Salary: $7,100.00 – $9,000.00 Monthly
Location: Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Department of Law
Job Number: LAA-09859-01/23
Closing: 1/23/2023 11:59 PM Mountain
Department Information
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Natural Resources and Environment Section is seeking an experienced attorney with a passion for protecting Colorado’s water quality. This full-time position will be with the Water Quality Unit within the Natural Resources and Environment Section. Few law practices offer a comparable opportunity to work on cutting edge issues affecting the state, the country and the world, all while accommodating work-life balance. Colorado is a national leader on critical water quality issues such as protecting Colorado’s precious water resources from emerging contaminants, fostering direct reuse of treated water for drinking water supplies, and addressing nutrient pollution in our waters. Our team works side-by-side with our client agencies on some of the most complex and critical environmental issues.
Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People’s Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State’s chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together.
Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.Description of Job
The Water Quality Unit is responsible for providing legal services to the Department of Public Health & Environment’s Water Quality Control Division, Water Quality Control Commission, and the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide counsel and litigation services to the client agencies on a broad range of complex matters involving core program issues. You will advise and represent our clients on the administration of environmental protection programs related to water quality permitting and enforcement, and in rulemaking. You will also manage complex settlement negotiations and represent client agencies in administrative and civil litigation. Further, you will work with experienced litigators, and lead litigation, in addition to advising on a host of legal and regulatory issues related to water quality control. Attorneys in the Unit work collaboratively with other Natural Resources and Environment Section attorneys and regularly interact with federal, local and other state agencies.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Department of Law.
Salary note: Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Applicants must:
- Be admitted to the Colorado bar or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar and be in good standing at the time of application. Applicants eligible to waive into the bar must be eligible to Practice Pending Admission.
- Be passionate and enthusiastic about having a career in environmental law.
We welcome applications from candidates whose diverse experiences and background would add value to the department, our unit’s work, and our clients. We are most interested in candidates who have had hands-on litigation experience and substantive legal training, including fellowships or clerkships. We are also interested in seeing most, if not all, of the following skills and attributes.
- Experience and interest in environmental regulatory enforcement.
- Litigation experience, including motions practice and discovery.
- Multi-dimensional thinker and creative problem solver who enjoys coming up with practical and innovative solutions.
- Self-starter and goal-oriented person who is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
- Resourceful and takes the initiative to learn the subject matter and to grow professionally.
- Strong writing skills and keen attention to detail.
- Excellent analytical and communication skills.
- Good judgment in working with clients and colleagues.
- Capable of independently managing a full workload and working well with technically and legally sophisticated clients.
The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse work force adds quality and perspective to the services we provide to the public. Candidates with diverse qualities and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Conditions of Employment:
- Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
- Applicants must be willing to periodically travel within the State.
- Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application and application for Practice Pending Admission before the first day of employment. For more information about admission to the Colorado bar please review information on the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel website.
- Effective August 15, 2022, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within three (3) business days of hire. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. In the event of serial testing, religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.
Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights. Supplemental Information
WHY WORK FOR US
We Embrace Flexibility
We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members – which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.
We Are Committed to Diversity
At the Department of Law, we know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed and individuals are equally treated and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce that contributes to creative problem solving and delivers excellent work.
We Have Strong Core Values
Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) “better together,” by working to support each other and collaborate.
We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys
We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.
We Offer Excellent BenefitsIn addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
- Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
- Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
- Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
- Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
- Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the on-line application.
Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the “Attachments” feature of the online application to add documents.
ADAAA Requests
The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher at hr@coag.gov.
Agency: State of Colorado
Department: Department of Law
Address
1300 Broadway, 10th Floor
Denver, Colorado, 80203Phone720-508-6000
Website: https://coag.gov/
