Job Information
State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services Agency Legal Director in Middletown, Connecticut
Agency Legal Director
Recruitment # 240506-8539MP-001
Location Middletown, CT
Date Opened 5/10/2024 2:00:00 PM
Salary $121,848 - $166,144/year
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 5/24/2024 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (http://portal.ct.gov/DAS/smART/General-Employee-Benefits)
Introduction
Are you an attorney who enjoys complex problem-solving and leading teams of dedicated professionals? If so, we have an outstanding opportunity for you to consider!
The State of Connecticut (http://ct.gov/ctstatejobs) , Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (https://portal.ct.gov/despp) (DESPP) is looking to fill one Agency Legal Director position in our Legal Affairs Unit. This position will be responsible for directing the legal staff of the Agency and acting as legal advisor to the Commissioner in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on complex legal issues.
YOUR ROLE
This is a full-time position, Monday through Friday and work hours will be determined upon hire. In this role, you'll enjoy a hybrid (remote/in-office) work schedule, with the office centrally located at the DESPP Headquarters (https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-emergency-service-and-public-protection/contact-us#::text=The%20Connecticut%20Department%20of%20Emergency,beyond%20the%20commuter%20parking%20lot.) in Middletown, CT.
As Agency Legal Director, you will be responsible for the following:
Directs staff and operations of the agency's legal division;
Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
Formulates program goals and objectives;
Develops or assists in development of related policies;
Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
Evaluates staff;
Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;
Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, directs research of legal issues or researches complex legal issues relating to the agency;
Examines potential litigation and makes recommendations to agency Commissioner;
Drafts legal memoranda, legal opinion letters or declaratory rulings;
Participates in drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations and agency policies and guidance documents;
Oversees drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts and agreements; may manage all FOIA requests for the agency;
Conducts investigations as required;
More details can be found in the class specification (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=8539MP&R1=undefined&R3=undefined) .
ABOUT OUR AGENCY
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology.
In striving to accomplish our mission, we will embody our core values with great PRIDE:
Professionalism through an elite and diverse team of trained men and women.
Respect for ourselves and others through our words and actions.
Integrity through adherence to standards and values that merit public trust.
Dedication to our colleagues, our values, and to the service of others.
Equality through fair and unprejudiced application of the law.
The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is comprised of six divisions:
Commission on Fire Prevention and Control
Connecticut State Police
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Police Officers Standards and Training Council
Scientific Services
Statewide Emergency Telecommunications
You may learn more about our divisions and access their individual websites here (https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-emergency-service-and-public-protection/divisions) .
BENEFITS AND BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits (https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/smART/General-Employee-Benefits) plan that includes:
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 (https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/smART/General-Employee-Benefits) .
Sick, vacation, and personal leave.
Student Loan Forgiveness - the 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 (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information.
We encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.
Discover the opportunity to:
Work for a Forbes top company: ‘Forbes’ State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 (https://portal.ct.gov/DAS/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2023/Forbes-State-of-CT-Ranked) - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
Engage in a rewarding career.
Assist our employees so they can achieve success.
Make a difference in the public sector.
Work together in a collaborative team environment.
Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests (https://ctparks.com/) , to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here (https://www.ctvisit.com/) .
Selection Plan
This is a non-examined recruitment, open to the public.
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.
TO APPLY:
In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
Please 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.
In order to receive educational credits toward qualification for this job posting, 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 recruiter listed on this job posting.
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.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION AFTER YOU APPLY:
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 questionnaire'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.
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.
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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=IT&preview=1) .
IMPORTANT NOTES FROM DESPP:
Candidate selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
State Employees:
Two (2) most recent performance evaluations and a completed CT-HR-13 form (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DAS/Statewide-HR/A---Z-Listing-Task-PDFs/Criminal-Convictions---Addendum-to-Application-for-Examination-or-Employment-Form---CT-HR-13.pdf) .
Non-State Employees:
Two (2) professional references contact information (Name, Email and Phone Number) and a completed CT-HR-13 form (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DAS/Statewide-HR/A---Z-Listing-Task-PDFs/Criminal-Convictions---Addendum-to-Application-for-Examination-or-Employment-Form---CT-HR-13.pdf) .
Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Click here (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DAS/Statewide-HR/A---Z-Listing-Task-PDFs/Criminal-Convictions---Addendum-to-Application-for-Examination-or-Employment-Form---CT-HR-13.pdf) to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum.
Also considered in this selection process: Any pending or disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records. Failure to provide the required documents listed above or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.
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 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/newregpages/IDPassfind.asp?from=existing) . Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov
Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/stateofconnecticut/mycompany/) .
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In a state agency this class is accountable for directing the legal staff of the agency and acting as legal advisor to the Commissioner in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on complex legal issues.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Directs staff and operations of the agency's legal division;
Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
Formulates program goals and objectives;
Develops or assists in development of related policies;
Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
Evaluates staff;
Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;
Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, directs research of legal issues or researches complex legal issues relating to the agency;
Examines potential litigation and makes recommendations to agency Commissioner;
Drafts legal memoranda, legal opinion letters or declaratory rulings;
Participates in drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations and agency policies and guidance documents;
Oversees drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts and agreements; may manage all FOIA requests for the agency;
Conducts investigations as required;
Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
May act as agency legislative liaison;
May testify before legislative committee;
Performs related duties are required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of
and ability to apply management principles and practices;
and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
relevant agency policies and procedures;
the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;
legal practices and procedures in federal courts and state venues;
legislative processes;
Considerable
interpersonal skills;
oral and written communication skills.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE
Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
NOTE: Managerial experience is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in handling litigation, arbitration, and administrative hearings;
Experience with responding to Freedom of Information requests;
Experience researching, analyzing, interpreting and implementing state and federal laws and regulations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
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:
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