Staff Attorney 2

The State of Connecticut, Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) is currently recruiting for a Staff Attorney 2. The selected candidate will act as a state leader for legal assistance for the older adult population. 

In this position, you will:

• Strengthen the state's legal service delivery system, ensuring state capacity for coordinating the provisions of legal assistance.

• Uphold the requirements of the Older American Act (OAA), including addressing the unmet need for legal services of older adults who are economically needy.

• Build effective advocacy coalitions and legal services partnerships across the state.

• Ensure state capacity to improve the quality and quantity of legal services provided to older adults.

• Play a crucial role in training, service coordination, resource development, targeting and quality assurance.

• Monitor the five area Agencies on Aging who fund legal services provider under Title III and Title VII grants under the OAA.

• Serve as a Co-chair of the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut, a group that helps prevent elder abuse and protects the rights of vulnerable elders in CT and strengthen and improve the programs and services available to elder abuse victims in CT.

• Draft ADS SUA statues, regulations, legislation and testimony.

• Research, interpret, analyze and apply complex laws and regulations and legal principles.

• Research, compiles legal issues.

• Review legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency.

• Provide legal guidance and direction to staff.

• Negotiate client and vendor complaints, including appeals.

• Deliver public address/conference workshops regarding legal services for older adults.

All Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application with submission.  Please Note: you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

If selected to interview, please bring the following at the time of interview:

·Non State employee: Three (3) professional references from current or former supervisors.

·State Employee: Two (2) most recent service ratings at the time of the interview.

This position will be filled in accordance with reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Human Resources at 860-424-4985.

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.

• Experience with legal services for older adults.

• Experience in working with elder abuse victims or protecting the rights of vulnerable elders.

• Experience in guiding and building partnerships.

• Experience of legal writing skills.

• Experience in training and presentation skills.

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.