Agency Legal Director

Office/On-site

Recruitment # 250102-8539MP-002

Location Hartford, CT

Date Opened 1/10/2025 12:00:00 AM

Salary $124,895* - $170,298/year (*New State Employees start at the minimum of the salary range)

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 2/3/2025 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

• Introduction

  Are you looking for an opportunity to join the largest high school system in the state? Then look no further than this chance to join the State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) Technical Education and Career System (CETCS (https://www.ctecs.org/) ) as our Agency Legal Director (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=8539MP&R1=&R3=) !

  The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Co nnectic ut Technical Ed ucation and Career System (CTECS (https://www.cttech.org/) ) invites applicants to apply to join our team located at our Central Office in Hartford CT as our Agency Legal Director (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=8539MP&R1=&R3=) .

  What We Can Offer You:

• Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!

• Work at a Forbes-recognized company! Connecticut is proud to be featured on both America's Best Employers by State and Best Employers for New Grads in 2024. With our dynamic job market and commitment to fostering a thriving workforce, Connecticut stands out as a top destination for both seasoned professionals and fresh graduates seeking to launch their careers.

• P rofessional growth and development opportunitie s.

• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

  Position Highlights :

• The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week.

• There may be times where additional hours are required due to operational needs.

• This position may require travel throughout the State.

  As our Agency Legal Director (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=8539MP&R1=&R3=) You Will:

  The Agency Legal Director will lead a team of legal professionals, providing strategic advice to system leadership on legal matters. The role involves consulting with the Office of the Attorney General and external legal firms on system legal matters, legal, precedents, regulations, and technical issues, and managing litigation risk.

  Key responsibilities include overseeing operations within the Legal division, advising on various employment and school law topics (e.g., special education, school discipline, civil rights, Title IX, student privacy), and managing emerging legal and compliance trends. The Director will represent the agency at hearings, negotiate contracts, handle labor relations, and support the development of policies and legal documents. Additionally, the Director will manage collective bargaining agreements, litigation, and ensure effective implementation of Freedom of Information Act practices. The role also includes advising on student educational issues, including special education and expulsion.

  This position requires strong leadership, legal expertise, and the ability to navigate complex legal and compliance matters in an educational environment.

  Who We Are:

  For over 100 years, CTECS has been the lea ding force in Career Technical Education (CTE) in the State of Connecticut. CTECS operates 17 diploma-granting technical high schools, one technical education center and two airframe mechanics and aircraft maintenance programs. The school system provides a direct employment pipeline for high school students and adult learners.

  We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the CTECS team !

  Selection Plan

  For Assistance in Applying:

  Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

  Application Process:

  This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.

  In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

  In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.

  The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

  All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

  Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

  Selection Process:

  This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

  During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency.

  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.

  Contact Information:

  Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.

  Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Ethan Ives at Ethan.Ives@ct.gov .

  PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing the legal staff of the agency and acting as legal advisor to the Commissioner in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General on complex legal issues.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Directs staff and operations of the agency's legal division;

• Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;

• Formulates program goals and objectives;

• Develops or assists in development of related policies;

• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;

• Evaluates staff;

• Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;

• Maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact program activities;

• In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, directs research of legal issues or researches complex legal issues relating to the agency;

• Examines potential litigation and makes recommendations to agency Commissioner;

• Drafts legal memoranda, legal opinion letters or declaratory rulings;

• Participates in drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations and agency policies and guidance documents;

• Oversees drafting and administrative review of all agency contracts and agreements; may manage all FOIA requests for the agency;

• Conducts investigations as required;

• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;

• May act as agency legislative liaison;

• May testify before legislative committee;

• Performs related duties are required.

  KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of

• and ability to apply management principles and practices;

• and ability to interpret relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;

• relevant agency policies and procedures;

• the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act;

• legal practices and procedures in federal courts and state venues;

• legislative processes;

• Considerable

• interpersonal skills;

• oral and written communication skills.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience as an attorney with some responsibility for research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity.

NOTE: Managerial experience is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and/or monitoring a budget.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the following areas: Special Education, Title IX and civil rights, public labor and employment law, State contracts, Freedom of Information Act, and FERPA

• Experience with researching and interpreting the law and providing counsel to school officials on topics including Special Education, Employment, Title IX, Labor Relations, public procurement, etc.

• Experience with legal practices and procedures in federal courts and state venues

• Experience with managing a legal division and management principles and techniques

• Experience representing school districts, parents/guardians and/or students in Special Education and other education matters in Connecticut

• At least 5 years of experience practicing law in Connecticut

• Experience with State and federal statutes and regulations relevant to school law (K-12 or higher education)

• Experience responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities complaints

• Experience drafting legal opinions and memoranda, stipulated agreements and contracts

• Experience interacting with State agencies and Boards of Education

• Experience in the development and revision of policies

• Experience with fact-finding and/or investigations

• Experience conducting trainings on legal topics to non-lawyers and educators

• Experience conducting both virtual and in-person presentations

• Experience utilizing interpersonal, written communication, and oral presentation skills

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

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.

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