Assistant Attorney General - NRE, Air Quality Unit

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As an Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources and Environment Section's Air Quality Unit, you will provide legal counsel and representation to one or more client agencies within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on a broad range of environmental and administrative law matters. You will represent client agencies in rulemakings before the Air Quality Control Commission, administrative enforcement proceedings, and civil litigation, and participate in complex settlement negotiations.

Working as part of a collaborative team of experienced environmental attorneys, you will develop and manage a diverse practice advising clients on statutory interpretation, program implementation, administrative procedure, open meetings and open records laws, enterprise governance, and other legal issues affecting Colorado's air quality programs. You will also support the Department's legislative and rule review process and contribute to addressing some of Colorado's most significant environmental challenges, including ozone reduction, climate change, and environmental justice. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to build an environmental law practice, gain substantial litigation experience, and work on matters that have a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of Colorado communities.

In this role, you will also have the opportunity to:

• Represent the State of Colorado in complex civil litigation involving the federal Clean Air Act, the Colorado Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act, and other state and federal environmental laws through all phases of litigation, including investigation, discovery, motions practice, trial, settlement, and appeal.
• Provide strategic legal counsel and representation to the Air Pollution Control Division and other client agencies on complex air quality, environmental, and administrative law matters, including regulatory compliance, enforcement, and program implementation.
• Participate in complex negotiation and litigation on behalf of the Air Pollution Control Division and other client agencies.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written legal analyses, pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents to support client agencies in developing, implementing, and defending air quality programs and regulatory actions.
• Travel within Colorado and, on occasion, nationwide for meetings, negotiations, hearings, trials, and other litigation-related proceedings.

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 $89,964-$117,964/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II).  The AAG II salary range is $102,099 - $136,558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

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. 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.

Applicants should highlight in their cover letter any relevant experience, including any experience with including any experience with environmental enforcement, litigation, program development, open records reviews, and government-based general counsel work. Applicants are also encouraged to describe their experience mentoring lawyers and staff.

• Be a multi-dimensional thinker and creative problem solver who enjoys coming up with practical and imaginative solutions. 
• Be capable of independently managing a full workload and working well with technically and legally sophisticated clients. 
• Demonstrate exceptional legal writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise, persuasive, and well-organized work product with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. 
• Possess strong analytical skills and the ability to identify, research, and evaluate complex legal, factual, and strategic issues. 
• Communicate effectively with sophisticated clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders, both orally and in writing. 
• Apply sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and practical business awareness when advising clients and working with colleagues. 
• Think strategically and creatively, developing practical, innovative, and legally sound solutions to complex or novel problems. 
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, resourcefulness, and initiative in developing subject-matter expertise and identifying issues that require further analysis or action. 
• Work effectively with limited supervision, exercise ownership over assignments, and consistently meet deadlines and performance expectations.
• Independently manage a substantial and varied workload, appropriately prioritize competing demands, and adapt to changing circumstances. 
• Collaborate effectively across teams while also demonstrating the confidence and accountability necessary to lead matters independently. 
• Establish credibility and trusted-advisor relationships with technically and legally sophisticated clients. 
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and the delivery of high-quality client service. 

To qualify for an Assistant Attorney General II, you must:

• Have three years 'experience as a licensed attorney; and 
• Have professional legal experience in environmental regulatory enforcement and litigation. 

 Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Requires in-state travel by state vehicle as needed.
• 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.

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, Equity and Inclusion
At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. 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 treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more!  If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be! 
 
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 Benefits

In 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 [email protected].