Broadband Staff Attorney 2

If so, we invite you to check out this opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) is a small, independent state agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. The OCC is a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and is authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved. In addition to representing consumer interests before PURA, the OCC participates actively in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts, and promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums.

The OCC has a current opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2 in the New Britain Office. The Staff Attorney 2 will have the opportunity to work and participate in cases in administrative and judicial settings, including the opportunity to serve as lead counsel or team leader on matters involving a variety of advanced and complex legal issues related to OCC's statutory responsibilities. This position will focus on working within the Office of State Broadband, which is established within the OCC under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-2a(c) to work on legal, regulatory and policy issues focused on the deployment of broadband infrastructure and equitable access to high-speed broadband.

The OCC’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates;
• Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning;
• Energy infrastructure (e.g., gas pipelines; electric transmission lines);
• Energy efficiency and demand response;
• Utility service quality and storm response;
• Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization;
• Electric vehicles and energy storage;
• Policy development on issues relating to electricity, natural gas, and water; and
• Telecommunications and cable service, infrastructure and policy;
• Broadband legal, regulatory and policy issues.

This is a full-time, 40 hours-per-week position located in New Britain, CT. Schedule is Monday-Friday on first shift.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

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

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process. 

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, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board  (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

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

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.  

Questions about this recruitment should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

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.

• Experience with legal writing
• Experience with one or more of the following: energy, natural gas, water, telecommunications, utility, finance, economics, environmental, or other related technical field
• Experience working in a team setting
• Experience in litigation or administrative law
• Experience communicating in person, on the phone, and in writing with a variety of constituents, including co-workers and the public
• Experience in court or administrative agency matters concerning telecommunications, broadband, energy, natural gas, or water issues
• Experience in written and oral legal advocacy on complex issues

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.