Paralegal Specialist

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and 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.

DEEP's Office of Legal Counsel advises the Commissioner, and the Department as a whole, on a wide variety of legal issues.  Some of those legal duties include interpreting and administering energy and environmental laws, advising and drafting legislation and regulations, assisting in the enforcement of the Department’s statutes, responding to Freedom of Information requests, drafting legal memoranda, orders, and declaratory rulings, participating in administrative proceedings, and consulting with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation matters. The Office of Legal Counsel advises and assists all of the bureaus within the Department. One of those bureaus supported by the Office of Legal Counsel is the Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy (BETP). 

BETP was established in 2011 to develop and implement comprehensive state-wide energy policy. BETP develops plans, programs, strategies and initiatives designed to promote cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy for Connecticut. BETP includes three offices: the Office of Climate Change, Technology and Research: the Office of Energy Demand; and the Office of Energy Supply.  

The Office of Climate Change, Technology and Research is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of state-wide policies and  programs to further Connecticut's climate change goals required under Connecticut General Statutes sections 22a-200a et seq. of the Global Warming  Solutions Act. In addition, the Office provides program oversight and direction for Connecticut's Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI). The Office also works on programs to promote innovative renewable energy, and energy efficiency technologies.

The Office of Energy Demand (OED) is responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of state-wide policies on consumer utilization of energy resources.  The OED: oversees state-wide energy efficiency investments and programs sponsored by the State and the utilities; applies for and oversees federal grant funds in support of energy demand policy goals and objectives; and sets policy goals and objectives, establishes metrics and oversees state-wide data collection  and analysis efforts regarding the use of energy resources by consumers.  

The Office of Energy Supply (OES) leads the development of Connecticut's Comprehensive Energy Strategy, evaluates energy infrastructure and energy reliability issues for electric, gas, renewables and delivered fuels. OES also is responsible for implementing several innovative energy programs including a statewide micro grid program and programs focused on grid modernization and the integration of energy storage.  

DEEP's Office of Legal Counsel is currently recruiting for a full-time Paralegal Specialist to support the Office of Legal Counsel and specifically the BETP legal director and BETP staff attorneys. There may be times, however, when paralegal support is needed for other legal office staff. This position is responsible for providing a wide range of legal support and guidance. 

The work schedule for this full-time, 40-hour position, is Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

The position is located at 10 Franklin Square in New Britain, CT.

Applicants must include a resume within the “Resume Tab” of their application.

Questions regarding this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov or (860) 424-3006.

This position is competitive. Open to the public. 

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation in support of their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, etc., at the discretion of the agency.

Please Note:  You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.  

 

In a state agency, this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases; as a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:

LEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS: Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents; determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation; interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations; keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation; monitors and adheres to court deadlines; reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings; responds to relevant case information requests from courts; performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material; prepares draft legal documents; provides assistance in the discovery process; provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies; responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature; acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public; serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures; prepares legal and administrative reports; updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems; assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff; may perform business mathematical computations; performs related duties as required.

CASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING: Analyzes highly complex cases; develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; prepares for and represents State’s interest at hearings or through case presentation; researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation; interviews witnesses and clients; drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings; performs related duties as required.

This specific position provides support in a wide range of areas, including but not limited to the following activities and other duties as assigned:

Assist in case preparation for court cases and administrative hearings such as hearings before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Siting Council, and the Freedom of Information Commission;

Maintain the DEEP Energy Filings system, including organizing and managing responses to DEEP’s Requests for Proposals;

Answer telephone and email inquiries from the public and DEEP Energy proceeding participants and refer calls and emails to designated recipients;

Coordinate and track confidentiality protocols;

Update and maintain case records, pleadings, policy manuals, and filing systems; coordinate and collect responses to Freedom of Information requests;

Update and maintain weekly PURA docket tracking reports; conduct basic legal research and analysis of legal sources; proofread and correct administrative pleadings, testimony, interrogatories, briefs, and other documents;

Assist with the discovery process and subpoena responses;

Act as a liaison between the BETP attorneys, administrative tribunals, courts, external legal offices and the general public;

Assist with contract review;

Assist in the preparation of legal and administrative reports;

Assist in the drafting and review of proposed legislation;

Assist in the set-up and coordination of BETP public meetings; and work with attorneys from the agency as well as the Attorney General’s Office in regard to third party bankruptcy matters in which the agency has a vested interest.    

Considerable knowledge of legal processes and procedures; considerable knowledge of legal terminology and legal forms; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data; considerable ability to compose correspondence and draft legal documents; ability to understand complex laws and related reports; ability to utilize computer software.

The General Experience is defined as one of the following:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

2. An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

3. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

4. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

5. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

6. A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

Preference will be given to candidates who have:

A minimum of three (3) years of experience providing paralegal support to an attorney in the area of energy law.

Significant experience processing freedom of information requests.

Experience working with bankruptcy matters.

Experience working with confidential commercial and financial information. 

Experience interpreting complex financial documents.     

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.