Staff Attorney 1

The State of Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) is recruiting for a full time Staff Attorney 1 in the Office of the Commissioner in Rocky Hill, CT. A degree from an accredited law school is required. 

Duties will include

• Reviewing and drafting of contracts, memorandums of agreement/understanding, agency policies and regulations;
• Processing Freedom of Information Act requests for documents;
• Assisting with compilation of Agency data and documents for purposes of compliance with General Assembly and Board of Trustee reporting requirements;
• Performing various ancillary legal duties including the providing of formal and informal legal opinions to Agency staff;
• Coordinating timely responses to CHRO inquires, FOIA requests and review all Veteran disciplinary recommendations for legal sufficiency;
• Conducting a detailed review of the DVA Agency regulations, policies and procedures for the purpose of redrafting the same in order to update outdated provisions;
• Complying with federal and state statutory and regulatory mandates, incorporating new programs and policies of the agency and restructure, among other things, existing disciplinary, vocational work, residential programs and fees. 
• Assisting with processing and response to formal administrative petitions, complaints and appeals pursuant to state and federal law.
• Drafting of legislative proposals; identifying, reviewing and tracking of proposed legislation in General Assembly that applies to the Agency, veterans or service members in Connecticut.  
• Addressing informal inquiries, petitions and complaints as well as other related duties as delineated by the Commissioner.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application with their submission.  Please Note: You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Anita Cella at DVARecruit@ct.gov.

 

This position will be filled in accordance with reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

In a state agency this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work.

Receives generalized training in all aspects of agency legal work; acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings involving legal and technical issues; analyzes complex and technical evidence; 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 routine legal issues and assists in researching 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 statutes, regulations and rulings; participates in the conduct of various educational activities; may provide legal counsel and advice when duly authorized; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; assists in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals; reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; performs related duties as required.

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

A degree from an accredited law school.

1. Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut within one (1) year of the date of appointment. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
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.