STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Paralegal Specialist

Recruitment #211103-6142AR-001

Introduction



Are you seeking your next opportunity with a strong passion for tax law? 
If so, look no further, we encourage you to consider joining our team!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is recruiting to fill two Paralegal Specialist positions within the Legal Services Bureau. This position will be located in our Downtown Hartford office at 450 Columbus Boulevard. 

Our Mission: 

The mission of the Department of Revenue Services is to instill public confidence in the integrity and fairness of tax collection; achieve the highest level of voluntary taxpayer compliance; continuously improve agency performance; contribute to the fiscal and economic well-being of the state; and provide a positive and professional workplace. 

Position Highlights: 

The Paralegal Specialists will work under the direction of, and continuously learn from, DRS' Tax Litigation Director and DRS' General Counsel. This position will be located in the Litigation Subdivision and will assist the Tax Attorneys in the Litigation Subdivision with preparing bankruptcy claims and evaluating offers in compromise.

In this position, you will have the opportunity to: 
  • Be exposed to all aspects of Connecticut tax law and associated collections law across all 40+ of Connecticut's state taxes; 
  • Work side by side with DRS' litigation tax attorneys to protect the Commissioner's interests in bankruptcy litigation and to aid in ensuring DRS' collections efforts are equitable, legal, and fair; 
  • Assist with tax appeals filed in the Tax Session of the Superior Court and the representation of the Commissioner's interests in criminal matters pending before Connecticut's Superior Courts. 
  • Coordinate the Commissioner's interests in bankruptcy litigation with the Office of the Attorney General; 
  • Assist in the preparation and filing of bankruptcy claims; 
  • Research issues and draft routine memoranda, affidavits, and other legal documents; 
  • Review offers in compromise and draft routine settlement agreements. 
These positions will work on first shift, from 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Monday to Friday. 

What we can offer you: 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • Excellent health and dental coverage; 
  • A generous retirement plan; 
  • Paid time off; 
  • A healthy work - life balance! 
Learn more about how you can make an impact
             

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.


The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases; as a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:

LEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS: Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents; determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation; interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations; keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation; monitors and adheres to court deadlines; reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings; responds to relevant case information requests from courts; performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material; prepares draft legal documents; provides assistance in the discovery process; provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies; responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature; acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public; serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures; prepares legal and administrative reports; updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems; assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff; may perform business mathematical computations; performs related duties as required.

CASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING: Analyzes highly complex cases; develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings; prepares for and represents State’s interest at hearings or through case presentation; researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation; interviews witnesses and clients; drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of legal processes and procedures; considerable knowledge of legal terminology and legal forms; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data; considerable ability to compose correspondence and draft legal documents; ability to understand complex laws and related reports; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

The General Experience is defined as one of the following:

1. A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

2. An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

3. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

4. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

5. Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney.

6. A Law degree from an accredited Law School.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will possess:
  • Experience with federal and Connecticut civil litigation including e-filing and preparation of routine pleadings, motions, memoranda, and settlement agreements. 
  • Experience conducting routine legal research.

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.