Staff Attorney 2

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment- and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.

The Bureau of Energy Technology Policy (BETP) works on local, state and regional energy policy issues at DEEP. BETP staff members develop plans and policies to implement Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy, procure renewable energy resources in accordance with DEEP's statutory authority, develop and implement Connecticut's Integrated Resources Plan, oversee the planning and implementation of the state’s energy efficiency programs, work with the state’s Energy Efficiency Board, administer the state’s weatherization Assistance Program, develop plans and policies related to renewable energy projects, develop and implement Connecticut’s climate change action plan and more.

BETP has a current opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2. This position will provide legal support to the Offices of Energy Supply, Energy Demand and Climate Change.

The position is located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week.

The selected candidate must have a valid driver's license. May be required to travel.

Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume with their applications. (Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)  Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Anne Dana, anne.dana@ct.gov, (860)424-3354. 

Candidates selected for moving forward in the hiring process will be required to submit a writing sample.

This position is non-competitive. Open to the public.

The selected candidate must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

Must be able to provide proof of admission to practice law in the State of Connecticut and a member in good standing of the Connecticut bar prior to any offer of employment. 

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.

This specific position will:

a) Represent the Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy (BETP) in regional and federal energy policy matters including writing and reviewing documents for formal administrative and public proceedings concerning energy policy issues before the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Authority (FERC) the Federal Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) and other public proceedings involving legal and technical issues, in conjunction with the Independent System Operator, New England (ISO-NE), the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE) and the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA);

b) Analyze complex technical evidence and filings at ISO-NE, FERC, U.S.DOE and PURA;

c) Negotiate and draft settlement agreements; 

d) Draft and review advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, contracts, publications and other related legal documents;

e) Consult with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues; 

f) Research routine legal issues and assist in researching complex legal issues; 

g) Respond to Freedom of Information requests and requests for advice from agency personnel concerning the Code of Ethics;

h) Prepare interrogatories, briefs, written exceptions, pleadings and other administrative and court papers; 

I) Interpret statutes, regulations and rulings; 

j) Participate in the conduct of various educational activities; 

k) Provide legal counsel and advice to agency personnel; 

l) May testify at or monitor energy or legislative proceedings;

m) Reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;

n) Assists in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals;

o) Reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; and

p) Acts as a hearing officer for BETP public meetings.

 

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.

Knowledge of energy, environmental and/or utility law;

Knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut; 

Knowledge of legal research techniques; 

Knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act and civil procedures;

Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal statutes, regulations and legislation; 

Knowledge of the legislative process; 

Excellent oral and written communication skills; 

Ability to comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

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.