STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director (Legal)

Commissioner's Office

Recruitment #201106-1752MP-001

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Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and environment as well as making affordable, clean and reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in building Connecticut’s green economy and fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future.

DEEP’s Office of Legal Counsel has a current opportunity for an Office Director (Legal) located in Hartford, CT. The Office of Legal Counsel, in the Office of the Commissioner, serves the diverse and interesting legal needs of all three branches of the agency. Those branches are Environmental Quality (EQ), which includes air, materials management, and water programs, Environmental Conservation (EC), including the natural resources and outdoor recreation bureaus, and Energy, including the offices of energy supply, energy demand, and buildings and transportation decarbonization within the Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy (BETP).

The Office of Legal Counsel also provides legal services related to public contracting and procurement, purchases of real property, leases, grants, requests for proposals and a variety of other transactional matters. The legal team provides advice and support to the Commissioner and agency personnel in regard to legislation, regulations, permits, enforcement, petitions for declaratory ruling, ethics, employment, and open records matters, among other things. In-house legal personnel work closely with the Office of the Attorney General on state and federal litigation, claims before the Office of the Claims Commissioner, regulations, and contracts. The in-house legal staff represent the Department before entities such as the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Department of Energy, and other federal and state administrative agencies.
Note: This recruitment may be used to fill other future Office Director (Legal) vacancies within the agency.

We offer a competitive benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan, and a multitude of other benefits.

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

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

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to: Uma Arun at uma.arun@ct.gov

Selection Plan

This position is non-examined and open to the public.

The selected candidate must be both admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut and a member in good standing of the Connecticut bar by the time employment commences.

The selected candidate must have a driver's license. The position is required to travel.

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 SPAM/Junk folders. You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for the direction of the staff and programs of an office.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs a variety of difficult, complex and sensitive legal work; researches and advises Commissioner and senior level staff on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations, enforcement, administrative procedures and adjudication; drafts legislation and regulations; conducts hearings and prepares decisions; coordinates and negotiates resolution of enforcement actions; assists staff and Office of Attorney General with court preparation; acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies, municipal, state and federal governments; provides assistance to staff in regard to enforcement issues and orders and civil penalties; directs staff and operations of office; determines priorities and coordinates, plans and manages activities; formulates office goals and objectives and ensures implementation of same; reviews and evaluates effectiveness of established or proposed policies and/or programs assessing options and developing recommendations for improvement; conducts performance evaluations; prepares reports and correspondence; recommends policy; drafts policy statements and regulations; prepares or assists in development of office budget; performs related duties as required.

This specific position:

Provides legal support to the Office of the Commissioner, with a particular focus on serving the legal needs of the Environmental Conservation (EC) Branch, including the Bureaus of Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation, on matters related to wildlife, fisheries, forests, parks, boating, and the Environmental Conservation Police; hunting and fishing; management of inland and coastal fisheries, forests, and wildlife; protection of threatened and endangered species; management and acquisition of public lands, including state parks, state forests, boat launches, and wildlife management areas; emergency response, enforcement, and public safety activities of the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police; and programs which facilitate equitable public access to and enjoyment of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Provides legal support to the agency in claims involving death, personal injury, and property damage before the Office of the Claims Commissioner, while working with the Office of the Attorney General.

Provides legal advice and support in legislative, regulatory and administrative matters affecting the EC Branch programs.

Provides legal advice and support related to employment law and civil rights law.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant environmental, energy, and conservation programs, laws and regulations; considerable knowledge of environmental protection and energy principles, practices and issues; knowledge of administrative law; skill in researching and preparing matters involving contested cases; ability to comprehend and interpret complex laws and regulations; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures; ability to initiate and direct programs; analytical, negotiating and organizational skills.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Four (4) years of experience in the practice of law including administrative law with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and /or regulatory programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been responsible for performing energy or environmental protection work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in one or more of the following areas: Environmental protection and natural resource law; land use law; administrative law; litigation; constitutional law; employment law; Working with technical staff and legal concepts associated with technical matters; drafting, implementing or enforcing statutes and regulations; transactional and/or contract law supporting public-private partnerships.

Excellent legal research and writing techniques;
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills;
Experience leading teams and/or managing projects;
Adaptability, and ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments with engagement and coordination of management.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must be a member of the Connecticut Bar.

Conclusion

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.





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