STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Managing Director And Commission Attorney

Hybrid

Recruitment #220621-3300MP-001

Introduction

Are you a current State of Connecticut, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities employee looking to take that next step in your career? If this sounds like you, we invite you to read more about this exciting opportunity!  

The mission of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) is to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.  

Statutory Authority: Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 814c. It is the statutory responsibility of the Commission to:

  • Enforce human rights laws that ban illegal discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit transactions.
  • Monitor compliance with state contract compliance laws and with laws requiring affirmative action in state agency personnel practices.
  • Establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons in Connecticut through education and outreach activities.  

CHRO has a current full time opening for a Managing Director and Commission Attorney in the Legal Division to oversee the Housing/Appellate/Training/Outreach unit located in Hartford, CT with a work schedule of Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm.  

You will discover the opportunity to:  

  • Engage in a rewarding career;
  • Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
  • Thrive in an exciting environment;
  • Make a difference in the public sector;
  • Work together in a collaborative team environment.  

We hope you take this opportunity to continue your career with us and make an impact by serving your state!

*This salary range shall increase effective July 1, 2022.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application.   

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

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening and must specify their qualifications on their application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified. 

Please note you will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system. Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

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. 

Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account.   

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.

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Julie Barker, at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period.  It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception.  Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES: This class is accountable for managing and/or directing the operations of the Commission relating to those litigative matters authorized by Connecticut General Statutes Section 46a-55.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION: This class serves as the managing director and associate general counsel and is accountable for managing and directing the day-to-day operations of the Commission's legal, professional and support staff including responsibility for administrative, litigative and legislative matters and public education and ombudsman program efforts.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This position will be responsible for:

  • Supervision of housing cases appealed to the Superior, Appellate, and Supreme courts.
  • Supervision of housing related cases in state and federal court.
  • Supervision of trial advocacy in housing cases.
  • Supervision of litigation in housing cases that have been certified to Public Hearing.
  • Supervision of investigative and legal staff assigned to either investigate or litigate housing discrimination cases.
  • Supervision of early legal intervention housing cases.
  • Supervision of housing reconsideration requests.
  • Supervision of release of jurisdiction cases that are related to housing.
  • Supervision of staff assigned to provide legal counsel and advice to the housing unit.
  • Providing legal advice and counsel to the administration regarding housing and appellate cases.
  • Supervision of the agency’s Diversity and Inclusion subcommittee.
  • Supervision of staff litigating in superior court, federal court, and administrative hearing.
  • Preparation of legal opinions in cases related to housing discrimination.
  • Participation in executive staff meetings.
  • Preparation of legal opinions and reports related to housing discrimination.
  • Supervision of legal staff working on education and outreach activities.
  • Supervision of legal staff creating and conducting training.  
  • Perform related duties as required.  
  • Additional duties can be found here.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret relevant laws and decisions; considerable knowledge of administrative law including Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, rules of evidence and rules of practice in Connecticut courts; considerable knowledge of constitutional law and legislative process; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management and business services principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of electronic information systems as related to public access to government records; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to interpret complex legislation; considerable ability to negotiate legal case settlements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been litigating employment discrimination, labor or civil rights matters at the appellate level.

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COMMISSION: Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been handling freedom of information matters.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class 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.