Staff Attorney 2

Are you an Attorney looking to advance your career by joining the public sector, working with statutes and regulations?

Do you want to make a difference in your community?

We encourage you to explore this opportunity to join PURA as a Staff Attorney 2 with the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection!

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.

DEEP's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor-owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state's cable television companies. Ensuring affordable and reliable service from these sectors is critical to maintaining public health and safety and a thriving economy in the state of Connecticut. PURA regulates many aspects of Connecticut's utility sector, including but not limited to:

• ensuring the prudence of electric system modernization;
• natural gas system expansion and water system infrastructure investments;
• reviewing mergers and acquisitions in all the above regulated sectors;
• conducting periodic utility rate cases;
• leading all aspects of service quality, safety, and investment for the state's telecommunications infrastructure;
• implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety.

Your Role

PURA currently has an opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2 position in the Adjudications Unit at our headquarters located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT. Positions are generally Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week. Must be flexible based on agency needs.

PURA's attorneys provide legal advice, act as hearing officers, conduct complex legal research, provide and check cites and statutory references, draft legal portions of decisions, interpret statutes, review findings, draft, edit and/or review decisions, notices, etc. The work of PURA is governed by statutes and regulations. As such, there are deadlines and due process requirements that PURA must meet.

More details about this role can be found in the class specification.

Your future with the State of Connecticut

After completion of three (3) years of successful and satisfactory performance as a Staff Attorney 2 in the same agency, an incumbent will be moved to the Staff Attorney 3 classification (on the first pay period following the completion of the three (3) year requirement).

Our employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, and a retirement plan, as well as paid time off! We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees. 

Learn more about how you can make an impact with the State of Connecticut: 

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

Candidates invited for an interview will be asked to bring a writing sample and to provide three references.

Selected candidate must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

To Apply:

Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment. All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application into the JobAps system.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

Should you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Samantha Wasef, Leadership Associate – Talent Solutions: Samantha.Wasef@CT.Gov or 860.937.6357 

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 statutes; 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.

The preferred candidate(s) will possess:

• Experience in litigation;
• Appellate judicial clerkship;
• Experience conducting complex legal research using electronic databases;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Experience in practice of administrative law.

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.