STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Staff Attorney 2

Recruitment #210901-0088AR-001

Introduction


Are you a CT Attorney looking for a new exciting role? Do you enjoy working in fast-paced collaborative environments? If so, come see how you can make an impact by serving your State. Read below & apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD), is now accepting applications for a Staff Attorney 2 role within the newly formed Social Equity Council (SEC). This full-time, 40 hours/week (flexibility is required to meet agency needs) Monday-Friday, opportunity is located at 450 Columbus Blvd Hartford, CT. DECD provides financial, technical, and workforce development assistance to municipalities, businesses, community development, tourism, culture, and arts organizations in Connecticut.  

Background: On June 22, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation that legalized and regulated the adult use of cannabis in Connecticut. This legislation will make comprehensive changes to create a novel and substantial regulatory and economic development apparatus within State government to operationalize the equitable and responsible legalization of adult-use cannabis.  

The Role: You will be working under the direction of the Social Equity Council (SEC). The SEC is responsible for overseeing the verification of social equity applicants, as defined in law, creating new programs to support both cannabis businesses, businesses in other industries, and managing the more general community investments derived from cannabis tax revenue. The SEC is led by an Executive Director and is overseen by a council comprising of appointees by the legislature, Governor, and other elected officials. The SEC will work closely with multiple State agencies, including DECD, and the Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), to carry out its duties. The Council will reflect the racial, gender and geographic diversity of the state, and will include experts in social justice, civil rights, economic development, and workforce development, as well as members of communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition and enforcement. 

Benefits: We participate in a competitive benefits package that includes comprehensive healthcare coverage, retirement plan options, paid time off and so much more! We also encourage a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

Watch the video below to see what it's like to be a State of CT employee! 
           

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please select the location(s) listed above on your application. Failure to indicate the location(s) listed above may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location. Ensure that your application is complete before submitting it. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. 

Should you have any questions about this recruitment please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov

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; 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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 statutes; considerable ability to comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience negotiating, drafting, and reviewing business and loan documents. 
  • Experience working with small businesses (Gross revenues which does not exceed $20,000,000 during the most recently completed fiscal year) and minority owned businesses ( a business that is at least 51 percent owned by one or more Minority-owned business means a business that is fifty-one percent or more owned, operated, and actively managed by one or more minority persons. "Minority" persons are persons who are Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American).
  • Legislative experience, including drafting regulations and statutes.
  • Experience in Social Justice.
  • Experience in Criminal Justice.
  • Experience working with boards, commissions, or councils.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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