Staff Attorney 2

State of Connecticut; Wethersfield (CT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor in Wethersfield seeks a Staff Attorney 2 to join the Legal Division. The role involves independent, complex legal work, advising on CT laws and representing the agency in proceedings.

Requirements include admission to the Connecticut bar, at least two years of legal practice, strong research and writing skills, and the ability to handle diverse assignments. After a probation period, a hybrid telework option may be considered.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.
• Admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
• Experience with administrative proceedings and legal research.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Conducts advanced legal research and applies CT law to agency matters.
• Represents the agency in formal administrative and court proceedings as needed.
• Drafts advisory opinions, rulings, and other legal documents for the agency.
• Assists in preparation and presentation of trials and appeals.
• Provides legal guidance and input into policy formation and agency decisions.
• Reviews court decisions and new laws to assess impact on operations.

Skills

Legal research

Oral communication

Written communication

Case analysis

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Westlaw/LexisNexis

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is currently sourcing for a Staff Attorney 2 to join our team's Legal Division, located in Wethersfield, CT. The Legal Division is responsible for providing legal guidance on all laws under the jurisdiction of DOL to the executive administration and giving support and assistance to agency staff. This position is open to current state employees.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• SHIFT: Full-time | first-shift
• SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (40 hours per week)
• LOCATION: Wethersfield, CT
• YOUR ROLE: You can learn more about this position within the class specification and the 'Examples of Duties' section below.
• NOTE: After successful completion of the working test period, the role may offer a hybrid telework schedule.

BENEFITS & BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

As an employee, we will continue to offer you:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage.
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings.
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees.
• State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.

We invite you to view our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn more.

In addition, the State puts an emphasis on:

• Providing limitless opportunities;
• Hiring for diversity and fresh perspectives;
• Performing meaningful work and;
• Encouraging a healthy work/life balance!

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

ABOUT OUR AGENCY

The Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in a constantly evolving environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

START WITH US. STAY WITH US. GROW WITH US.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the legal work of the agency.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Performs advanced and complex legal work of an agency;
• Researches, interprets, analyzes and applies complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
• Acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues;
• 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 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 and applies complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
• Participates in the conduct of various educational activities;
• Provides legal guidance when duly authorized;
• Provides input into policy formation;
• Reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;
• Prepares and maintains precedent manuals;
• Reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency;
• May testify at or monitor legislative proceedings;
• May represent agency in court when authorized;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience researching, interpreting and applying relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation that relate to CT statutes and regulations within CTDOL’s jurisdiction.
• Experience conducting investigations and preparing findings.
• Experience with the mediation process in a complaint investigation.
• Experience drafting legal documents in administrative proceedings.
• Experience with public speaking and presenting seminars/webinars.
• Experience effectively communicating with and advising clients on legal matters in both written and oral forms.
• Experience managing competing deadlines and handling sensitive information.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

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.