Staff Asst.-Counsel To The Employment Security Board Of Review

The State of Connecticut, Department of Labor (DOL) is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of Connecticut workers. In order to accomplish this in an ever-changing environment, we assist workers and employers to become competitive in the global economy. We take a comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of workers and employers, and the other agencies that serve them. We ensure the supply of high-quality integrated services that serve the needs of our customers.

The Employment Security Appeals Division is seeking a Counsel to the Employment Security Board of Review.  This position supervises the legal staff, is expected to serve as Acting Chairperson of the Board in the absence of the Chairperson or in the event of any conflict, and represents the Board in court proceedings where the Board intervenes as a party.  This management position also takes a lead role in providing legal advice and training to the hearing officers who conduct the first level unemployment compensation appeals hearings and who conduct hearings in Connecticut Family and Medical Leave and Paid Family Medical Leave cases. The  ideal candidate will have considerable knowledge of the relevant law and procedures, excellent research and writing skills, strong attention to detail and experience managing competing priorities in a production environment.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, first shift position. Travel may be required.

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: DOL.HR@ct.gov.  

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Labor, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

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

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

Candidates who submit an untimely, incomplete or inaccurate application will not be considered for this employment opportunity.

In the Employment Security Board of Review, this class is accountable for supervising Board staff members and conducting research on questions of law and appellate procedure and for advising members of the Appeals Division on legal issues.

Serves as Acting Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson; supervises and reviews work of Staff Attorneys; if authorized by the Attorney General's office, may represent the Board in court appeals where the Board intervenes as a party; consults with Attorney General's office on legal matters; conducts research on legal issues and interpretations of unemployment compensation law for application to cases before the Board; researches and drafts decisions for Board members; reviews and recommends disposition of motions to reopen, vacate, modify, or set aside decisions issued by the Board; prepares and maintains a precedent manual of Board of Review and court decisions for use by Appeals Referees and the Board; drafts and issues explanatory memoranda interpreting court decisions on unemployment compensation issues for use by Referees; advises Referees, upon request, on legal questions pertaining to procedural and substantive problems arising from appeals and hearings; resolves questions of law and appellate procedure for attorneys representing claimants and employers during the pendency of an appeal within the Labor Department or after the issuance of the Board's decision; assists the Chairperson in preparing recommendations for amendments to the unemployment compensation law pertaining to appellate matters; assists with non-evidentiary and evidentiary hearings on appeals to the Board; upon direction, may appear for the Board Chairperson on agency committees and in dealings with legal community; performs related duties as required.

This specific position will:

Serve on agency committees on behalf of the Board.

Provide substantive training to appeals division staff.

Serve as a hearing officer, mentor and certified mediator in the most complicated and sensitive contested case hearings on complaints filed under the CFMLA.

Train, advise and mentor appeals division staff hearing PFML appeals.

 

Considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations; considerable knowledge of quasi-judicial procedures, rules of evidence, and the judicial rules of procedure pertaining to administrative agencies; knowledge of labor problems, with particular reference to unemployment; considerable oral and written communications skills; interpersonal skills; considerable ability to comprehend, interpret and apply laws, regulations and court decisions; considerable ability to make sound decisions on the basis of findings of fact, evidence and applicable laws, regulations and precedent judicial rulings; supervisory ability.

Three (3) years of experience in legal/adjudicative work involving unemployment compensation.

Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

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.