Assistant Legal Director

The Department of Children and Families are working together with families and communities for children who are healthy, safe, smart and strong. We are recruiting for a full-time Legislative and Administrative Manager in the agency’s Legal Division.  This is a first-shift, forty (40) hours per week position, located at 505 Hudson Street, Harford, CT.

The incumbent in this position will be responsible for drafting and advising the Commissioner on matters pertaining to child protective services legislation, regulations and administrative policy; implementation of newly enacted legislation; grant writing; managing and directing the agency communications services; developing, managing and implementing child protective services and public health campaigns and initiatives; procurement of innovative contracting sources, including working with philanthropic organizations and experience with drafting and administering social impact bonds; serving as the agency liaison with stakeholders, other agencies and states on child protection matters; supervision of professional staff.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application, as well as upload a cover letter with their submission.  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.

Should you have questions pertaining to any phase of this recruitment, please contact the hiring agency's human resources office:  Jasmyn Raymond, jasmyn.raymond@ct.gov, (860) 550-6484.

In the Departments of Children and Families and Environmental Protection, this class is accountable for directing and supervising legal staff engaged in the legal work of the agency; works closely with the Office of the Attorney General on all legal matters.

Directs the staff a legal unit; coordinates, plans and manages unit activities; formulates program goals and objectives; determines priorities and oversees and reviews work; provides staff training and assistance; conducts performance evaluations; in consultation with Office of the Attorney General performs a variety of difficult, complex and sensitive legal work; researches and advises Commissioner on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations and administrative policy; conducts and assists staff in preparation for administrative proceedings including preparation of administrative record; prepares final decisions of Commissioner in contested cases; assists staff and Office of the Attorney General in preparation for court cases; interprets statutes and regulations and ensures conformance with statutory purpose and authority; advises Commissioner concerning matters which require an opinion from Office of the Attorney General and drafts requests for opinions; acts as liaison between Commissioner and Attorney General; assists staff on matters relating to enforcement orders and civil penalties; makes recommendations regarding agency program proposals, rules and policy; assists in developing budget proposals for consistency with statutes and regulations; drafts proposed legislation and regulations; provides assistance to staff in implementing newly enacted legislation; may conduct legal seminars for department staff; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principals and techniques; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and civil procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of legal practices and procedures in state and federal courts; knowledge of legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable administrative ability.

Three (3) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

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.