Economist, Antitrust and Consumer Protection

Details

Section:
Consumer Protection
Position Number:
LAA-00533
Salary Range:
$70,140.00 - $96,768.00 Yearly
Apply By:
Friday, May 2, 2025, 11:59 pm
FLSA:
Exempt
Work Unit:
Antitrust
Job Location:
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Release Date:
Friday, April 18, 2025
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Position Type:
Classified
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

The Consumer Protection Section, Antitrust Unit is seeking an experienced economist to join the team of professionals protecting competition in Colorado. The Antitrust Unit investigates and enforces violations of the Colorado Antitrust Act, the Colorado Consumer Protection Act, and federal antitrust laws. This position offers the unique opportunity to apply your skills with economic modeling and forecasting to assess market dynamics and predict the impact of mergers and anticompetitive behaviors, and assist with other matters across the Consumer Protection Section. The strongest candidates for this role will have expert level econometric modeling knowledge and experience, as well as policy evaluation and experience supporting litigation.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Economist III in the Consumer Protection Section will work with attorneys in the Department of Law to investigate and litigate proposed mergers and allegations of anticompetitive conduct; investigate and prosecute price-fixing cartels; and oversee contract economists hired for specific matters. The position will also serve as an internal economic expert, advising Department management on complex issues relating to economic analysis. Duties include the following:

  • Study the likely economic effects of mergers and business strategies by identifying candidate theories of harm to competition, conducting empirical analyses to assess those theories, and developing pragmatic solutions to economic and empirical challenges that arise in fast-paced investigations
  • Analyze the economic impact of mergers and business strategies by identifying potential competitive risks, conducting empirical assessments, and developing practical solutions to complex economic and empirical challenges in fast-paced investigations
  • Design efficient plans for gathering and synthesizing confidential data and other economic evidence from market participants, such as discovery requests and workflows
  • Plan and execute efficient strategies for collecting and synthesizing confidential data and economic evidence from market participants
  • Develop and implement sophisticated econometric models to assess market dynamics and predict the impact of mergers and anticompetitive behaviors
  • Conduct policy impact evaluation and comprehensive analyses to evaluate the economic implications of existing and proposed legislation, providing strategic recommendations to guide policy decisions
  • Work in teams to build detailed understandings of markets and competitive strategies through research, empirical analyses, interviews with industry leaders, and review of company documents and internal communications
  • Test analyses and defenses presented by economists advocating for the investigated firms
  • Assess economic arguments and defenses presented by firms under investigation; draft neutral white papers and/or rebuttal reports to the defenses presented by economists advocating for the investigated firms
  • Present evaluations and make recommendations to Section leadership and actively collaborate in the decision-making process; advise Department management on issues relating to economic analysis and enforcement matters
  • Collaborate in teams to build a comprehensive understanding of market dynamics and competitive strategies through research, empirical analysis, industry interviews, and review of company documents and internal communications
  • Serve as a testifying expert for the Department of Law about the relevant economic structure and effects at issue in the underlying lawsuit
  • Testify at hearings and other contexts about the economic effects of proposed legislation
  • Work closely with legal teams to integrate economic insights into case strategies, ensuring a robust approach to enforcement actions
  • Perform continuous research to stay abreast of the latest developments in economic theory and antitrust regulations to inform analyses and maintain best practices
  • Produce reports and written recommendations and expert reports for own testimony
  • Manage and lead teams of contract economists on a project-by-project basis
  • Work with units across the department to understand if they need to use an economist, what kind of economist to use, and how to approach econometric issues given case-specific issues, and develop standards on how these resources will be utilized
  • Work with DOL Purchasing team to define the scope of work, deliverables, and performance standards for contracts, regularly track the progress of contract workers to ensure they are meeting deadlines and achieving the desired outcomes; provide feedback to contract workers regarding performance and to address any issues
  • Oversee strategic consultant engagement, leading the selection and management of external consultants, ensuring their work aligns with the Department’s objectives and maintains high-quality standards

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.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in the Department of Law, Consumer Protection Section.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
 
Minimum Qualifications and Substitutions: Please document all relevant experience in detail on your application. Experience will not be inferred or assumed. Any part-time experience listed will be prorated. 

Experience Only:

Requires seven (7) years of experience assessing market dynamics and predicting the impact of mergers or other anticompetitive behaviors.

OR

Education and Experience: 

Requires a combination of college education in economics, finance, math, statistics, or in a closely related field AND experience assessing market dynamics and predicting the impact of mergers or other anticompetitive behaviors totaling seven (7) years.

Preferred Qualifications: In addition to the minimum qualifications, the preferred applicant will also demonstrate and clearly describe the following skills and experience in their job application:

  • Expert level knowledge, skills, and ability to lead development of processes and procedures for economic analysis
  • Prior experience working with economic analysis in collaboration with attorneys or the court system
  • Advanced degree in economics or related field
  • Ability to lead other economists in the analysis of work described
  • Experience in government investigations in consumer protection or antitrust
  • Experience with academic research of issues related to competition
  • Ability to serve as an expert advisor on market dynamics and the impact of mergers and anticompetitive behaviors and  aspects of investigations and litigation including case intake, enforcement, and settlement decisions.
  • Previous experience with policy evaluation and making policy recommendations
  • Drive to conduct continuous research to stay abreast of the latest developments in economic theory and antitrust regulations
  • Experience working with contract labor and vendor management skills
  • Strong verbal communication skills
  • Ability to explain complex information orally and in written material
  • Ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, ability to work on teams
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Flexibility to manage heavy workload and tight deadlines as well as multiple projects simultaneously

Conditions of Employment:

 

Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

Requires occasional out of state travel

This unit offers flexible work arrangements. New employees are generally expected to work in-office two to three days per week. Additional flexibility will be considered for employees after a successful onboarding and training period. Please note, flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.

Colorado Department of Law participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

 

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