Legal Office Director (Environmental Conservation)

State of Connecticut - Department of Correction; Hartford (CT); Híbrido; USD 120.000 - 180.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Benefits Overview

Professional growth

Work-life balance

Descripción de la vacante

The State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) seeks an Office Director (Legal) to lead the Office of Legal Counsel. This role supports the Commissioner and EC Branch staff across fisheries, forestry, wildlife, parks, and related programs in a fast-paced environment.

Ideal candidate provides broad legal counsel on policy, contracts, and enforcement matters, with experience in state and federal proceedings, and is admitted to the Connecticut Bar.

Formación

• Strong written and oral communication for complex legal matters.
• Experience leading legal teams and managing cross‑functional projects.
• Ability to draft, review and implement regulations, agreements and policies.
• Experience with public sector regulatory processes and administrative procedures.
• Experience providing legal advice across fisheries, forests, wildlife and public lands.

Responsabilidades

• Provide legal support to the Commissioner and EC Branch leadership.
• Support litigation matters, contracts, RFIs/RFPs and procurement documents.
• Advise on legislative, regulatory and administrative matters affecting EC programs.
• Assist with real estate, land use, grants and public safety initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Attorney General and Claims Office as needed.

Conocimientos

Legal communication

Team leadership

Regulatory oversight

Contract drafting

Litigation support

Educación

CT Bar admission

Descripción del empleo

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has an exciting opportunity for an Office Director (Legal) position with the Office of Legal Counsel.

DEEP is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

The Office Director (Legal) for DEEP’s Environmental Conservation branch focuses on supporting the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of the Environmental Conservation Branch, and the 300 staff members within the Bureaus of Natural Resources (BNR) and Outdoor Recreation (BOR). BNR is composed of the Divisions of Fisheries, Forestry, and Wildlife, and BOR is composed of the Divisions of Boating, the Environmental Conservation Police, and Parks. The legal work is diverse, interesting and fast paced, and covers a wide range of tasks, such as addressing litigation matters; drafting, negotiating and reviewing public/private partnership agreements designed to enhance the experience of those enjoying our state parks and forests; drafting and reviewing policies and procedures, directives, regulations and legislation affecting the EC Branch’s programs; supporting federal funding opportunities for EC Branch programs and services; offering legal assistance concerning fisheries, forestry and wildlife management, fielding the day-to-day legal questions as they arise; and so much more. This is an appointed position and serves at the pleasure of the DEEP Commissioner.

What We Can Offer You

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!


• Professional growth and development opportunities.


• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Work Schedule

• Monday-Friday, hybrid schedule.


• Location: Hartford, CT.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides legal support to the Office of the Commissioner, with a particular focus on serving the legal needs of the EC Branch, including but not limited to, matters related to wildlife, fisheries, forests, parks, boating, and the Environmental Conservation Police; hunting and fishing; management of inland and coastal fisheries, forests, and wildlife; protection of threatened and endangered species; management and acquisition of public lands, including state parks, state forests, boat launches, and wildlife management areas; emergency response, enforcement, and public safety activities of the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police; and programs which facilitate equitable public access to and enjoyment of outdoor recreational opportunities.


• Provides legal support to the agency in the development of Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for partnerships with the private sector to provide public services on DEEP managed properties. This could include development of leases, concession agreements, special use licenses and other similar documents.


• Provides legal support to the agency in claims involving death, personal injury, and property damage before the Office of the Claims Commissioner or the court, while working with the Office of the Attorney General.


• Provides legal advice and support in legislative, regulatory and administrative matters affecting the EC Branch programs.


• Provides legal advice and support related to protection of natural resources, land use and real estate, public safety, transactions including personal service agreements, grants and memoranda of understanding, civil rights, and more.

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Purpose of job class (Nature of Work)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority this class is accountable for directing the staff and programs of an office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience effectively communicating to both legal and programmatic stakeholders including preparing written legal communications entailing legal research and analysis, such as memoranda of law, legal briefs, decisions or opinions for judicial or administrative proceedings;


• Experience leading teams and managing projects, including the review and oversight of the work product and performance of legal personnel;


• Experience with administrative processes and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, including drafting or promulgating regulations, participating in or adjudicating contested case proceedings, or participating in administrative appeals;


• Experience in administrative or judicial proceedings in state or federal forums;


• Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to achieve a client's objectives;


• Experience in establishing partnerships between the public and private sector which could include development of Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or other similar procurement methods;


• Experience independently preparing, reviewing, and enforcing contract terms and conditions including those related to personal services, facility access, and acquisition, care and management of real property;


• Experience drafting, reviewing or implementing 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.

Conclusion

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.