Agency Legal Director

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) seeks a qualified individual for the position of Agency Legal Director, with the Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, Office of the Commissioner, Legal Affairs Unit. POSITION 120277 LOCATION: Hartford, CT. This is a full-time forty (40) hours per week position. The work schedule is 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.

The DMHAS Agency Legal Director, will be responsible for directing all legal operations within the Legal Affairs Unit, which provides services to all divisions, across the State of CT for DMHAS. The Agency Legal Director will be responsible for assigning and providing oversight for all Legal Affairs work and specifically supervise Staff Attorney(s), Paralegal Specialist(s), and administrative support staff.

The Legal Affairs Unit provides numerous services to include, but is not limited to; policy review and development, complex case litigation research, pleadings and other court paperwork, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, representation of the agency at administrative hearings such as FOI Commission, review and draft all agreements/contracts on behalf of the agency, administer legal holds, address subpoenas, provide legal guidance to the Commissioner/Division Heads/employees related to issues arising from their employment, research/interpret/apply appropriate State and Federal statutes along with administrative rules and regulations. Assists in the investigation and evaluation of issues related to Healthcare Compliance.

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system

Questions about this recruitment should be directed to Cheryl Thompson, DMHAS HR, Cheryl.Thompson@ct.gov or (860) 418-6876.

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing the legal staff of the agency and acting as legal advisor to the Commissioner, in consultation with the Attorney General's office on complex legal issues.

Directs staff and operations of the agency's legal division; coordinates, plans and manages division activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policies; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of division budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of division who might impact on program activities; in consultation with the Attorney General's office, directs the research of legal issues or researches complex legal issues relating to the agency; examines potential litigation and makes recommendations to agency Commissioner; drafts legal memoranda, legal opinion letters or declaratory rulings; participates in the drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations and agency policies and guidance documents; oversees the drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts and agreements; may manage all FOIA requests for the agency; conducts investigations as required; may act as agency legislative liaison; may testify before legislative committee; performs related duties are required.

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

1. Three (3) years of the experience must have been at the advanced working level, practicing law related to the agency's business or operations.
   
2. Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity.

NOTE: Managerial experience is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.

Preference will be given to candidates who possess the following:

•Three years of experience as a manager overseeing legal functions;
•Eight years of experience practicing law;
•General knowledge and experience pertaining to public employment and related issues;
•Experience advising managers on issues pertaining to Equal Employment Opportunity and employment relations;
•Litigation experience;
•Experience in handling or providing oversight of administrative/procedural hearings.

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.