Assistant Attorney General – Federal and Interstate Water Unit

Details

Section:
Natural Resources
Position Number:
LAA 09894
Salary Range:
$7,100.00 - $9,000.00 Monthly
Apply By:
Monday, August 8, 2022, 11:59 pm
FLSA:
Exempt
Work Unit:
Federal & Interstate/ Colorado River
Job Location:
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Release Date:
Thursday, July 21, 2022
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 lead on matters that protect Colorado’s significant interests in its interstate waters. The ideal candidate will have experience with western water law and federal environmental law, and a genuine desire to work on challenging and important matters in a public service role. This attorney will have the opportunity to work on federal and interstate water matters in each of Colorado’s major interstate river basins, with a focus on the Colorado River.

 

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, 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 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 multiple positions 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

At a minimum, applicants should meet the following criteria:

  • 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 before the first day of employment.

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

  • Demonstrated experience with Western Water Law; Colorado water law preferred.
  • Familiarity with interstate compacts; Colorado River Compact and Upper Colorado River Compact preferred.
  • Demonstrated 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.

 

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.
  • Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.

 

Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

 

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 announcement for more information and to apply online.

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