Staff Attorney 2 - #251105-0088AR-001

State of Connecticut•Wethersfield, CT

34d•Onsite

About The Position

The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction (DOC), is recruiting for the position of Staff Attorney 2 to work at its Central Office, Legal Affairs Unit, located in Wethersfield, CT. 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 and supportive atmosphere in which attorneys handle very complex and interesting matters. WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU: Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page! Professional growth and development opportunities A healthy work/life balance! Thirteen (13) paid holidays each calendar year. Employees who are requested to work as part of a regular schedule on a "premium" holiday (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked in addition to regular pay for the day. Position Highlights This position is full-time, first-shift. Schedule is Monday - Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. It requires admission to the bar of the State of Connecticut and at least two years practicing law. Provide legal advice to high level correctional officials on a variety of legal topics. Review and draft internal policies. Collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General on litigation including discovery, settlement conferences, and trial strategy. Appear on behalf of the Department and its employees in probate court, and before the Department of Labor, as well as administrative bodies such as the Freedom of Information Commission, Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. About Us 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.

Requirements

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
Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law
Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel

Nice To Haves

Significant experience with administrative agencies.
Significant experience in employment law matters.
Significant experience in Constitutional issues.
Significant experience in all aspects of litigation, including, but not limited to, discovery.
Significant experience in drafting and reviewing contracts/memoranda of understanding.
Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Examples include:
Written: Ability to write persuasively and clearly about legal topics for judges, attorneys, and non-attorneys; ability to produce a polished final written product that requires little editing by others (e.g., written clearly, free from grammar/spelling errors, in a format appropriate to the forum); ability to write legal briefs/ legal opinion memos.
Oral Communication: Ability to argue/ present ideas persuasively before judge, fact finder, arbitrator, opposing counsel; ability to present a case in an administrative forum (examine/cross examine witnesses, object, present evidence, present opening/closing arguments); ability to present and assert point of view at a meeting (either internal or external to the agency) and ask appropriate questions.
Interpersonal Skills: Ability to maintain good relationships with co-workers, employees of other agencies, judges, advocates, opposing counsel; ability to work well in a team environment by supporting leaders, co-workers, and subordinates; ability to interact professionally even when dealing with confrontational individuals.

Responsibilities

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

Benefits

Professional growth and development opportunities
A healthy work/life balance!
Thirteen (13) paid holidays each calendar year. Employees who are requested to work as part of a regular schedule on a "premium" holiday (New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked in addition to regular pay for the day.

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