Legal Program Director

State of Connecticut; Hartford (CT); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection, invites applications for the Legal Program Director within the Legal Division. The role leads a team of attorneys, paralegals, and investigators focused on enforcing the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practice Act and the Connecticut Lemon Law Program.

Responsibilities include case development, negotiation, and prosecution at administrative hearings, policy development for the division, and coordination with the Office of the Attorney

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience as an attorney with responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory and/or legal programs.
• Experience with administrative hearings and policy development is preferred.
• Experience managing attorneys, paralegals, or investigators is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs staff and operations of the legal unit and works with the Attorney General on complex legal matters.
• Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities.
• Assists in development of agency program proposals, rules and policy.
• Interprets statutes and regulations and ensures conformance with statutory purpose and authority.
• Maintains contacts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Drafts, negotiates, and completes administrative reviews of contracts and agreements.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Management

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Policy analysis

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Licensed attorney in Connecticut

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is now inviting applications for the dynamic role of Legal Program Director within the Legal Division.

• Our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Position Highlights

• Full-time, 40 hours/week
• Monday - Friday, First shift
• Hybridand flex work schedules available
• Weekend and evening availability may be required to meet agency needs
• Location: 450 Columbus Blvd, Hartford

The Role

The Legal Program Director role is within the Legal Division.

Duties include:

• Responsible for case development, negotiation, and prosecution at administrative hearings
• Oversee a team of attorneys, paralegals, and investigators focused on enforcing the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practice Act
• Oversee team of attorneys, analysts, and investigators charged with enforcing the Connecticut Lemon Law Program
• Assist with developing and operationalizing policy in the Legal Division
• Other related duties

OUR MISSION

The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is to promote a fair and equitable marketplace and to ensure safe products and services for consumers in the industries that it regulates.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Departments of Consumer Protection and Housing, Office of Early Childhood and Social Equity Council (SEC) this class is accountable for directing staff engaged in conducting research and advising on matters pertaining to law, legislation, regulations and administrative policy.

In a Constitutional Office this class is accountable for managing programs and processes, conducting research and advising leadership on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations, contracts and/or administrative policy.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of the legal unit and in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General works on a variety of difficult, complex and sensitive legal matters;
• Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities;
• Assists in development of agency program proposals, rules and policy;
• Interprets statutes and regulations and ensures conformance with statutory purpose and authority;
• Evaluates staff;
• Assists in developing budget proposals for consistency with statutes and regulations;
• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of unit who might impact program activities;
• Provides staff training and assistance;
• Researches and advises on matters pertaining to law, legislation, regulations and administrative policy;
• Drafts proposed legislation and regulations;
• Provides assistance to staff in implementing newly enacted legislation;
• Conducts and assists staff in preparation for administrative proceedings including preparation of administrative record;
• Prepares final decisions in contested cases;
• Assists staff and Office of the Attorney General in preparation for court cases;
• Drafts, negotiates, and completes administrative review of contracts and agreements;
• Advises on matters which require an opinion from Office of the Attorney General and drafts requests for opinions;
• Acts as liaison between Commissioner, agency head or other administrative official and Attorney General;
• Assists staff on matters relating to enforcement orders and civil penalties;
• Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• May conduct legal seminars for department staff;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • relevant agency policies and procedures;
  • Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
  • legislative process;
• Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and practices;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Considerable ability to interpret, analyze and prepare legislation and other legal documents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory and/or legal programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Legal experience with the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act
• Experience with identifying legal issues from consumer complaints
• Experience managing attorneys, paralegals, or investigators
• Experience appearing before Connecticut boards and commissions, such as Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or Freedom of Information Commission
• Experience working with arbitration proceedings

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must be a member of the Connecticut Bar.

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.