Staff Attorney 2

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state’s cable television companies.  In the industries that are still wholly regulated, PURA balances the public’s right to safe, adequate and reliable utility service at reasonable rates with the provider’s right to a reasonable return on its investment. PURA also keeps watch over competitive utility services to promote equity among the competitors while customers reap the price and quality benefits of competition and are protected from unfair business practices.

PURA's attorneys provide legal advice, act as hearing officers, provide and check cites and statutory references, draft legal portions of Decisions, interpret statutes, review findings, draft, edit and/or review decisions, notices, etc. for legal appropriateness and sufficiency, act as mediators, draft proposed legislation and a host of other tasks.  The work of PURA is governed by statutes and regulations.  As such, there are deadlines and due process requirements that PURA must meet.

PURA currently has two (2) Staff Attorney 2 positions in the Adjudications Unit at our headquarters located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051. These positions are Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Applicants are required to upload a cover letter, resume, a sample of legal writing of five (5) to ten (10) pages that was not substantially edited by others and a copy of CT bar certification with their submission.

Qualified current State employees being considered for further steps in the hiring process will be required to submit their last two performance appraisals while qualified non-state employees being considered for further steps in the hiring process will be required to submit two professional letters of reference.  

 

The positions are non-competitive. Open to the public.

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

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; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; may represent agency in court when authorized; 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; performs related duties as required.

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

STAFF ATTORNEY 2: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.
STAFF ATTORNEY 3: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law at the level of Staff Attorney 2 in the same state agency.

Excellent legal writing skills. Significant experience conducting complex legal research using electronic databases. Knowledge of or experience in one or more of the following: energy, utility, accounting, finance, engineering, economics, environmental, or other related technical fields. Experience in one or more of the following: litigation, judicial clerkship, or administrative law.

1. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
2. May be required to travel.

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.