Assistant Attorney General - Contracts & Procurement

The Contracts and Procurement Unit of the State Services Section consists of several attorneys, and a legal assistant. We work as a team; however, each attorney has a diverse case load and has significant independent responsibilities. Our Unit advises and represents all Colorado state agencies, higher education institutions, elected officials and the Judicial Department on transactional matters including: state procurement matters; requests for proposals; IT vendor agreements (including cloud based contracts); capital construction; real property transactions (including leases and lease purchase agreements); agreements relating to banking, credit cards and debt management; public finance agreements (including bonds, certificates of participation, public loans and public private partnerships); complex vendor agreements; revenue generating agreements (e.g. licenses and grants); intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding (including with local airports and the federal government); energy loan agreements; and fee agreements with special assistant attorneys general. We also provide general counsel advice on procurement and contract matters, negotiate and draft contracts, and assist clients with contract disputes.
 
Our Unit also acts as general counsel for the Office of the State Controller (“OSC”) and works closely with the OSC on state-wide contracting and procurement issues and rulemaking. Our Unit also acts as general counsel to the Public Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado on all rulemaking matters. We work closely with the State Treasurer on financial matters, specifically public finance matters. Additionally, we are involved in state contract drafting, negotiating, contract review, resolving contract disputes, and terminating contracts. Periodically, we defend State agencies regarding procurement protests. We also serve as an educational and training resource for the Department of Law and its client agencies, and monitor legislation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

This attorney will have the opportunity to represent the DOL on all state contracts, and will do significant drafting and contract review to comply with State Fiscal Rules, State Controller Policies, State Procurement Code and State Procurement Rules. This attorney will also be heavily involved in real estate transactions, will assist state clients when contract disputes arise, and will regularly fine-tune the contract improvement process - which includes working with the OSC and procurement office, drafting state templates, ensuring adequate contractual protections for the state and state agencies on a daily basis, and working with vendors to ensure the state’s best interests and needs are met. The attorney will also provide legal opinions for our clients on specific agency contracts and programs; work closely with the Treasurer’s office on financial transactions; assist other sections in the Department of Law, as necessary; and serve as an educational and training resource for client agencies.

Additional duties include:
• Draft, negotiate, and finalize documents to acquire or dispose of land and buildings.
• Review and approve all due diligence for real estate transactions.
• Review and approve all closing documents.
• Draft, negotiate, and approve State leases and easements.
• Advise and assist in arranging financing of capital construction projects, including bond and tax-exempt financing, public offerings, and private placements.
• Review State of Colorado contracts in accordance with State Controller Fiscal Rules.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the State Services section at Department of Law. 

Salary note: The Department of Law uses an attorney 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-$119,047/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
Qualified 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. 

Candidates for this position must have strong writing skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills with clients and staff. The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team is essential. Ideal candidates will have experience drafting contracts and transactional and financial agreements. We are also looking for an attorney who is well-versed in real estate law and who can communicate professionally with stakeholders at all levels. Although not required, a strong background and interest in public finance and/or specific experience with government contracts or transactions, are preferred.



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.
• Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• 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. 
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.
  
  
  

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

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.

Required Application Materials: Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

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.

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, dental, and vision 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 an 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.

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].

For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at [email protected].