Policy And Legislative Advisor

Are you an attorney who chose a law career to “make a difference”?

This exciting career opportunity is for the dynamic, experienced and invested attorney who has the passion, ambition and vision to serve as the DAS Policy & Legislative Advisor, directing the DAS Legal & Legislative team and engaging in the ongoing transformation of state government to improve its functions and better serve the citizens of Connecticut.

DAS has wide-ranging responsibilities in state government, including the administration of the state’s information technology infrastructure, design, construction and management of state facilities, provision of statewide human resources, procurement of goods and services for public purposes, and enforcement of building and fire codes, among many other functions.

Key responsibilities:

The DAS Policy & Legislative Advisor will direct the DAS Legal and Legislative team and provide legal counsel and operational advice to DAS leadership.  Job responsibilities include:

• Serving as a confidential advisor to the DAS Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners and senior staff
• Leading DAS's legislative program, including developing legislative proposals, drafting testimony, and advocating on behalf of the agency
• Serving as the Commissioner’s designee on inter-agency committees, special projects and initiatives
• Developing agency-specific and statewide policies and protocols and assisting managers and staff with their implementation, including but not limited to personnel policies
• Drafting and reviewing regulations, memoranda of understanding, legal correspondence, reports, audit responses, and similar documents
• Representing DAS at administrative proceedings
• Acting as litigation manager and liaison to the Office of the Attorney General

The candidate selected for this role must be able to clearly articulate goals and objectives and will be required to develop excellent working relationships with legislators, constituents and other stakeholders as a representative of DAS.  In addition, the candidate must be able to prioritize work, handle multiple assignments and duties simultaneously, adjusting as required due to business needs, and effectively supervise staff.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact the team's Human Resources office: Mitch Samal, mitchell.j.samal@ct.gov, 860-713-5107.

* Incumbent may be required to work evening hours.

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

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include:  a cover letter, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in this class may apply for a lateral transfer.

In the Department of Administrative Services or Office of Policy and Management this class is accountable for conducting research and advising the agency head on matters pertaining to agency wide and statewide legislation, regulations and administrative policy issues.

Researches and advises agency head on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations and administration policy; assists in planning, coordinating and directing development of agency wide and statewide policy; formulates program goals and objectives; evaluates staff; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact on program activities; reviews statutes and regulations to insure conformance with statutory purpose and authority; advises agency head concerning matters which require an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General and drafts requests for opinion; directs development of plans for and provides assistance to departmental officials and staff in implementing newly enacted legislation; evaluates, develops alternative analyses and makes recommendations concerning agency program proposals, rules and policies; represents agency on gubernatorial, legislative and interagency task forces and commissions; coordinates departmental and interagency development of policy initiatives and legislation; directs one or more administrative units; reviews and drafts agency reports, contracts and regulations; may review agency legislation prior to submission to legislature to ensure conformity with policy objectives; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public administration including policy development and implementation; considerable knowledge of methods and procedures of legal and legislative research; knowledge of state document procedures; knowledge of legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to draft and interpret legislation and administrative regulations, proposals and reports; considerable ability to apply judicial decisions to interpretation of statutes and regulations.

Four (4) years of professional experience in a governmental, public affairs or business organization with primary responsibility for the research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

• Understanding of the functions of all of the units within DAS and DAS’s roles in State government
• Understanding of the state’s legislative process
• Understanding federal and state employment laws, including the State Personnel Act
• Experience advocating for an entity at the legislature
• Experience drafting legislation, legislative testimony and related documents
• Understanding of the principles of public administration
• Experience developing and implementing public policy
• Proficiency in oral and written communication

Incumbents in this class 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.