STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Staff Attorney 1

Recruitment #220901-0087AR-001

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Introduction



The State of Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), Bureau of Public Transportation invites qualified individuals to apply for the position of Staff Attorney 1 in our Rail Operations Section. This position will report to a Staff Attorney 3 in Office of Rail and will be responsible for providing legal support and advice directly to the Rail Administrator and others in the DOT Office of Rail, and, as warranted, works with the Office of the Commissioner Legal Services Unit, Office of the Attorney General, and outside counsel.

The selected candidate will be embedded in the Office of Rail focusing on managing the Department’s agreements with passenger and freight railroads, lessees and licensees on rail property and the rail right-of-way, and others providing services in support of rail operations, such as station operators and managers. This position is Monday-Friday, full-time (40 hours per week).

The ideal candidate should have good organizational skills in order to efficiently and effectively handle a large volume of work. The candidate should be able to work collaboratively with staff in the Rail operating unit and with attorneys within and outside of the agency.

Responsibilities of the position include contract preparation and interpretation and performing complex legal analysis, legal research, and the interpretation of statutes and regulations and policies.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

The State of Connecticut offers a competitive starting salary, excellent state benefits package including health/dental insurance, generous paid time off, retirement plan options, alternate work schedules, and a culture that encourages work-life balance.
View the video below to learn what it's like to be a State of CT employee.

           

Selection Plan

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, 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.
  • 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:

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.
  • 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.
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. Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Frank DeCusati at frank.decusati@ct.gov or 860-713-5176.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Receives generalized training in all aspects of agency legal work; acts as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings involving legal and technical issues; analyzes complex and technical evidence; 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 routine legal issues and assists in researching 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 statutes, regulations and rulings; participates in the conduct of various educational activities; may provide legal counsel and advice when duly authorized; may testify at or monitor legislative proceedings; reviews court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations; assists in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals; reviews legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

A degree from an accredited law school.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with complex agreements for rail passenger service operations, freight operations, rail station operations, and property management
  • Experience with State of Connecticut Real Estate Law and real property transactions, including preparation and review of real estate instruments such as leases, licenses, and easements
  • Experience with Federal Railroad Law, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), as amended, and Surface Transportation Board proceedings and actions
  • Experience with cooperative agreements with other State of CT agencies, other state transportation agencies, and rail authorities
  • Experience with federal and State of CT procurement and agreement requirements and approval process
  • Experience interpreting federal and State of CT statutes and regulations, specifically related to railroad freight and passenger operations
  • Experience with federal funding sources for rail projects and associated procurement and contracting requirements such as Buy America

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut within one (1) year of the date of appointment. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
2. 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.





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