STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Staff Attorney 1

Recruitment #220110-0087AR-001

Introduction



Are you passionate about a career in public service? Do you want to grow and build in a collaborative team while establishing statewide policies and work on ground-breaking issues? If so, come make an impact by serving your state. We invite you to please read below & apply today!

We seek an experienced and qualified individual for a meaningful role as a Staff Attorney 1 (PCN 131259), within the Legal Affairs Unit at the Office of the Commissioner. This position is located at 410 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. This is a full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week position, with a work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.

DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
  • Review Agency contracts and coordinate with the contracts administration unit.
  • Assist with drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts, memoranda of agreement/understanding, and agreements.
  • Perform legal research and review of voluminous documents to ensure legal standards are met prior to submission to the Office of the Attorney General for execution.
  • Build relationships, inspire collaboration and demonstrate success in working on a team towards a common goal.
  • Leverage interpersonal skills to work cohesively as part of a team to deliver excellent results and maintain a collegial work environment.
  • Develop personal services agreements, memorandum of agreement/understanding and purchase of service contracts.
  • Work with Federal awards and contracts for health and human services agencies.
  • Utilize collaborative verbal and written communication skills to communicate across all levels of organizations and state agencies.
  • Experience coordinating with internal agency partners and external entities including the Office of the Attorney General and other state or federal administrative agencies.
The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) is a health care agency whose mission is to promote the overall health and wellness of persons with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of holistic, comprehensive, effective, and efficient services and supports that foster dignity, respect, and self-sufficiency in those we serve.

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.

Selection Plan

In order 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.

*You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.

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.

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

This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

As a reminder:

  • 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, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be provided through your JobAps portal account.
  • 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 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.
  • All State employees shall follow Executive Orders 13G (as amended by Executive Order 14C).

For more information, we encourage you to contact the recruiter for this position, Joseph K. Fried at Joseph.Fried@ct.gov, (860) 924-7053.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Receives generalized training in all aspects of agency legal work; acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings involving legal and technical issues; analyzes complex and technical evidence; 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 routine legal issues and assists in researching 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 statutes, regulations and rulings; participates in the conduct of various educational activities; may provide legal counsel and advice when duly authorized; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; assists in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals; reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut; knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and civil procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of the rules of evidence; some knowledge of criminal and constitutional law and legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statues; ability to comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A degree from an accredited law school.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience writing competitive procurement documents
  • Experience developing complex personal services agreements
  • Experience writing memorandum of agreement/understandings
  • Experience writing purchase of service contracts
  • Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word and Excel, including, but not limited to, managing data and composing and editing communications
  • Experience with transactional law, including providing advice on contracts management and compliance

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut within one (1) year of the date of appointment. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
2. May be required to travel.

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.