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DDS Central Office

Staff Attorney 2

DDS Central Office See More Job Openings by This EmployerArrow
  • Full Time
  • $99,570 - $127,418/year
  • Hartford, CT
August 15, 2025 Attorney

Job Description

Introduction

Are you an attorney licensed to practice law in Connecticut with two (2) years of experience? If so, we invite you to consider the Staff Attorney 2 position with Connecticut Developmental Services!

The State of Connecticut, Developmental Services (DDS) – is accepting applications for two (2) full-time Staff Attorney 2 position located in Hartford, CT.


The attorneys will be tasked with either of these critical duties:


Providing support in the prosecution of Registry Abuse and Neglect cases, providing representation in the Probate Courts throughout the state, and handling all CHRO matters in which DDS is a respondent.


Or


Drafting and reviewing contracts, MOU, MOA, and legislative/policy and procedures.


Please note: In order to be considered for either of these positions, you must apply for this recruitment.


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.


Position Highlights: PCN 82900, 138516

  • Full-time | 40 Hours per week
  • Monday – Friday | Hybrid

What we can offer you:

  • View our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Professional growth and paid professional 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 for more information.

In your role as a Secretary 2, you will have the opportunity to:

  • Perform advanced and complex legal work for the agency;
  • Research, interpret, analyze and apply complex and conflicting laws and regulations, case law and legal principles;
  • Perform related duties as required;
  • Follow this link for a more comprehensive list of duties.

DDS Mission Statement:

The mission of the Department of Developmental Services is to partner with the individuals we support and their families, to support lifelong planning and to join with others to create and promote meaningful opportunities for individuals to fully participate as valued members of their communities.



Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library 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, 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


If you require an accommodation to participate fully and fairly under the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Edward Magnano, EEO Manager at (860) 418 – 6148 or Edward.Magnano@ct.gov

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 Probate Court.
  • Experience handling CHRO matters.
  • Experience in hearings conducted under the UAPA.
  • Experience in prosecution of criminal matters.
  • Experience drafting, reviewing and editing legal documents.
  • Experience with the legislative process specifically in drafting or proposed legislation.
  • Experience working with study groups as in drafting policies and procedures.
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.

Salary
  • $99,570 - $127,418/year


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