Staff Attorney 1

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking a Staff Attorney 1 to support Indian & Tribal Affairs within the Office of Legal Counsel.

This position is for an entry level attorney so experience in Native American matters, while certainly helpful, is not required. This is a full-time position with a Monday through Friday schedule and will be located in Hartford, CT with flexibility for partial teleworking.

We encourage all who are interested to apply for this rewarding, unique position to provide legal services in state government.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS:

• To work for a Forbes top employer: ‘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;
• Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
• Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
• A work culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance to all employees!

YOUR ROLE

The Office of Legal Counsel is within the Commissioner’s Office. A  Staff Attorney 1 is sought to perform legal services related to Indian and Tribal Affairs, and support the important work of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as more specifically described in Chapter 824 of the Connecticut General Statutes. This attorney will support the tribal affairs work of DEEP's Equity and Environmental Justice Office. 

Being organized and attentive to detail are important for this position. Key responsibilities of this position include:

• Communicating with representatives of the state’s recognized tribes, and once re-established, the Indian Affairs Council or its successor entity;
• Providing legal support to Department personnel consistent with the Department’s statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Indian Affairs Act set forth in Chapter 824 of the Connecticut General Statutes;
• Assisting with grant applications, providing consultation on contracts with the federal government or any state or local agency to provide services for housing projects or for any other purpose authorized by Congress;
• Drafting, reviewing, implementing and interpreting statutes, regulations and policies; and
• Ensuring that the Department acts in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act in regard to public meetings and records.

Providing records management and retention support is also important. More details can be found in the class specification.

ABOUT US

DEEP is charged with conserving, improving and protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and environment as well as making affordable, clean and reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in building Connecticut’s green economy and fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future. 

Learn more what it's like work for the State of Connecticut: 

This is a classified, non-examined recruitment, open to the public.

TO APPLY

• Complete a Master Application and directly apply to this recruitment.
• Please ensure that your application and professional experience is thorough and complete. 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 be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER YOU APPLY

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board daily to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

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 question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders daily in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.

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, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.

CONTACT INFORMATION

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 about the position, please contact Samantha Rivera, Human Resources Specialist – Talent Solutions at Samantha.Rivera@CT.Gov

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

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 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.

A degree from an accredited law school.

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.

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.