Assistant Attorney General – Federal and Interstate Water Unit

Details

Section:
Natural Resources
Position Number:
LAA 09904
Salary Range:
$7,100.00 - $9,000.00 Monthly
Apply By:
Monday, February 6, 2023, 11:59 pm
FLSA:
Exempt
Work Unit:
Federal & Interstate/ Colorado River
Job Location:
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Release Date:
Friday, January 20, 2023
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Position Type:
Non-Classified

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

The Natural Resources and Environment Section, Federal & Interstate Water Unit is seeking an experienced attorney to join the hardworking and collaborative team that represents the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources (the State Engineer’s Office), Compact Commissioners, and the State of Colorado. This attorney will help protect Colorado’s significant interests in its interstate waters by leading federal and interstate water matters in Colorado’s major interstate river basins, with a focus on the Colorado River. The ideal candidate will have experience with western water law and federal environmental law and/or have federal regulatory experience, and have a genuine desire to work on challenging and important matters in a public service role.

Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.  Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

 

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Federal & Interstate Water Unit within the Natural Resources Section of the Office of the Attorney General seeks an Assistant Attorney General to assist in litigation and negotiations involving, compact compliance, environmental permitting, and related matters.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to represent the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources (the State Engineer’s Office), Compact Commissioners, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), and the State of Colorado in state and federal court, as well as in negotiations with other states, the federal government, and Tribes. The purpose of that work is largely to protect and honor Colorado’s rights and obligations under interstate water compacts, and to uphold the State’s sovereign interests over water rights administration within its borders.

Although this position will have the potential to work in each of Colorado’s major interstate river basins, the focus for the position will be the Colorado River Basin. Some of the issues on which the Unit is currently engaged include federal litigation in the basin and negotiating with other states on agreements to maximize the use of the water supply in Colorado while maintaining compliance with the Colorado and Upper Colorado River Basin Compacts. This position would require direct engagement on these and similar issues, with the potential to lead on some issues. In addition to representing the State of Colorado in litigation and negotiations with other states, the position will require the candidate to interact with water users in Colorado River Basin or other basins, non-governmental organizations, and Tribes.

In addition to working on issues in the Colorado River basin, this position will assist other attorneys within the unit in managing the legal aspects of the State’s other interstate compacts. The position will also assist those attorneys and the clients in navigating issues at the intersection of federal reserved water rights, federal environmental programs, and state water rights administration within Colorado.

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.

 

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.

Our ideal candidates will have many, or most, of the following skills and attributes:

  • Demonstrated experience with Western Water Law; Colorado water law preferred, or federal regulatory experience. Familiarity with interstate compacts; Colorado River Compact and Upper Colorado River Compact preferred.
  • Demonstrated litigation experience in federal and state courts.
  • Demonstrated experience with federal environmental and endangered species law.
  • Familiarity with Tribal law.
  • Demonstrated experience in negotiations and other transactional work.
  • Ability to effectively work with stakeholders on complex issues.
  • Superior skills in legal research and a natural curiosity to investigate issues.
  • Excellent writing and oral advocacy.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and a demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal and factual problems.
  • Ability to manage a heavy workload and thrive under tight deadlines.
  • Self-starter, who can work independently, but also enjoys collaborating with a team.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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.
  • Requires in-state travel by state vehicle and occasional interstate travel 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.

 

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

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