Assistant Attorney General – Employment Practices and Civil Rights

The Department of Law/Office of the Attorney General, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is seeking an attorney with experience in civil litigation and employment and/or labor law for a position in our Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work with various state agencies and institutions of higher education on unique employment and labor issues and to form lasting and rewarding client relationships in a position with frequent client interaction. The attorney will serve as a litigator and advisor focusing primarily on employment and labor work, as well as some civil rights work based on unit and client needs. We are looking for a person who excels at independently tackling new issues on a regular basis, and who is eager to engage as a part of a team.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Provide advice to state agencies and institutions of higher education with regard to compliance with labor and employment matters, and assist state agencies in resolving labor and employment disputes prior to litigation. You may also provide training on labor and employment matters for client agencies and institutions.
• Represent state agencies in employment matters before the State Personnel Board in all phases of administrative hearing and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state and federal court. These duties will include settlement negotiations, conducting discovery, preparing witnesses for hearing, motions practice, trying cases before an administrative law judge, filing and arguing appeals before the Board, Colorado Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, and occasionally trying cases before a judge or jury in court.
• Represent state agencies and institutions of higher education in labor disputes before the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Division of Labor Standards and Statistics and labor arbitrators in all phases of administrative and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state or federal court.

You may also provide advice to the Colorado Civil Rights Division on employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination matters and prosecute employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination complaints from the Colorado Civil Rights Commission.

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.  New ranges will go into effect for employees starting after July 1, 2023.

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.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

At a minimum, 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.

While we understand that no candidate is perfect, we are looking for individuals who have experience with litigation and providing legal advice, and who can check most of the following boxes:

•    Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service.
•    Some knowledge of employment law, labor law, civil rights law, and administrative law and knowledge of the state personnel system.
•    Some public sector legal experience.
•    Excellent time management skills and ability to handle a large load of case and advice work with minimal supervision.
•    Strong litigation, analytical, research, oral, written, and negotiation skills.
•    Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
•    Well-developed ability to work collaboratively.
•    Demonstrates maturity and judgment when dealing with high-level stakeholders and knows when to consult teammates and supervisors.
•    Excels at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter.

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.
• 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.

The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and believes 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.

Please view the full job announcement for more information and to apply online.