Legal Office Director (Environmental Quality)

Introduction

\r\nThe 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.\r\n\r\n\r\nDEEP is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.\r\n\r\nThe Office Director (Legal) for DEEP’s Environmental Quality (EQ) branch focuses on supporting the Commissioner, the EQ Deputy Commissioner, and the about 370 staff members in the branch’s Bureaus of Air Management (Air), Water Protection and Land Reuse (WPLR), and Materials Management and Compliance Assurance (MMCA). This director, along with the legal staff the legal director oversees, plays a key role in providing legal support on both state and delegated federal environmental programs; addressing and resolving enforcement cases; assessing legal issues that arise in permitting matters; providing DEEP support in administrative proceedings; reviewing petitions for declaratory rulings and drafting responses and decisions; drafting and reviewing regulations and legislation; and fielding day to day legal questions that arise. This is an appointed position and serves at the pleasure of the DEEP Commissioner.\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 Schedule:\r\n\r\n\r\n Monday-Friday, hybrid schedule.\r\n Location: Hartford, CT.\r\n\r\nSpecific Job Duties/Responsibilities:\r\n\r\n\r\n Providing legal guidance to and representing the agency to help achieve programmatic goals of clean water, clean air, waste minimization, remediation of pollution and adaptation to climate change;\r\n Reviewing, drafting and implementing statutes and regulations that have direct impacts on human health and the environment, including discharges to water, emissions to air, coastal issues, and management of both solid and hazardous waste;\r\n Understanding overlapping federal and state jurisdictional issues and ensuring that state programs delegated by the federal government remain eligible for federal funding. This work includes, but is not limited to, the state’s water, air, PCB, underground storage tank, and hazardous waste programs;\r\n Assisting with a variety of permitting programs and enforcement matters to help ensure consistency in the application of administrative and programmatic requirements;\r\n Communicating with other offices within state government, such as the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, the Office of Policy and Management, and various agencies, to provide notice of significant matters, evaluate and seek direction on significant policy and legal strategy discussions, and collaborate on initiatives;\r\n Supporting the Bureaus’ enforcement efforts to include drafting, negotiating and reviewing consent orders, and\r\n Managing a team of attorneys with similar responsibilities as listed above.\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 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy:� Refer to General Letter No. 195 - Candidate Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Vacancy Filling Process.�\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 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.\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n Experience working with principals and subject matter experts through legal issues in a fast-paced environment;\r\n Experience preparing written legal communications entailing legal research and analysis, including memoranda of law, legal briefs, decisions or opinions for judicial or administrative proceedings;\r\n Experience leading teams and managing projects, including the review and oversight of the work product and performance of legal personnel;\r\n 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;\r\n Experience in administrative or judicial proceedings in state or federal forums;\r\n Experience collaborating with subject matter experts to achieve a client's objectives;\r\n Experience independently preparing, reviewing, and revising contracts;\r\n Experience drafting, reviewing or implementing legislation or regulations to include engagement with internal personnel as well as external stakeholders.\r\n\r\n

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.\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