Staff Attorney 2

    

The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) has an opening for a Staff Attorney 2 position.  CTECS is a statewide system of 17 technical high schools, serving approximately 11,000 high school students, which provides students with a comprehensive academic and advanced trade technologies curriculum. In addition, CTECS serves adult students in two aviation maintenance technician schools and a technical education center. 

CTECS is established and maintained by the State of Connecticut, State Department of Education , advised by the CTECS Board and is moving toward becoming a separate state agency. CTECS’ attorneys provide legal advice to the agency on variety of school law topics such as student discipline, expulsion, civil rights, safety, curriculum, education records/FERPA, special education, Title IX, freedom of information, investigations, student data privacy and the impact of new legislation. CTECS’ attorneys handle a variety of employment and labor relations matters, represent the agency at administrative hearings, conduct legal workshops and professional development for staff and system board, review and negotiate contracts, assist with litigation and state claims commission cases, draft and revise school district policies, manuals and handbooks.

The standard work schedule is 8 hours per day for a 40-hour workweek; however, there may be times when an attorney is required to work additional hours due to operational needs.  This position requires travel throughout the state.

Incumbent must be licensed to practice law in the State of Connecticut.  Occasional in-state travel required; infrequent out-of-state travel may be required.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application 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. Due to the volume of applications anticipated, Human Resources is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.  For all other inquiries, please contact Chris Beloff at chris.beloff@ct.gov; 860-713-6697.

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.

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.

The following experience and training is preferred:

• Knowledge of state and federal statutes and regulations relevant to school law
• Experience drafting legal memoranda and opinions
• Ability to research and interpret the law and provide counsel to school officials on a variety of topics including special education, employment, labor relations and contracts
• Strong interpersonal and written communication skills
• Knowledge and experience in the development and revision of policies
• Experience with fact-finding or investigations
• Excellent oral presentation skills
• Experience conducting trainings on legal topics to non-lawyers

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.