Staff Attorney 2 (Hybrid)

CT; Wethersfield (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

The State of Connecticut Department of Labor (DOL) is recruiting a Staff Attorney 2 to join its Legal Division in Wethersfield, CT. The role focuses on providing high‑level legal guidance under CTDOL jurisdiction and supporting agency staff with complex legal matters.

Incumbents must be admitted to practice law in Connecticut and bring at least two years of legal experience, with strong research, writing, and analytical skills to handle diverse cases effectively.

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in the practice of law.
• Admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
• Strong legal research and writing abilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced and complex legal work for the agency.
• Research, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, and case law.
• Represent the agency in administrative and public proceedings.
• Draft settlement agreements, advisory opinions, and other legal documents.
• Assist in trials and appeals preparation and presentation.
• Consult with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues.
• Review and interpret new laws affecting agency operations.

Skills

Admitted to CT practice

Two years legal experience

Legal research and writing

Investigation and testimony

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

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Please include any related endorsements and/or certification and licensure credential details within your application.

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.