Salary: $83,292.00 – $120,000.00 Annually
Location: Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: LAA-09427-09/23
Department: Department of Law
Division: Natural Resources & Environment
Opening Date: 09/15/2023
Closing Date: 10/2/2023 11:59 PM Mountain
Primary Physical Work Address: 1300 Broadway, Denver CO 80203
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
This posting is only open to Colorado residents. – an exemption contingent upon residency waiver
Department Information
NOTE! This position is open to resident and non-residents of Colorado. Please disregard the statement above saying the posting is only open to Colorado residents.
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Parks Wildlife and Trust Lands Unit is seeking an experienced attorney to join the general counsel and water law teams representing Colorado’s Division of Parks and Wildlife and the Parks and Wildlife Commission. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is charged with protecting and managing some of Colorado’s most valuable resources: wildlife and wildlife habitat, a superb state parks system, outdoor recreation opportunities for the state’s residents and visitors, and an extensive portfolio of water rights. Representation of CPW offers the opportunity to practice in unique areas of law and engage with a wide variety of interesting and complex legal issues.
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
WHAT YOU WILL DO
There are two parts to this position.
I. General Counsel and Litigation: General counsel duties for this position involve advising CPW on a remarkably diverse array of topics. These include wildlife law, regulation of hunting and fishing, management of game and nongame species, protection of wildlife habitat, management of state parks and state wildlife areas, license suspension hearings, real property disputes, the state Administrative Procedures Act, and compliance with federal wildlife grant provisions and federal statutes, among others. Advising the agency will require legal research, drafting memoranda, working directly with agency staff and leadership, and responding on short notice to inquiries from the management team. The attorney will also engage in litigation on behalf of the Division or Commission as needed, in state or federal courts and state water court.
II. Water: CPW is uniquely situated as both a steward and a user of water. This position, therefore, requires nuanced and innovative problem-solving skills to help advance CPW’s mission within Colorado’s system of water law. Specific duties for this position involve advising CPW on water-related issues including acquiring, protecting, and managing water rights for reservoirs, ponds, wells, and surface diversions at state parks and wildlife areas; protecting riparian and aquatic habitat; and ensuring adequate water for CPW’s fish hatcheries. This position also facilitates water transactions, such as the purchase, lease, exchange, and sale of water rights, alone or in conjunction with real estate transactions. Duties may also include advising CPW when conflicts arise between existing water law and state policy goals as well as providing advice and participating in client-led teams to support river restoration projects, drought protection and planning, fish and wildlife mitigation plans for reservoir and infrastructure projects, instream flow development and protection, and environmental pool projects and protection. CPW’s water attorneys litigate in all seven water divisions as both opposer and applicant for a variety of cases, including new appropriations, diligence applications, exchanges, plans for augmentation, and changes of water rights.
For both general counsel and water law duties, the position requires a willingness to travel throughout the state as necessary to work with biologists, park managers, regional water specialists, and others. It also requires the attorney to acquire expertise in the extensive statutory and regulatory regime governing state agencies generally, as well staying abreast of developments in CPW-specific legal issues, including state water law. Finally, applicants must be eager to tackle new and unfamiliar issues on a regular basis and have an appetite for developing creative and innovative legal strategies. The entire team of CPW attorneys is highly collaborative, and this attorney will have the opportunity to work on a team while also developing relationships and working one-on-one with CPW staff.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Department of Law.
Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. 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.
Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). The salary range for an AAG I is $83,292-$92,400/annually.
Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $96,420-$120,000/annually.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis for any new employees starting after July 1, 2023.Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
CPW’s mission is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. Our goal is to add someone to our team who is eager to learn, excited about representing CPW, enthusiastic about professional growth, and committed to CPW’s mission.
Applicants for the Parks, Wildlife and Trust Lands position must have the following qualifications:
- 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. 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.
- Experience in civil practice.
- Have excellent analytical and communication skills, good judgment, and good interpersonal skills.
- Be a strong writer with keen attention to detail
- Be willing to travel throughout the state.
Some of our strongest candidates will also have the following skills and attributes, although these are not required to apply:
- Two to three years’ experience practicing in Colorado water courts
- Two to three years’ experience in civil or criminal litigation
- General contracting and transactional experience, and experience with real property law
- An interest in dealing with challenging and complex issues
Personal interest in hunting, fishing, and other forms of outdoor recreation is a bonus, but not required.
Conditions of employment:
- Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
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.
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 online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience or Education sections of the online 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
Address: See the full announcement by clicking the “Printer” icon located above the job title Location varies by announcement, Colorado, —
Website: https://careers.colorado.gov/
