Staff Assistant-Counsel To The Emp Sec Board Of Review

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy.  We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them.  We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

DOL has a current opportunity for a Staff Assistant-Counsel to the Employment  Security Board of Review.  This position supervises the legal staff, is expected to serve as  Acting Chairperson of the Board in the absence of the Chairperson or in the event of any  conflict, and represents the Board in court proceedings where the Board intervenes as a  party. This management position also takes a lead role in providing legal advice to the  hearing officers who conduct the first level unemployment compensation appeals  hearings and oversees the Connecticut Family and Medical Leave contested cases.

Applicants are required to submit a resume on the resume tab with their submission.

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  DOL.HR@CT.gov.

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

This position may be required to travel.

This position requires:

a) Three (3) years of experience in legal/adjudicative work involving unemployment compensation.

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

In the Employment Security Board of Review, this class is accountable for supervising Board staff members and conducting research on questions of law and appellate procedure and for advising members of the Appeals Division on legal issues.

Serves as Acting Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson; supervises and reviews work of Staff Attorneys; if authorized by the Attorney General's office, may represent the Board in court appeals where the Board intervenes as a party; consults with Attorney General's office on legal matters; conducts research on legal issues and interpretations of unemployment compensation law for application to cases before the Board; researches and drafts decisions for Board members; reviews and recommends disposition of motions to reopen, vacate, modify, or set aside decisions issued by the Board; prepares and maintains a precedent manual of Board of Review and court decisions for use by Appeals Referees and the Board; drafts and issues explanatory memoranda interpreting court decisions on unemployment compensation issues for use by Referees; advises Referees, upon request, on legal questions pertaining to procedural and substantive problems arising from appeals and hearings; resolves questions of law and appellate procedure for attorneys representing claimants and employers during the pendency of an appeal within the Labor Department or after the issuance of the Board's decision; assists the Chairperson in preparing recommendations for amendments to the unemployment compensation law pertaining to appellate matters; assists with non-evidentiary and evidentiary hearings on appeals to the Board; upon direction, may appear for the Board Chairperson on agency committees and in dealings with legal community; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations; considerable knowledge of quasi-judicial procedures, rules of evidence, and the judicial rules of procedure pertaining to administrative agencies; knowledge of labor problems, with particular reference to unemployment; considerable oral and written communications skills; interpersonal skills; considerable ability to comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations and court decisions; considerable ability to make sound decisions on the basis of findings of fact, evidence and applicable laws, regulations and precedent judicial rulings; supervisory ability.

Three (3) years of experience in legal/adjudicative work involving unemployment compensation.

The  ideal candidate will have broad based leadership accomplishments, including managing  competing priorities in a production environment, assisting in transitioning the agency to  a modernized unemployment hearing system, and improving the quality of the agency's  decision making.  

The candidate should also have excellent oral and written shills and strong attention to detail.    

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

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.