Human Rights Attorney 1
Hybrid
Recruitment # 251113-4770SH-001
Location Hartford, CT
Date Opened 11/17/2025 12:00:00 AM
Salary $82,845 - $105,214/year (New State employees start at the minimum of the range.)
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 11/28/2025 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
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Introduction
Are you passionate about the law? Do you want to use that passion to assist the residents of Connecticut. If so, we invite you to read on and learn about the Human Rights Attorney 1 position with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities!
The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO (https://portal.ct.gov/chro) ) - Legal Division - is currently recruiting for one (1) Human Rights Attorney 1 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=4770SH&R1=&R3=) position located in Hartford, CT.
The Legal Division enforces this state's laws against discrimination and works to advance civil rights in Connecticut through compliance and education. Attorneys in the Division represent the Commission at hearings before human rights referees and in state and federal courts pursuant to CONN. GEN. STAT. § 46a-55. We also may intervene in civil actions alleging discrimination and file friend of the court briefs in cases that raise important questions of law.
The Legal Division advises the Commission, Executive Director and agency staff on legal matters and the legal implications of policy and management decisions by providing training and technical assistance and by drafting legislation, regulations and other legal documents. We also handle freedom of information requests.
Position Highlights: PCN 134985
Location: 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT
Full-time | Hybrid
1st Shift | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
What we can offer you:
View our 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!
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 (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information.
In your role as a Human Rights Attorney 1, you will have the opportunity to:
As a legal practitioner receive generalized training in routine to moderately complex legal work;
Prepare and represent the Commission in contested case hearings and litigation before other administrative bodies and lower courts in matters jointly prescribed by the Commission and Office of the Attorney General including but not limited to discrimination cases;
Attend settlement, conciliation, mediation and pre-trial conferences;
Assist and provide legal counsel and assistance to Commission units;
Analyze and apply state and federal statutes, rules and regulations, constitutional provisions, administrative and court decisions and other legal authorities;
Assist in preparing and representing Commission in more difficult cases;
Interview witnesses, complainants, corporate and governmental officials, takes or attends depositions and prepares evidence in form of statements, documents, records, exhibits, photographs and electronic recordings for presentation in administrative or court proceedings;
Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda on assigned cases;
Prepare subpoenas, affidavits and interrogatories in connection with cases in litigation or under investigation;
May act independently in these areas as assigned;
Performs related duties as required.
About the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities:
Our mission is to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights law enforcement and to establish equal opportunity and justice for all persons within the state through advocacy and education.
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 Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities this class is accountable for receiving training in legal research and work in the Office of Commission Counsel.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
As a legal practitioner receives generalized training in routine to moderately complex legal work;
Prepares and represents Commission in contested case hearings and litigation before other administrative bodies and lower courts in matters jointly prescribed by Commission and Office of the Attorney General including but not limited to employment discrimination cases;
Attends settlement, conciliation, mediation and pre-trial conferences;
Assists and provides legal counsel and assistance to Commission units;
Analyzes and applies state and federal statutes, rules and regulations, constitutional provisions, administrative and court decisions and other legal authorities;
Assists in preparing and representing Commission in more difficult cases;
Interviews witnesses, complainants, corporate and governmental officials, takes or attends depositions and prepares evidence in form of statements, documents, records, exhibits, photographs and electronic recordings for presentation in administrative or court proceedings;
Performs legal research and prepares legal memoranda on assigned cases;
Prepares subpoenas, affidavits and interrogatories in connection with cases in litigation or under investigation;
May act independently in these areas as assigned;
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of basic legal principles and their application;
Knowledge of
federal and state civil rights legislation;
administrative and constitutional law and rules of evidence;
pleadings and motion practice;
economic and social impact of discrimination on protected classes;
Considerable
interpersonal skills;
oral and written communication skills;
Litigation and legal counseling skills or aptitude;
Ability to analyze legal problems.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
A degree from an accredited law school.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience in litigation
Completion of coursework in civil rights and/or discrimination law
Involvement in activities or programs related to social justice
Experience representing clients in proceedings before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities
Experience conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses during hearings or trials
Experience facilitating or participating in mediation proceedings
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut within one (1) year of the date of appointment. Pursuant to Section 51-88 of the Connecticut General Statutes, an incumbent who has not been admitted to practice law may not "assume, use or advertise the title of lawyer, attorney and counsel at law, counselor at law, attorney, counselor, attorney and counselor, or an equivalent term, in such a manner as to convey the impression that he is a legal practitioner of law". Until such time that an incumbent is admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, the incumbent shall be referred to as a Legal Assistant.
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
