Contracts Attorney

Introduction

Are you an experienced Attorney looking for an opportunity to serve the public sector! If so, we encourage you to join our team!


The State of Connecticut , Department of Social Services ( DSS ) - is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Staff Attorney 2 position with the Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings Division (OLCRAH) as a Contracts Attorney located in Hartford, CT.


DSS is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Staff Attorney 2 to join our Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings as a Contracts Attorney. In this role, you will provide critical legal support and advice to the Commissioner and DSS leadership while helping advance the agency's mission to deliver essential services and programs to Connecticut residents.

As a key member of the legal team, you will provide counsel on a wide range of complex agreements and contractual matters, including Personal Service Agreements, Consultant Agreements, permits, licenses, grants, and other contractual arrangements supporting DSS operations, projects, and initiatives. You will conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis, interpret statutes, regulations, policies, contracts, grants, and funding requirements, identify potential conflicts in applicable laws, and evaluate court decisions and case law. You will also work closely with the DSS Agreements Unit, collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) when appropriate, and provide support to other members of the DSS legal team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys solving complex legal issues, managing a diverse and high-volume workload, and working collaboratively with colleagues and partners across government. If you bring strong organizational skills, sound legal judgment, and a collaborative approach, and want your legal expertise to help shape and support programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Connecticut residents, we encourage you to apply today!

Position Highlights:

• Location: Hartford, CT
• Full-time | Hybrid
• Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

What we can offer you:

• View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
• A healthy work-life balance to all employees!
• The 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.

About the Department of Social Services:


The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut's multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options. Follow us on twitter @ctdss and see what we are all about!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:


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.
• 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 View email address on click.appcast.io.
• 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

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 Rocky Young at View email address on click.appcast.io

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 drafting and negotiating complex contractual agreements and statements of work related to large data systems or professional services agreements in healthcare-related industries.
• Experience drafting and negotiating licensing or software agreements.
• Experience drafting or negotiating agreements involving the transfer of State and federal funding to contractual subrecipients.
• Experience drafting and negotiating cooperative agreements, such as memoranda of understanding or memoranda of agreement.
• Experience working with or supporting government or corporate contract or procurement units.

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.