Closing Date: 20th November, 2026

Description:

Introduction:
The State of Connecticut (http://ct.gov/), Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) has an exciting opportunity for a Staff Attorney 1 in the

What we can offer you:

Visit our NEW State Employee Benefits Overview (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jobapscloud.com%2FCT%2Fjobs%2F%3Fb%3DBenefits&data=05%7C02%7CMackenzie.Robinson%40ct.gov%7Cff9d6212567b4147e2e708dc78e20332%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638518159311874580%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=31NWPHsflFHvOaUe8PNNfHQWwUv%2FNVhAj8KQDjWwWS0%3D&reserved=0) page!
Professional growth and development opportunities
A healthy work/life balance (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jobapscloud.com%2Fct%2Fsup%2FEVPPDF123020.pdf&data=05%7C02%7CMackenzie.Robinson%40ct.gov%7Cff9d6212567b4147e2e708dc78e20332%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638518159311879996%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yxCP2VwHXi9UotEN0yGc2oE3oYcwWdB2Q1uKA%2BRc4lI%3D&reserved=0) 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:
This position focuses primarily on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) matters and carries an independent caseload of public records requests, including high-profile, complex matters. The incumbent will be responsible for reviewing and redacting agency records in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. This role offers meaningful exposure to administrative proceedings and complex records analysis within a high-volume, fast-paced legal environment.

This is a full-time position Monday-Friday based in Middletown. A hybrid schedule is available based on agency need.

About Us:
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.

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://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service), 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 (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jobapscloud.com%2FCT%2Fjobs%2F%3Fb%3DIT%26preview%3D1&data=05%7C02%7CHeather.Tweeddale%40CT.GOV%7Cf9e7149c6f984997a68f08dd30f7ada4%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638720562500260604%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=R%2BUKQnQd%2B5YB7zAqjlcwrcnRtQvEd%2B9zbZq6g%2BxlX4M%3D&reserved=0) 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.
This employer may participate in E-Verify (https://www.e-verify.gov/employees) and will provide the federal government with your Form I9 information to confirm work authorization.
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 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.

Purpose of Job Class (nature of Work):
In a State Agency Thi