Introduction
WHAT WE OFFER
POSITION HIGHLIGHTS
- Full time, 40 hours per week
- Monday through Friday
- First shift
- Location: 450 Columbus Blvd Hartford, CT
- Hybrid schedule (combination of in office/telework)
THE ROLE
The Associate General Counsel will report directly to the General Counsel and serve as an essential business partner and a member of the Paid Leave Authority’s team, providing legal advice and guidance in relation to all aspects of the Paid Leave Authority’s functions, including the areas of compliance, quality assurance, audit, vendor agreements, fraud prevention and mitigation, and appeals.
ABOUT THE AUTHORITY
The CT Paid Leave Authority is a quasi-governmental agency formed by statute and signed into law in 2019. Its mission is to help Connecticut’s workforce navigate health challenges and life changes with greater financial security. Through a trust funded by workers, the Authority makes benefits payments to eligible workers when the worker takes a leave from work to care for themselves or a family member.
Selection Plan
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit 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 by the closing date on the job posting.
- 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:
- 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.
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 Jasmyn Raymond at Jasmyn.Raymond@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- In cooperation with the CEO and General Counsel, provide policy and regulatory guidance and legal advice to the Authority and its Board of Directors on all matters related to the Authority’s mission, purpose, and business activities.
- Participate in the drafting, review and implementation of Authority policies and procedures, including but not limited to, policies and procedures relating to claims administration, private plan applications, quality assurance, recoupment of overpayments, and fraud prevention.
- Assist with the development of audit and compliance policies and procedures and the development of effective tests and controls to ensure processes are being implemented.
- Review employers’ applications to offer private leave plans to their employees and audit employers’ compliance with applicable laws and policies.
- Negotiate, draft, and review contract solicitation documents, vendor contracts, and contractor agreements.
- Analyze claim files and respond to claim appeals that are submitted to the CT Department of Labor.
- Conduct training sessions and webinars relating to the CT Paid Leave Act, the CT Paid Leave Authority functions and leave laws.
- Advise Authority staff regarding compliance with the Freedom of Information Act and records retention obligations.
- Monitor Authority activities to ensure that they conform with policy, procedures, regulations, legislation, and state and federal laws.
- Maintain strong working relationships with individuals both within and outside of the Authority who might impact the Authority and its mission.
- May supervise other members of the Legal team.
- Perform any related duties as required.
This list of duties is not intended to be all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities that the Authority may deem necessary from time to time and as the Authority’s work and responsibilities demand.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Considerable knowledge of:
- Family and medical leave laws.
- Employer-provided insurance products and claims administration.
- State and federal laws relating to employment rights, including but not limited to Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Connecticut Fair Employment Practices Act.
- Government agency operations, including but not limited to the Freedom of Information Act, the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, administrative procedures and hearings, and State Ethics rules.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law and three (3) years of transaction and compliance experience in the areas of disability insurance, leave management, or related areas.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with contract drafting, negotiation, interpretation, and termination of claims administration agreements, vendor agreements, contracts for goods and services, and other contractual arrangements.
- Experience working cooperatively with teams to deliver results and maintain a collegial work environment.
- Experience communicating with internal and external agency stakeholders.
- Experience with project and time management skills, including organizational and attention to detail skills.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class must have an active license to practice law in the State of Connecticut and be in good standing.
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.