Staff Attorney 2

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment, and providing cleaner and more affordable energy.

The Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy (BETP) works on developing and implementing local, state, and regional energy policy issues at DEEP. BETP staff members develop plans and policies to implement Connecticut’s Comprehensive Energy Strategy, procure renewable energy resources in accordance with DEEP's statutory authority, develop and implement Connecticut's Integrated Resources Plan, oversee the planning and implementation of the state’s energy efficiency programs, work with the state’s Energy Efficiency Board, administer the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program, develop plans and policies related to renewable energy projects, develop and implement the state’s Electric Vehicle Roadmap, develop and implement Connecticut’s climate change action plan, and more.

The Office of Legal Counsel, which advises and assists all of the bureaus within the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, has a current  opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2. This position will provide legal support to BETP, and throughout the agency as directed by the commissioner.  

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

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday. 

Applicants must include a resume within the “Resume Tab” of their application.  Candidates who do not submit the above required document will not be considered.

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

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

The selected candidate must have a valid driver's license and may be required to travel.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, performance reviews, supervisory references, etc., at the discretion of the agency.

Please note:  This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please also check your Junk or SPAM folders, as emails may inadvertently end up there.

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.

Duties and responsibilities specific to this position include, but are not limited to:

Represent the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in administrative state, regional, and federal energy matters, including writing and reviewing documents for formal administrative and public proceedings concerning energy policy issues before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Authority (FERC), the Federal Department of Energy (U.S. DOE), and in other public proceedings involving legal and technical issues, in conjunction with the Independent System Operator, New England (ISO-NE), and the New England States Committee on Electricity (NESCOE);  

Analyze complex technical evidence and filings at ISO-NE, FERC, U.S.DOE and PURA;  

Negotiate, draft, and review agreements, including, but not limited to, settlement agreements;  

Draft and review: briefs, recommendations to senior staff, findings of fact and law, legislation, statutes, regulations, and contracts;  

Consult with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Consumer Counsel on legal issues;  

Research complex legal issues;  

Respond to Freedom of Information requests and requests  for advice from agency personnel concerning the Code of Ethics;  

Prepare interrogatories, briefs, written exceptions, pleadings, and other administrative and court papers;  

Interpret statutes, regulations, rulings, and contracts;   

Participate in the conduct of various educational activities;  

Provide legal counsel and advice to agency leadership and technical staff;  

May testify at or monitor energy or legislative proceedings;  

Review and analyze court decisions, new and proposed laws, and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;   

Assist in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals;  

Review legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; and  

May act as a hearing officer for BETP public meetings.

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.

·        Interest and/or experience in the fields of energy, the environment, and/or climate change mitigation;  

·        Excellent legal research and writing techniques;  

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills; and  

·        Litigation and/or appellate clerkship experience.

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.