Staff Attorney 2
Recruitment # 260428-0088AR-002
Location Middletown, CT
Date Opened 5/4/2026 12:00:00 PM
Salary $99,570 - $127,418/year
Job Type Open to the Public
Close Date 5/12/2026 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
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Introduction
The State of Connecticut (http://ct.gov/) , Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection ( DESPP (http://ct.gov/DESPP) ) has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2 (http://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=0088AR&R1=&R3=) in the Connecticut Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS-CT).
What We Can Offer You
Visit our NEW State Employee Benefits Overview page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
A healthy work/life balance 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.
Position Highlights
In this role, the attorney will draft and negotiate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and Data Sharing Agreements (DSAs) with state agencies and municipal police departments to support secure data-sharing initiatives. The position also provides expert guidance on legal and compliance matters-including FOIA responses using the Everlaw platform-while reviewing statutory proposals, supporting legislative engagement, and assisting CJIS-CT subcommittees in analytics, security, and electronic workflow areas.
A key part of this work includes collaborating with legal counsel across state agencies and municipal police departments to harmonize data-sharing frameworks and ensure consistent statewide adoption of criminal justice information sharing policies. The attorney will work closely with CJIS technologists and system architects to ensure that data-sharing solutions, security controls, and workflow tools align with statutory, privacy, and compliance requirements. These functions reflect the Governing Board's identified need for dedicated legal expertise to drive transparency, efficiency, and public safety outcomes across Connecticut.
With a flexible hybrid work environment and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to statewide criminal justice information systems, this position is ideal for an attorney with criminal justice experience with an interest in technology and data who seeks to make a measurable impact on Connecticut's public safety infrastructure.
This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday. A Hybrid schedule may be available based on agency availability.
About Us
The Connecticut Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS-CT) is seeking a dedicated attorney to support its mission of enabling secure, statewide criminal justice data sharing. This position plays a vital role in maintaining compliance with FBI CJIS Security Policy, strengthening Connecticut's criminal justice data governance, and advancing collaboration across law enforcement, judicial partners, and public safety agencies.
DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins (https://portal.ct.gov/despp/division-of-emergency-service-and-public-protection/ronnell-higgins-biography?language=en_US) .
Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence
Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct-i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve
Constantly seeking better results
Shared Fiscal Responsibility
Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources
Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests
Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges
Ethics and Accountability
Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways
Selection Plan
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:
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. 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."
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.
Candidates selected for an interview must provide the following at the time of interview:
State Employees:
Two (2) most recent performance evaluations
Cover letter
A copy of your unofficial transcript(s)
Non-State Employees:
Two (2) professional references contact information including name, email and phone number (at least one being a current and/or previous supervisor)
Completed CT-HR-13
Cover letter
A copy of your unofficial transcript(s)
Candidates who have been selected for employment with the Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection are subject to a detailed background investigation, including a fingerprint supported state and federal criminal history record check along with reference checks. Selection for employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation. Any pending disciplinary history within the past 2 years and review of attendance records are also considered in this selection process.
Click here (https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DAS/Statewide-HR/A---Z-Listing-Task-PDFs/Criminal-Convictions---Addendum-to-Application-for-Examination-or-Employment-Form---CT-HR-13.pdf) to complete the Criminal Convictions addendum (CT-HR-13). The CT-HR-13 can also be found on the DAS website (https://portal.ct.gov/DAS) by typing in "CT-HR-13" into the "Search Department of Administrative Services" search field.
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 Mackenzie Robinson at Mackenzie.Robinson@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 with developing, interpreting, or applying Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and data sharing or data classification standards.
Experience working within government environments, including collaboration with criminal justice agencies or related entities.
Experience providing guidance on legal or compliance requirements related to multi-component technology systems.
Experience with applying or ensuring compliance with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy.
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
