Posted July 29, 2026
Staff Attorney 1 (Confidential)
State of Connecticut
Hartford, CT
Full Time
Compensation: $90,426 to $118,880 Annually
$90,426* - $118,880/year; *New hires to state employment start at the bottom of the range
Reference: jobaps_260723-1637CR-001
Introduction
The State of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is accepting applications for qualified candidates to fill the position of Staff Attorney 1 (confidential) in OPM’s legal division.
This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the center of state government for the Executive Branch’s primary budget and policy agency. The successful candidate will support OPM’s General Counsel and handle a wide range of legal matters that pertain to OPM’s business, which includes a myriad of issues related to the state’s budget, finance, policy, legislation, labor, employment, human resources, and special projects across state government. The successful candidate will also receive generalized training in all aspects of agency legal work.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- Our State Employee Benefits Overview page
- Professional growth and development opportunities
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
This is a full time (40 hours per week) position conveniently located in Hartford, CT, easily accessible to all major highways.
- LOCATION: Office of Policy and Management
- ADDRESS: 450 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT
- WORK HOURS: Full-time, first shift, 40 hours per week
- SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday
ABOUT US
At the State of Connecticut, Office of Policy and Management (OPM), we report directly to the Governor and provide information and analysis that the Governor uses to formulate public policy for the state. We also assist state agencies and municipalities in implementing the law and public policy on behalf of the people of Connecticut. We prepare the Governor’s budget proposals; implement and monitor the execution of the enacted budget; and oversee the executive branch agencies that report to the Governor.
Learn more about making an impaCT by serving the state of Connecticut by watching the video below:
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 [email protected].
- 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
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 [email protected].
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Office of Policy and Management this class is accountable for receiving on the job training in all aspects of agency legal work.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Assist in FOIA and litigation discovery responses and document production;
- Act as hearing officer or represents agency in formal administrative and public proceedings involving legal and technical issues;
- Analyze complex and technical evidence;
- Conduct research and provides guidance on collective bargaining and labor relations matters;
- Negotiate and drafts settlement agreements;
- Draft advisory opinions, rulings, decisions, recommendations, findings, legislation, statutes, regulations, publications and other related legal documents;
- Assist in the preparation and presentation of trials and appeals;
- Consult with the Office of the Attorney General on legal issues;
- Research routine legal issues and assists in researching complex legal issues;
- Conduct investigations and enforcement proceedings;
- Prepare comprehensive reports for use in administrative and court proceedings;
- Prepare pleadings and other court papers;
- Interpret statutes, regulations and rulings;
- Participate in the conduct of various staff educational activities;
- Review court decisions, new and proposed laws and regulations to determine impact on agency operations;
- Assist in the preparation and maintenance of precedent manuals or policies;
- Review legal and other related documents for legal sufficiency;
- May provide legal counsel and advice when duly authorized;
- May testify at or monitor legislative proceedings;
- Perform related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut;
- legal research techniques;
- the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act and civil procedures;
- and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
- relevant agency policies and procedures;
- the rules of evidence;
- collective bargaining and labor relations matters;
- criminal and constitutional law and legislative process;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to
- apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statues;
- comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
A degree from an accredited law school.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Admission to Connecticut Bar;
- Litigation and discovery experience, with actual experience working with data and e-discovery production software(s);
- Employment law investigation and litigation experience;
- Freedom of Information and e-discovery experience;
- Experience with record retention practices and docket calendar management practices;
- Experience reviewing and interpretating state and federal statutes and regulations and advising clients;
- Experience working with the Microsoft Office Suite; and,
- Experience in writing memoranda of law, briefs and client advisory letters or communications.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. Individuals who meet the qualifications and requirements for admission under Section 2-13 of the Connecticut Practice Book must become admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut by the conclusion of the applicable working test period. 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.
- May be required to travel.
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.
