STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Deputy Agency Legal Director/Chief Hearing Officer

(Assistant Legal Director) / Hybrid

Recruitment #230814-3438MP-001

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Introduction


Are you an attorney with experience in legislative and/or regulatory programs?
Looking to make a difference in the Public Sector?
We invite you to learn more about 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Deputy Agency Legal Director/Chief Hearing Officer (Assistant Legal Director). This position will be located within the Department's Public Health Hearing Office (PHHO). See below for more on this exciting opportunity! 

GENERAL HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
  • Work Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Hartford, CT
  • Work Environment: Hybrid
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
    IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:
    • Report to the Agency Legal Director and serve as the Deputy Agency Legal Director/Chief Hearing Officer
    • Directly supervise the staff of the Department's Public Health Hearing Office (PHHO)
    • Preside as hearing officer and direct other hearing officers in the PHHO in administrative proceedings involving licensed healthcare practitioners and facilities, petitions for declaratory rulings, appeals of local health, and involuntary discharge orders, as well as other appeals, WIC reviews, and emergency medical services applications
    • Review and draft declaratory rulings, proposed final decisions, final decisions, and other legal documents
    • Conduct legal research
    • Interpret statutes and regulations
    • Provide legal counsel and support to various boards and commissions within DPH
    MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY:

    The Mission of the Department of Public Health (DPH) is to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of Connecticut by:

    • Assuring the conditions in which people can be healthy
    • Preventing disease, injury, and disability
    • Promoting the equal enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, which is a human right and a priority of the state.

    DPH accomplishes this through the implementation of its Strategic Plan which outlines the actions that DPH is taking to accomplish its Mission.

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
    Please visit our 'Applicant Tips on How to Apply' page.

    To Apply:
    • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
    • 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.
    • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
    • 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.
    • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
    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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
    Connect With Us:
    • 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. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In a large state agency, this class is accountable for assisting in the direction of legal staff engaged in the legal work of the agency and works closely with the Office of the Attorney General on all legal matters.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Assists in directing staff and operations in a legal unit;
    • Coordinates, plans and manages unit activities;
    • Formulates program goals and objectives;
    • Determines priorities and oversees and reviews work;
    • Provides staff training and assistance;
    • Conducts performance evaluations;
    • In consultation with Office of the Attorney General performs a variety of difficult, complex and sensitive legal work;
    • Researches and advises Commissioner on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations and administrative policy;
    • Conducts and assists staff in preparation for administrative proceedings including preparation of administrative record;
    • Prepares final decisions of Commissioner in contested cases;
    • Assists staff and Office of the Attorney General in preparation for court cases;
    • Interprets statutes and regulations and ensures conformance with statutory purpose and authority;
    • Advises Commissioner concerning matters which require an opinion from the Office of the Attorney General and drafts requests for opinions;
    • Acts as liaison between Commissioner and the Attorney General;
    • Assists staff on matters relating to enforcement orders and civil penalties;
    • Makes recommendations regarding agency program proposals, rules and policy;
    • Assists in developing budget proposals for consistency with statutes and regulations;
    • Drafts proposed legislation and regulations;
    • Provides assistance to staff in implementing newly enacted legislation;
    • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
    • May conduct legal seminars for department staff;
    • Performs related duties as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Considerable knowledge of
      • and ability to apply management principals and practices;
      • and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
      • relevant agency policies and procedures;
      • the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and civil procedures;
      • legal practices and procedures in state and federal courts;
    • Knowledge of legislative process;
    • Considerable
      • interpersonal skills;
      • oral and written communication skills;
      • administrative ability.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    Three (3) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience presiding as hearing officer, representing a party in hearings conducted under the Connecticut Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, or experience litigating matters in court
    • Experience drafting legal briefs, proposed final decisions, and other legal documents
    • Experience analyzing and interpreting statutes, regulations, and court decisions
    • Experience navigating the rules of evidence
    • Experience navigating or exposure to the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act
    • Experience managing a legal operations unit including workflow and legal staff

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    Incumbents in this class must be a member of the Connecticut Bar.

    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.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.




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