STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Paralegal Specialist

Recruitment #210421-6142AR-001

Introduction


Are you a legal professional looking for a new stimulating position? Do you want to play a vital part in bettering the lives of your neighbors, friends, and community? If so, come make an impact by serving your state! Read below & apply today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP), is now accepting applications for two exciting Paralegal Specialist roles in Hartford, CT. It is the DCP's mission to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace, safe products and services for consumers in the industries that we license, regulate, and enforce. We are responsible for protecting citizens from marketplace fraud, unfair business practices, and physical injury from unsafe items. This protection is achieved through licensure, inspection, investigation, enforcement, and public education activities. 

The Role: Proposed legislation during the 2021 session would authorize an adult use cannabis marketplace that will require these positions.  These positions will only be filled if this legislation passes. DCP’s Legal Division is responsible for case development, negotiation, and prosecution at administrative hearings. This position will focus on case processing related to its Drug Control Division and its medical marijuana, hemp, and adult use cannabis programs. Please include a resume within the “Resume Tab” of your application.

Work-Life Balance & Employee Value Proposition (EVP): Full-time, 40 Hours per week, Monday-Friday. Alternative work hours may be available upon request, and weekend/evening hours may be required. Located at 450 Columbus Boulevard in Hartford, CT. 

What’s In It For You- Leading Comprehensive Benefits: Excellent health & dental coverage, generous vacation/personal/sick time, retirement plan options, competitive salary structure & more! 

Selection Plan

To be considered for this job opening you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. Please ensure that your application is complete before submitting. 

All applicants must include a resume within the “Resume Tab” of their application. 

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.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

Due to the volume of applications anticipated, the DCP is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.

Should you have questions regarding this recruitment please contact faith.macdonald@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases; as a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:

LEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS: Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents; determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation; interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations; keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation; monitors and adheres to court deadlines; reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings; responds to relevant case information requests from courts; performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material; prepares draft legal documents; provides assistance in the discovery process; provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies; responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature; acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public; serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures; prepares legal and administrative reports; updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems; assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff; may perform business mathematical computations; performs related duties as required.

CASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING: Analyzes highly complex cases; develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; prepares for and represents State’s interest at hearings or through case presentation; researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation; interviews witnesses and clients; drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of legal processes and procedures; considerable knowledge of legal terminology and legal forms; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data; considerable ability to compose correspondence and draft legal documents; ability to understand complex laws and related reports; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

The General Experience is defined as one of the following:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

2. An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

3. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

4. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

5. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

6. A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Four (4) years of experience working in a legal office as a paralegal or attorney. 
  • Associate degree or higher educational degree.
  • Experience interacting with business entities, outside counsel, and individual consumers.
  • Experience organizing documents directly relevant to either court or administrative law cases.
  • Experience analyzing documents directly relevant to either court or administrative law cases.
  • Two (2) years of experience drafting, reviewing, and editing legal documents.

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.