STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Staff Attorney 2

Office/On-site

Recruitment #240223-0088AR-002

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Introduction



Are you passionate about a career in public service? Do you want to grow and build as a part of a collaborative team, while establishing statewide policies and working on ground-breaking issues that impact public education? If so, invite you to please read below & apply today!

At the State of Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) we are seeking qualified applicants to join our team as a Staff Attorney 2. In this role with CTECS you would join a statewide system of 17 technical high schools serving approximately 11,000 high school students.

What We Have To Offer!
  • 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
  • Industry leading health benefits, including medical and dental coverage
  • Comprehensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings
  • Retirement healthcare offerings
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • Outstanding work-life balance
  • 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
    • The standard work schedule is 8 hours per day for a 40-hour workweek
    • There may be times when an attorney is required to work additional hours due to operational needs
    • This position requires travel throughout the state
    Your Role as a Staff Attorney 2
    CTECS’ attorneys provide legal advice to the agency on a range of school law topics such as special education, student discipline, expulsion, civil rights, safety, curriculum, education records/FERPA, Title IX, freedom of information, investigations, student data privacy and the implementation of new laws. CTECS’ attorneys also handle a variety of employment and labor relations matters, represent the agency at administrative hearings, conduct legal workshops for staff and system board, review and negotiate contracts, assist with litigation and state claims commission cases, draft and revise school district policies, manuals and handbooks.

    Who We Are
    For over 100 years, CTECS has been the leading force in Career Technical Education (CTE) in the State of Connecticut. CTECS operates 17 diploma-granting technical high schools, one technical education center and two airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance programs. The school system provides a direct employment pipeline for high school students and adult learners.

    We hope you take this opportunity to join our team and make an impact by serving your state!

    Selection Plan

    For Assistance in Applying:

    Please read or     watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

    Application Process:

    This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 

    In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

    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.

    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.

    Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

    Selection Process:

    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.

    During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.

    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.

    Contact Information:

    Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. 

    Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Ethan Ives at Ethan.Ives@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 researching and interpreting the law relevant to Special Education and providing counsel to school officials 
    • Experience representing school districts, parents/guardians and/or students in Special Education matters in Connecticut
    • Experience practicing law in Connecticut
    • Experience with state and federal statutes and regulations relevant to school law (K-12 or higher education)
    • Experience drafting legal opinions and memoranda
    • Experience with researching and interpreting the law and providing counsel to school officials on topics including Employment, Title IX, Labor Relations and contracts
    • Experience in the development and revision of policies
    • Experience with fact-finding and/or investigations
    • Experience conducting trainings on legal topics to non-lawyers; 
    • Experience conducting both virtual and in-person presentations
    • Experience utilizing interpersonal written communication, and oral presentation skills
    • Experience in the following areas: Special Education, Title IX and Civil Rights, Public labor and employment, State contracts, Freedom of Information Act, FERPA, Drafting/revising policies for schools, Trainings for non-lawyers/educators

    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.




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