STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Executive Director And General Counsel

Recruitment #251226-3571mp-001

Go Back Apply View Benefits

Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Freedom of Information Commission (FOIC) is seeking an Executive Director and General Counsel for a full-time, in-person position working from its office at 165 Capitol Ave. in Hartford, Connecticut.

The executive director and general counsel serves as the public face of the agency, frequently speaking with media representatives about important Freedom of Information issues. The executive director also prepares and recommends the FOIC’s annual legislative package, meets with key legislators about it and testifies at the legislature about bills of significance.

The executive director also coordinates, plans and manages all of the administrative and legal activities of the Commission, including fiscal, budgetary, legislative and education functions. As general counsel, the executive director also renders primary legal advice to the Commission and supervises and directs the legal staff in representing the Commission in all court matters affecting the Commission.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
  • Full-Time, 40 hours per week
  • Monday through Friday
  • Location: 165 Capital Avenue, Hartford, CT
THIS JOB IS FOR YOU IF
  • You have substantial, hands-on experience with administrative and Freedom of Information law and are prepared to take primary responsibility for the legal accuracy and defensibility of Commission decisions and advice.
  • You are comfortable managing both legal work and Commission operations, including supervising attorneys and staff, overseeing budgets and processes, and ensuring the Commission meets its statutory and procedural obligations.
  • You can represent the Commission in practical, sometimes constrained settings by clearly explaining complex legal issues without advocating beyond the Commission’s role.
  • You prefer steady, detail-oriented public service work and are willing to handle a high volume of legally technical matters that require careful judgment, consistency, and independence.
DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO
  • Serve as the Commission’s primary spokesperson on significant Freedom of Information matters, including responding to media inquiries and communicating Commission positions on legally and policy-sensitive issues;
  • Develop, recommend, and oversee the Commission’s annual legislative agenda; 
  • Serve as the primary legislative liaison by coordinating with key legislators and providing expert testimony on the legal and policy implications of proposed legislation;
  • Direct and manage all administrative and legal operations of the Commission, including fiscal and budgetary oversight, legislative coordination, and statewide Freedom of Information education and outreach initiatives;
  • Provide primary and authoritative legal counsel to the Commission on Freedom of Information law, administrative procedure, constitutional issues, and regulatory matters, ensuring compliance with applicable statutes and regulations;
  • Supervise and direct legal staff in the representation of the Commission in all litigation and appeals, including oversight of legal strategy, pleadings, briefs, and oral arguments in matters affecting the Commission.
ABOUT US
The Freedom of Information Commission hears complaints from persons who have been denied access to the records or meetings of public agencies in Connecticut. Any person denied the right to inspect, or to get a copy of a public record, or denied access to a meeting of a public agency, may file a complaint against the public agency within 30 days of the denial. The FOI Commission’s legal staff is authorized to represent the Commission in all matters affecting the Commission, and to defend Commission decisions that are appealed, in the superior and appellate courts.

Selection Plan

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY
  • Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
  • Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, 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 contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting. 
  • Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
  • Preferred Shift/Location: 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. 
  • Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing Charla.Vincent@ct.gov.
  • Salary Calculations: 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. 
  • Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting. 
AFTER YOU APPLY
  • Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
  • Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
  • Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, but your application may be considered for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. 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, available at www.ct.gov/ethics. 
CONNECT WITH US
  • Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. 
  • If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact Charla Vincent at Charla.Vincent@ct.gov. 
  • Follow the State of Connecticut on LinkedIn to stay updated on our career opportunities and news.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the State Freedom of Information Commission this class is accountable for directing all administrative and legal activities and advising the Commission on legal matters.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Administers staff and operations of the State Freedom of Information Commission;
  • Coordinates, plans and manages administrative and legal activities of Commission including fiscal, budgetary, legislative and educational functions;
  • Trains Commission members and staff;
  • Supervises and/or drafts responses to correspondence and inquiries;
  • Supervises preparation of forms for Commission use and prepares relevant literature;
  • Supervises compilation and maintenance of Commission decisions, indices thereto and statistical surveys of business;
  • Conducts educational sessions for public officials, workshops and other speaking programs;
  • Supervises and drafts proposals for legislation;
  • Acts as primary legislative liaison and testifies before legislative committees concerning bills;
  • Renders primary legal assistance and advice to Commission; 
  • Supervises Commission ombudsman program;
  • Supervises and/or conducts evidentiary hearings and meetings;
  • Ensures compliance with Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and Commission regulations;
  • Drafts Commission decisions and orders in contested cases;
  • Drafts advisory opinions and procedural and substantive regulations;
  • Represents Commission in all appeals from its decisions and in all other litigation affecting Commission;
  • Supervises and directs legal staff in representing Commission in all court matters affecting Commission;
  • Prepares arguments, evidence, briefs, memoranda and pleadings in all appeals and other legal actions affecting Commission;
  • Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of
    • and ability to interpret Freedom of Information Act and complex relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
    • constitutional and administrative law including Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and rules of evidence;
    • legislative process;
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply management and business services principles and practices;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the practice of law including experience in the legislative process, state administrative law and State Freedom of Information laws.

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.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet.


E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by JobAps