Paralegal Specialist (Hybrid)

Introduction

\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection's (DEEP), Office of Legal Counsel is currently recruiting for a full time Paralegal Specialist to support the Commissioner and her legal team, and more specifically, to serve the Environmental Conservation Branch, which is comprised of the Bureaus of Natural Resources (Wildlife, Fisheries and Forestry) and Outdoor Recreation (Parks, Environmental Conservation Police and Boating).\r\n\r\nDEEP's Office of Legal Counsel advises the Commissioner, and the Department as a whole, on a wide variety of legal issues faced by the three branches of the agency: Environmental Quality (EQ), Environmental Conservation (EC) and Energy and Technology Policy (Energy). A Transactional and Regulatory Affairs (TMRA) unit within the legal office supports all three branches of DEEP, as well as the Bureau of Central Services and programs within the Commissioner's Office such as the Office of Equity and Environmental Justice and the Office of Climate Planning.\r\n\r\n\r\nWhat We Can Offer You:\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n Professional growth and development opportunities.\r\n A healthy work/life balance to all employees.\r\n\r\nWork Environment:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Monday through Friday, 40 hours.\r\n Hybrid.\r\n \r\n\r\nResponsibilities of this paralegal position include, but are not limited to, the following:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Working with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) liaisons and members of the legal team to address FOIA requests for the EC branch – of particular note, the Environmental Conservation Police Division (EnCon) requires support with reviewing and redacting incident reports and body-worn and vehicle dash camera footage, and this may involve review of graphic or disturbing images and material;\r\n Supporting EnCon in terms of complying with the Police Accountability Act and its many statutory requirements – this may entail providing assistance with drafting policies and general orders, managing records, and engaging in discovery activity associated with litigation matters before the Office of the Claims Commissioner or Judicial Branch;\r\n Tracking Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Siting Council dockets that may have forestry, fisheries or wildlife implications;\r\n Assisting with licensure and enforcement hearing preparation before DEEP’s Office of Adjudications;\r\n Advancing regulations in the e-Regs system; and\r\n Assisting with other administrative work as needed to support the EC branch programs and the Office of the Commissioner.\r\n\r\n\r\nFor an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. �\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n 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.”\r\n 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).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n 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!�\r\n 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.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue 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.�\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for providing advanced paralegal support in a highly complex legal unit. This class provides advanced technical leadership, research and consultation in the areas of preparing draft legal documents and draft decisions of highly complex cases, and is a resource regarding issues, procedures, process and timeframe as related to cases and presenting legal matters as needed.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Performs highly complex paralegal duties as defined in one or both of the following areas:\r\nLEGAL OFFICE OPERATIONS\r\n\r\n\r\n Interprets complex state statutes and federal regulations governing legal records and documents;�\r\n Determines and applies applicable state statute and/or regulation in preparing documentation;�\r\n Interprets court rules and agency policies and regulations;�\r\n Keeps abreast of the latest court rules, calendar changes and pending legislation;�\r\n Monitors and adheres to court deadlines;�\r\n Reviews legal documents and prepares legal documents such as briefs, writs and pleadings for court filings;�\r\n Responds to relevant case information requests from courts;�\r\n Performs legal research and analysis of law sources such as statutes, legal articles, legal decisions, opinions, rulings, memoranda and other legal material;�\r\n Prepares draft legal documents;�\r\n Provides assistance in the discovery process;�\r\n Provides paralegal assistance by interpreting applicable legal provisions, regulations, precedents and policies;�\r\n Responds to requests and obtains information of sensitive nature;�\r\n Acts as liaison between agency, court system, relevant attorney’s offices and general public;�\r\n Serves as agency liaison regarding relevant policies and procedures;�\r\n Prepares legal and administrative reports;�\r\n Updates and maintains case records, pleadings, policy manuals and filing systems;�\r\n Assists in the drafting of proposed legislation and advisory opinions; provides training and assistance to staff;�\r\n May perform business mathematical computations;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\nCASE PRESENTATION OR HEARING\r\n\r\n\r\n Analyzes highly complex cases;�\r\n Develops positions and strategies to settle or litigate cases at formal or informal hearings;�\r\n Prepares for and represents the state’s interest at hearings or through case presentation;�\r\n Researches and gathers relevant evidence and documentation;�\r\n Interviews witnesses and clients;�\r\n Drafts legal documents, complaints, stipulations, detailed memoranda, letters and proposed findings and awards reviews substantiation appeals and provides recommendation to management regarding the legal sufficiency of substantiation findings;�\r\n Performs related duties as required.\r\n\r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Considerable knowledge of\r\n \r\n legal processes and procedures;�\r\n legal terminology and legal forms;�\r\n legal research techniques;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n relevant agency policies and procedures;�\r\n and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Considerable\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;�\r\n oral and written communication skills;\r\n skill in fact finding techniques including interviewing clients and compiling evidence;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Considerable ability to\r\n \r\n evaluate pertinent facts, cases and evidence and compile and assemble such legal data;�\r\n compose correspondence and draft legal documents;�\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to\r\n \r\n understand complex laws and related reports;�\r\n utilize computer software.\r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

The General Experience is defined as one of the following:\r\n\r\n\r\n A Bachelor’s degree in legal studies and one (1) year of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR\r\n An Associate’s degree in legal studies and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR\r\n Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program approved by the American Bar Association and three (3) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR\r\n Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program consisting of a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR\r\n Completion of a Paralegal or Legal Assistance Certificate Program from a business school approved by the State of Connecticut, Office of Higher Education and four (4) years of experience providing paraprofessional legal assistance to an attorney; OR\r\n A Law degree from an accredited Law School.\r\n\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n Experience working as a paralegal for two or more attorneys in a governmental agency, law firm, or corporation.\r\n Experience working with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams and SharePoint.\r\n Experience developing standardized procedures to streamline data organization.\r\n Experience working with confidential information, contracts or grants.\r\n Experience processing documents for litigation.\r\n Experience producing written communications that are without typographical and grammatical errors.\r\n Experience communicating with multiple stakeholders and coordinating stakeholder engagement.\r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

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.\r\n