Assistant Attorney General – Water Quality Unit

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

The Natural Resources and Environment Section is seeking an experienced attorney with a passion for protecting Colorado’s water quality.  This full-time position will be with the Water Quality Unit within the Natural Resources and Environment Section. Few law practices offer a comparable opportunity to work on cutting edge issues affecting the state, the country and the world, all while accommodating work-life balance. Colorado is a national leader on critical water quality issues such as protecting Colorado’s precious water resources from emerging contaminants, fostering direct reuse of treated water for drinking water supplies, and addressing nutrient pollution in our waters.  Our team works side-by-side with our client agencies on some of the most complex and critical environmental issues.

The Water Quality Unit is responsible for providing legal services to the Department of Public Health & Environment’s Water Quality Control Division, Water Quality Control Commission, and the Division of Environmental Health and Sustainability.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

In this role, you will have the opportunity to provide counsel and litigation services to the client agencies on a broad range of complex matters involving core program issues. You will advise and represent our clients on the administration of environmental protection programs related to water quality permitting and enforcement, and in rulemaking.  You will also manage complex settlement negotiations and represent client agencies in administrative and civil litigation. Further, you will work with experienced litigators, and lead litigation, in addition to advising on a host of legal and regulatory issues related to water quality control. Attorneys in the Unit work collaboratively with other Natural Resources and Environment Section attorneys and regularly interact with federal, local and other state agencies.

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.
• Be passionate and enthusiastic about having a career in environmental law.

We welcome applications from candidates whose diverse experiences and background would add value to the department, our unit’s work, and our clients. We are most interested in candidates who have had hands-on litigation experience and substantive legal training, including fellowships or clerkships. We are also interested in seeing most, if not all, of the following skills and attributes.

• Experience and interest in environmental regulatory enforcement.
• Litigation experience, including motions practice and discovery.
• Multi-dimensional thinker and creative problem solver who enjoys coming up with practical and innovative solutions.
• Self-starter and goal-oriented person who is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Resourceful and takes the initiative to learn the subject matter and to grow professionally.
• Strong writing skills and keen attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Good judgment in working with clients and colleagues.
• Capable of independently managing a full workload and working well with technically and legally sophisticated clients.

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.

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Applicants must be willing to periodically travel within the State.
• 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.
• Effective August 15, 2022, this position will require documented proof of full COVID-19 vaccination. New employees will be required to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination within three (3) business days of hire. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. In the event of serial testing, religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.

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