Associate General Counsel; CT Leave - VR

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, CT Paid Leave Authority (the 'Authority') has an exciting opportunity for an Associate General Counsel in Hartford, CT.

• 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 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 compliance, quality assurance, audit, vendor agreements, fraud prevention and mitigation, and appeals.

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.

• 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 drafting, review and implementation of Authority policies and procedures, including claims administration, private plan applications, quality assurance, recoupment of over payments, 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 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 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.

• 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.

• Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law.
• Three (3) years of transaction and compliance experience in the areas of disability insurance, leave management, or related areas.

• 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.

• Incumbent must have an active license to practice law in the State of Connecticut and be in good standing.

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.