STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Staff Attorney 2

Hybrid

Recruitment #240321-0088AR-001

Introduction



Are you passionate about the law?  Do you want to grow and build upon your current experiences?
If so, we invite you to read and learn more about this exciting opportunity!

The State of Connecticut, Office of Health Strategy (OHS) is seeking an experienced and qualified individual for the position of Staff Attorney 2 to join our legal team.

The Staff Attorney 2 position is one of the three attorneys in our tight-knit legal team who, together with a paralegal, report directly to the Agency Legal Director. We are a small state agency, but we play a critical role in shaping the future of health care in CT. In pursuit of that responsibility, the attorneys serve many functions and wear many hats. Some of us focus on the Certificate of Need (CON) program, while others focus on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, state ethics compliance, contracting, health data privacy, and other related practice areas. Connecticut residents are always the center of the conversation. The legal team is supported by a fantastic group of health care, financial, and data analysts.

What We Can Offer 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
  • 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
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here for more information.
Position Highlights:
  • Work Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Location: Hartford, CT
  • Currently, our staff attorneys work remotely four days per week and in the office one day each week. After working for the agency for the requisite amount of time, you will be permitted to apply for an alternative work schedule (AWS) which, if approved, would allow you to regularly work extra time on certain days during the week so that you can take time off on others.
The Role:
Job duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Responsible for negotiating agency contracts. 

  • Developing and implementing the Certificate of Need (CON) compliance program, 

  • Negotiating CON agreed settlements. 

  • Advising the agency on health data privacy compliance and providing other general legal support. OHS has statutory authority to exercise regulatory oversight over certain healthcare facilities and corporate entities through the CON program pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 19a-638 et seq.

  • Serve as primary investigations counsel for CON compliance. 

  • Serve as prosecuting counsel for enforcement actions. 

  • Serve as lead negotiations officer for CON settlement agreements. 

  • Draft and negotiate agency contracts. 

  • Advise the agency on health data privacy and cybersecurity requirements.

  • Interact with a variety of health care providers, stakeholders, and members of the public; and provide other legal advice and support to OHS leadership as required. 

About Us:

The mission of the OHS is to implement comprehensive, data-driven strategies that promote equal access to healthcare, control costs and ensure better health for the people of Connecticut. OHS consists of three teams: Health Systems Planning, Health Innovation and Health Information Technology.

Start with us. Stay with us.  Grow with us.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
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. 
  • 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.
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 Julie Barker via email at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • 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; 
  • 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; 
  • May testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; 
  • May represent agency in court when authorized; 
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with Connecticut state laws governing administrative procedures, health policy, and data privacy.
  • Civil litigation or enforcement experience.
  • Experience with developing and effectively utilizing tools to monitor and track compliance with statutory, regulatory, or contractual requirements. 
  • Experience with drafting and negotiating contractual instruments or settlement agreements.
  • Experience conducting legal research and utilizing effective writing skills.
  • Experience working within a team to manage projects and meet deadlines. 
  • Experience working with health care providers, consumers and other members of the community.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
  • Incumbents in this class 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.

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.