Legal Office Director

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has an exciting opportunity for an Office Director (Legal) position with the Office of Legal Counsel.

The Office Director (Legal) for DEEP's Environmental Conservation branch focuses on supporting the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of the Environmental Conservation Branch, and the 300 staff members within the Bureaus of Natural Resources (BNR) and Outdoor Recreation (BOR). BNR is composed of the Divisions of Fisheries, Forestry, and Wildlife, and BOR is composed of the Divisions of Boating, the Environmental Conservation Police, and Parks. The legal work is diverse, interesting and fast paced, and covers a wide range of tasks, such as addressing litigation matters; drafting, negotiating and reviewing public/private partnership agreements designed to enhance the experience of those enjoying our state parks and forests; drafting and reviewing policies and procedures, directives, regulations and legislation affecting the EC Branch's programs; supporting federal funding opportunities for EC Branch programs and services; offering legal assistance concerning fisheries, forestry and wildlife management, fielding the day-to-day legal questions as they arise; and so much more. This is an appointed position and serves at the pleasure of the DEEP Commissioner.

What We Can Offer You:

• Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Work Schedule:

• Monday-Friday, hybrid schedule.
• Location: Hartford, CT.

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provides legal support to the Office of the Commissioner, with a particular focus on serving the legal needs of the EC Branch, including but not limited to, matters related to wildlife, fisheries, forests, parks, boating, and the Environmental Conservation Police; hunting and fishing; management of inland and coastal fisheries, forests, and wildlife; protection of threatened and endangered species; management and acquisition of public lands, including state parks, state forests, boat launches, and wildlife management areas; emergency response, enforcement, and public safety activities of the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police; and programs which facilitate equitable public access to and enjoyment of outdoor recreational opportunities.
• Provides legal support to the agency in the development of Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for partnerships with the private sector to provide public services on DEEP managed properties. This could include development of leases, concession agreements, special use licenses and other similar documents.
• Provides legal support to the agency in claims involving death, personal injury, and property damage before the Office of the Claims Commissioner or the court, while working with the Office of the Attorney General.
• Provides legal advice and support in legislative, regulatory and administrative matters affecting the EC Branch programs.
• Provides legal advice and support related to protection of natural resources, land use and real estate, public safety, transactions including personal service agreements, grants and memoranda of understanding, civil rights, and more.

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit 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.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy: Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process.
• 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 DAS.SHRM@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:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• 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 helpful 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, however, applications to this recruitment may be used 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.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

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 additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Brianna Linehan at Brianna.Linehan@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority this class is accountable for directing the staff and programs of an office.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience effectively communicating to both legal and programmatic stakeholders including preparing written legal communications entailing legal research and analysis, such as memoranda of law, legal briefs, decisions or opinions for judicial or administrative proceedings;
• Experience leading teams and managing projects, including the review and oversight of the work product and performance of legal personnel;
• Experience with administrative processes and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, including drafting or promulgating regulations, participating in or adjudicating contested case proceedings, or participating in administrative appeals;
• Experience in administrative or judicial proceedings in state or federal forums;
• Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to achieve a client's objectives;
• Experience in establishing partnerships between the public and private sector which could include development of Requests for Information (RFIs), Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or other similar procurement methods;
• Experience independently preparing, reviewing, and enforcing contract terms and conditions including those related to personal services, facility access, and acquisition, care and management of real property;
• Experience drafting, reviewing or implementing legislation.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut OR meet the qualifications and requirements for admission in accordance with Section 2-13 of the Connecticut Practice Book and obtain membership in the Connecticut Bar within six (6) months of appointment.

Conclusion