Staff Attorney 2
Hybrid
Recruitment # 251031-0088AR-001
Location New Haven, CT
Date Opened 11/5/2025 12:00:00 AM
Salary $99,570 - $127,418/year (New State Employees start at minimum salary range)
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 11/14/2025 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
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Introduction
Are you an experienced Attorney looking for an opportunity to serve the public sector? If so, we encourage you to apply and join our team!
The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Children and Families (DCF (https://portal.ct.gov/dcf?language=en_US) ), is recruiting a Staff Attorney 2 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=0088AR&R1=&R3=) position within our Legal Division, based out of our New Haven office. Additionally, other statewide travel can be expected.
Position Highlights:
Full-time, 40 hours per week
First (1st) shift
Monday - Friday
New Haven, CT
About Us:
The mission of the Department of Children and Families (DCF (https://portal.ct.gov/dcf?language=en_US) ) is Partnering with communities and empowering families to raise resilient children who thrive. DCF's Legal Division is responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal law, conducting administrative hearings, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
The Role:
The Legal Division Staff Attorneys are directly involved in consultations with social work staff and make legal recommendations that impact the lives of the children and families of Connecticut. The role has responsibility to provide in-house legal support to the Area Office for which they are assigned and may provide other statewide duties as deemed necessary.
What's In It For You:
Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!
Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
A healthy work-life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees.
State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loan forgiveness after 10 years of service. Click here (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information.
Discover the opportunity to:
Engage in a rewarding career
Assist our employees so they can achieve success
Make a difference in the public sector
Work together in a collaborative team environment
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US) 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 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , 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 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:
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 Christopher.Lavallee (Christopher.Lavallee@ct.gov.) @ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
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 working with child abuse, child neglect proceedings and/or familiarity with child abuse and neglect statutes.
Experience communicating both verbally and in written formats to diverse populations from different backgrounds.
Experience managing and prioritizing large volumes of work to achieve results to meet deadlines.
Experience with administrative hearings under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA).
Experience providing training to staff on legal matter and topics.
Experience working with Microsoft Office Suite Programs (Word, Excel and Outlook).
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.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
