STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Staff Attorney 1

Hybrid

Recruitment #220929-0087AR-001

Introduction



Looking for a career as an attorney?
Check out this opportunity and apply today with the State of Connecticut!

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is looking to hire a Staff Attorney 1 in New Britain.

POSITION DETAILS
This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position on first shift. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm.

The Staff Attorney 1 (SA1) will assist in providing legal jurisprudence, guidance and subject matter expertise to the Education and Outreach Unit of the office of Education, Outreach and Enforcement (EOE), to ensure the timeliness, accuracy, and risk mitigation in serving regulated utility customers in Connecticut when they contact PURA. Given the increases in volume and technical complexity of complaints and inquiries, this position will provide dedicated legal expertise rooted in Connecticut’s statues and regulations in support of daily inquires with consumers related to customer disputes, mediation, education, and outreach. The SA1 will also support other EOE legal work such as reviewing and drafting legal documents, legal research, analysis, participating in working groups, and supporting enforcement actions, and other legal work.

The selected candidate will play a crucial role on upcoming assignments associated with PURA's implementation of its Equitable Modern Grid Initiative and key portions of Public Act 20-5, known as the "Take Back Our Grid" Act, including but not limited to, investigations into the utilities' preparation for and response to major storm events; a deep dive into the distribution interconnection procedures employed by the electric utilities; and inspections and audits into the regulated electric, gas, and water utilities, and telecommunications companies.

For more information regarding the impact and potential associated with being a member of the EOE, applicants are encouraged to review recent publications regarding the office’s accomplishments, such as this November 18, 2021 article.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year!

ABOUT US
At 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.

PURA is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication 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.

For an inside look at what it is like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut employee, take a look at the video below!
         

Selection Plan

Before you apply, make note of the following:
  • 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.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • 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.
Important information for after you apply:
  • 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 questionnaire'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.
  • 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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Questions about this position should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

#INDLP

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 interpreting and applying state and federal laws;
  • Experience conducting and updating legal research;
  • Experience using Lexis or Westlaw databases;
  • Experience writing memoranda of law, legal briefs, decisions or opinions;
  • Experience with the Uniform Administrative Proceedings Act or administrative hearings;
  • Experience providing oral presentations or arguments;
  • Experience conducting discovery and motion practice in judicial or administrative proceedings;
  • Experience managing two or more assignments, cases or proceedings simultaneously;
  • Experience or coursework in utilities, energy, economics, or finance;
  • Experience with Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, SharePoint and Teams.

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.