Assistant Attorney General – Federal and Interstate Water Unit

Details

Section:

Natural Resources

Position Number:

LAA 09416

Salary Range:

$83,292.00 - $120,000.00 Yearly

Apply By:

Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 11:59 pm

FLSA:

Exempt

Work Unit:

Federal & Interstate/ Colorado River

Job Location:

1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

Release Date:

Wednesday, September 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. The ideal candidate will have experience with western water law and federal environmental law, federal regulatory law, and have a genuine desire to work on challenging and important matters in a public service role.

 

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 research, drafting, litigation, and negotiations involving compact compliance, environmental compliance, 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 Indian 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.

This position will assist other attorneys within the unit in managing the legal aspects of the State’s interstate water compacts. The position will also assist those attorneys and the clients in navigating issues of federal reserved water rights, federal environmental programs, and state water rights administration within Colorado.  The position will include legal and legislative research, brief and memo drafting, and discovery management.  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, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Indian Tribes.  Some travel may be required.

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.

 

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.

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 is also beneficial.
• Aptitude for legislative, legal, and historical research.
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated litigation experience in federal or state courts.
• Demonstrated experience in negotiations and other transactional work.
• Familiarity with litigation discovery and document management.
• Familiarity with federal environmental and endangered species law.
• Familiarity with Tribal law.
• Ability to effectively work with stakeholders on complex issues.
• Superior skills in legal research and a natural curiosity to investigate issues.
• 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.

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.

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.

 

Please view the full job announcement for more information, including information about compensation and benefits, and to apply online.