examines potential litigation and makes recommendations to Consumer Counsel;
• Participates in drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations and agency policies and guidance documents;
• Oversees drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts and agreements;
• Conducts investigations as required;
• Assists with the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection.

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
  • legal practices and procedures in federal courts and state venues;
  • legislative processes;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Five (5) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

Minimum Qualifications - Special Experience

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
NOTE: Managerial experience is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working on issues related to public service companies, rate regulation, energy markets, grid modernization, clean and renewable energy, affordability, cybersecurity, and/or reliability and resilience programs;
• Demonstrated comprehension of utility regulatory principles and ratemaking standards;
• Administrative law experience, including but not limited to interpreting state or federal statutes and regulations, experience with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA), and/or appearing before administrative bodies for hearings and other proceedings;
• Experience in State, federal and/or appellate litigation;
• Experience addressing complex policy challenges in the energy sector, including comprehending, analyzing, and applying technical data to legal standards;
• Experience supervising and creating strong and effective teams working in cultures defined by excellence, professionalism, trust, and respect;
• Experience formulating program or organization goals and objectives, developing and implementing procedures, initiating and developing policies and developing reports;
• Experience communicating, listening and negotiating skills to facilitate conversation and drive decision-making;
• Experience with contracting, corporate or organizational governance and/or FOIA or auditing functions.

Special Requirements

Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/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.