Closing Date: 22nd October, 2026
Description:
Introduction:Are you an experienced Attorney looking for an opportunity to serve the public sector! If so, we encourage you to join our team!
The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/), Department of Social Services (DSS) (https://portal.ct.gov/dsshome/) – is accepting applications for one (1) full-time Staff Attorney 2 (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=0088AR&R1=&R3=) position with the Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings Division (OLCRAH) as a Contracts Attorney located in Hartford, CT.
DSS is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Staff Attorney 2 to join our Office of Legal Counsel, Regulations and Administrative Hearings as a Contracts Attorney. In this role, you will provide critical legal support and advice to the Commissioner and DSS leadership while helping advance the agency's mission to deliver essential services and programs to Connecticut residents.
As a key member of the legal team, you will provide counsel on a wide range of complex agreements and contractual matters, including Personal Service Agreements, Consultant Agreements, permits, licenses, grants, and other contractual arrangements supporting DSS operations, projects, and initiatives. You will conduct sophisticated legal research and analysis, interpret statutes, regulations, policies, contracts, grants, and funding requirements, identify potential conflicts in applicable laws, and evaluate court decisions and case law. You will also work closely with the DSS Agreements Unit, collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) when appropriate, and provide support to other members of the DSS legal team.
This is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who enjoys solving complex legal issues, managing a diverse and high-volume workload, and working collaboratively with colleagues and partners across government. If you bring strong organizational skills, sound legal judgment, and a collaborative approach, and want your legal expertise to help shape and support programs that make a meaningful difference in the lives of Connecticut residents, we encourage you to apply today!
Position Highlights:
- Location: Hartford, CT
- Full-time | Hybrid
- Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
What we can offer you:
- View our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=0088AR&R1=&R3=) page!
- Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.
- A healthy work-life balance (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=0088AR&R1=&R3=) 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.
The State of Connecticut, Department of Social Services (DSS) delivers and funds a wide range of programs and services as Connecticut's multi-faceted health and human services agency. DSS services about 1 million residents of all ages in all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. We support the basic needs of children, families, older and other adults, including persons with disabilities. Services are delivered through 12 field offices, central administration, online and phone access options. Follow us on twitter @ctdss and see what we are all about!
Selection Plan
For Assistance in Applying:
Check out Our Applicant Tips on How to Apply (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fsi%3Dgv0DvDvoILZqNC9i%26v%3DY8sOb10qYXQ%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&data=05%7C02%7CRocky.Young%40ct.gov%7C39342c7ecc8c457e07c308dd461c4a68%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638743809501937254%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=64D%2Bgbsi2LnFSPFjTeq5fihp72L2WOSv8qI5Sxxmd4A%3D&reserved=0)! Need More Resources? Visit Our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US) for Additional Support Throughout the Recruitment Process.
Before You Apply:
After You Apply:
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
Purpose of Job Class (nature of Work):
In a State Agency This Class Is Accountable
For Assistance in Applying:
Check out Our Applicant Tips on How to Apply (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fsi%3Dgv0DvDvoILZqNC9i%26v%3DY8sOb10qYXQ%26feature%3Dyoutu.be&data=05%7C02%7CRocky.Young%40ct.gov%7C39342c7ecc8c457e07c308dd461c4a68%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638743809501937254%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=64D%2Bgbsi2LnFSPFjTeq5fihp72L2WOSv8qI5Sxxmd4A%3D&reserved=0)! Need More Resources? Visit Our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US) 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 (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US), 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 (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US) 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 (r Qs), Which Must Be Completed by The Questionnaire's Expiration Date. if Requested, R Qs Can Be Accessed via An Email Sent to You After the Job Close Date or By Visiting Your Job Aps 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%7CRocky.Young%40ct.gov%7C39342c7ecc8c457e07c308dd461c4a68%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C638743809501958758%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=laq5Q6EFJoTJ4SyWkzSJYvEjeMvX52PFFuZ1k%2FMenE4%3D&reserved=0) to Make the Best Impression!
- Stay Connected! Log in Daily to Your Job Aps 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
Purpose of Job Class (nature of Work):
In a State Agency This Class Is Accountable