Staff Attorney 2

Join the Legal Affairs Division at the Connecticut Department of Correction!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC), is recruiting for the position of Staff Attorney 2 within the Legal Affairs Unit located in our Wethersfield, CT headquarters. 

We invite you to explore this rewarding career opportunity in state service!

BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

What we can offer you:

• Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

The State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 by 'Forbes'. This national recognition comes from offering job growth, competitive benefits and flexible scheduling for our employees!

POSITION DETAILS

• WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00AM - 4:30PM Monday through Friday (first shift)
• WORK HOURS PER WEEK: Full Time, approximately 40 hours
• LOCATION: Wethersfield, CT with flexible telework* and in-office schedules available! Some in-state travel may be required.*Hybrid work schedule may begin after completion of working test period. 

YOUR ROLE

The Legal Affairs Unit advises the Commissioner of Correction and other high-level correctional staff on a variety of legal topics, including employment law, Constitutional law, the Freedom of Information Act, general litigation strategy, probate law, and other areas affecting correctional systems. The unit features a collaborative supportive atmosphere in which attorneys handle very complex and interesting matters.

The key responsibilities of the Staff Attorney 2 include, but are not limited to:

• Providing legal advice to high level correctional officials on a variety of legal topics;
• Reviewing and drafting internal policies;
• Collaborating with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation including discovery, settlement conferences and trial strategy;
• Appearing on behalf of the Department and its employees in probate court, and before administrative bodies such as the Freedom of Information Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

More details can be found in the class specification. 

OUR MISSION

The Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safety and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.

Learn more about working for the State of Connecticut: 

This is a classified recruitment, open to the public.

TO APPLY

• Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
• Include your JD credentials within your application. 
• Please ensure that your application and professional experience is thorough and complete. 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 be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

WHAT TO EXPECT 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 daily 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 daily 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, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

Other Notes:

• 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.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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.

Should you have any questions about the position, please contact Samantha Rivera, Human Resources Specialist – Talent Solutions at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov

Stay connected with the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the legal work of the agency.

Performs advanced and complex legal work of an agency; researches, interprets, analyzes and applies complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles; acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings on a full range of cases involving complex legal and technical issues; 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 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 and applies complex or conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles; participates in the conduct of various educational activities; provides legal guidance when duly authorized; provides input into policy formation; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; may represent agency in court when authorized; reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; prepares and maintains precedent manuals; reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; performs related duties as required.

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

STAFF ATTORNEY 2: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.
STAFF ATTORNEY 3: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law at the level of Staff Attorney 2 in the same state agency.

1. Experience with one or more of the following agencies: Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC), Department of Labor (DOL).
2. Experience in all aspects of civil litigation, including, but not limited to, discovery. 
3. Experience communicating to a variety of constituents. Examples include:
   1. Written Communication: Experience writing persuasively and clearly about legal topics for both attorneys/ judges and non-attorneys; Experience producing a polished final written product that requires little editing by others (i.e. written clearly, free from grammar/spelling errors, in a format appropriate to the forum); Experience writing legal briefs/ legal opinion memos. 
   2. Oral Communication: Experience with arguing/ presenting ideas persuasively before judge, fact finder, arbitrator, etc.; Experience with presenting a case in an administrative forum (examine/cross-examine witnesses, object, present evidence, present opening/closing arguments); Experience with examination/ cross-examination of a witness; Experience asserting point of view at a meeting (either internal or external to the agency) and ask appropriate questions. 
   3. Interpersonal Skills: Experience maintaining relationships with co-workers, employees of other agencies, judges, advocates, etc.; Experience working in a team environment by supporting leaders, co-workers, and subordinates; Experience interacting professionally, even when dealing with confrontational individuals. 
4. Experience with employment law or constitutional law.

1. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
2. May be required to travel.

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.