STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Agency Legal Director

Recruitment #220111-8539MP-001

Introduction



The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families' (DCF), mission is partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. We are proud of our diverse and dedicated workforce who strive every day to meet the needs of those we encounter. DCF’s Legal Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal law, conducting administrative hearings, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

We are seeking to fill one 
Agency Legal Director position, located in Central Office, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT. This opportunity is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Although located in Central Office, this position will work closely with DCF's six regions which include 14 area offices throughout the state, two facilities, the Wilderness School, and Central Office, which will require statewide travel, as needed.

In this role you will provide management and oversight of DCF's legal staff in Central Office and regional offices, the Administrative Hearing unit, and the promulgation of regulations. Additionally you will act as an agency ethics liaison and work with the Office of State Ethics, to coordinate and facilitate the development of ethics policies for DCF; provide access to education and training; update and maintain the Statement of Financial Interests filers list and foster communication between the Office of State Ethics and agency employees. This position provides the opportunity to direct staff and operations of the Legal division, including but not limited to:
  • Advising the Commissioner regarding legal issues related to DCF business.
  • Keeping DCF staff abreast of new statutes, regulations, case decisions and other changes in the law as it relates to the mission of the agency.
  • Collaborating with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation and other legal matters.
  • Collaborating with Human Resources and the Office of Diversity and Equity concerning the rights of the employees and the public.
  • Reviewing of legal policy and coordination of policy review, as requested.
  • Researching and interpreting state and federal statutes along with administrative rules and regulations.
  • Researching complex case litigation.
  • Serving as the agency liaison with stakeholders and other agencies on child protection matters.
  • Assisting in the investigation and evaluation of issues related to Compliance.
  • Managing Freedom of Information (FOI) requests.
The ideal candidate will posses:
  • Extensive writing experience related to legal briefs, agreements, and contracts.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a large volume of work and prioritize effectively to achieve positive results/outcomes.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office and Excel including, but not limited to, spreadsheet development including managing data and composing communications.
We offer a competitive benefits package; excellent health care; generous leave policies; a retirement plan; a deferred compensation program; and more.

There are so many things to love about living, working, and playing in our state. We are passionate about helping advance Connecticut into the future. Every single day is an opportunity to positively impact the lives of Connecticut citizens. Our employees:
  • Serve the public through meaningful work.
  • Seek limitless opportunities to grow.
  • Enjoy a work/life balance.
  • Are interested in diversity and fresh perspectives.
                  

Selection Plan

All state employees shall follow Executive Order 13G (as amended by Executive Order 14C).

To Apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • 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.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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, 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:
  • If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Elizabeth Weston at Elizabeth.Weston@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.
  • Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing the legal staff of the agency and acting as legal advisor to the Commissioner, in consultation with the Attorney General's office on complex legal issues.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Directs staff and operations of the agency's legal division; coordinates, plans and manages division activities; formulates program goals and objectives; develops or assists in development of related policies; interprets and administers pertinent laws; evaluates staff; prepares or assists in preparation of division budget; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of division who might impact on program activities; in consultation with the Attorney General's office, directs the research of legal issues or researches complex legal issues relating to the agency; examines potential litigation and makes recommendations to agency Commissioner; drafts legal memoranda, legal opinion letters or declaratory rulings; participates in the drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations and agency policies and guidance documents; oversees the drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts and agreements; may manage all FOIA requests for the agency; conducts investigations as required; may act as agency legislative liaison; may testify before legislative committee; performs related duties are required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of legal practices and procedures in federal courts and state venues; considerable knowledge of legislative processes; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity.

NOTE: Managerial experience is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with child welfare laws and/or regulations.
  • Experience with leading or managing and supervising legal staff.
  • Experience with managing litigation, including at the trial and appellate levels.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

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.