STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Assistant Legal Director

Office/On-Site

Recruitment #251230-3438MP-001

Introduction

Are you an attorney with experience researching, developing, planning, and reviewing legislative and/or regulatory programs?
Are looking for an exciting new opportunity to serve your state?
Join us as an Assistant Legal Director and make an impact today! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH) is currently seeking an Assistant Legal Director to join their team! Please note you must be a current State of CT employee to be considered for this position (see Selection Plan for additional details).

Reporting to and supporting the Agency Legal Director, this position will serve as Deputy Agency Legal Director/Chief Hearing Officer and will directly supervise the staff of the Department’s Public Health Hearing Office (PHHO).

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
  • Location: 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
  • Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
  • Work Shift: Full-time, First Shift
  • Work Hours: 40 hours per week 
  • Please note: Telework may be available after successful completion of probationary period, depending on the needs of the agency.

    WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

    IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:
    • Preside as hearing officer and will 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 and other appeals, WIC reviews, and emergency medical services applications;
    • Provide legal counsel and support to various licensing boards and commissions within DPH; 
    • Oversee the legal review of agency contracts, conduct legal research; interpret statutes and regulations; and 
    • Perform other related duties as requested by the Agency Legal Director. 
      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

      Please Note: In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee, who has worked for the state 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.

      FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

      Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?  Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

      BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

      • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
      • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
      • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
      • Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
      • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov
      • Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 
      • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

      AFTER YOU APPLY: 

      • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
      • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
      • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
      • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
      • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

      QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

      Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jensine Tran at Jensine.Tran@ct.gov

      Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

      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, or representing a party in hearings conducted under the Connecticut Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, or experience litigating matters in court
      • Experience drafting and/or reviewing legal contracts
      • Experience applying management principles and practices to improve the efficiency of legal operations and legal staff
      • Experience interpreting and applying the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act
      • Experience analyzing and interpreting federal and state statutes, regulations and court decisions and providing legal advice to clients

      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.


      Click on a link below to apply for this position:

      Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.