First Assistant Attorney General (Higher Education)

Details

Section:
State Services
Position Number:
LAA-09443-6/2022
Salary Range:
$10,615.00 - $13,000.00 Monthly
Apply By:
Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 11:59 pm
FLSA:
Exempt
Work Unit:
Higher Education
Job Location:
1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Release Date:
Friday, July 1, 2022
Employment Type:
Full-Time
Position Type:
Non-Classified

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

 

The State Services Section is seeking a First Assistant Attorney General to lead our Higher Education Unit. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about education, public service, and leadership. Our Unit provides legal services to the University of Colorado System, Colorado State University System, University of Northern Colorado, State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education System, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Auraria Higher Education Center, Colorado Mountain College, and Colorado School of Mines.  We are looking for someone who is genuinely excited to manage and coach this team of dynamic and smart lawyers and who will embrace leading the team in this challenging, and often novel, area of law.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The First Assistant Attorney General is one of the most important roles in our office. In this role, you will guide the Unit in delivering high- quality, cost-effective legal services to clients, and supervises employees while also carrying an independent workload.  Managing this team involves coordinating litigation of major cases; hiring staff and attorneys, conducting quarterly performance meetings and evaluations, handling discipline and HR issues; maintaining and developing good relationships with clients; coordinating workflow; coordinating and/or supervising the work of Special Assistant Attorneys General; and drafting reports for the Department of Law.

You will also advise senior leadership on pending issues of public interest and importance and must identify pressing issues as they arise. In addition to handling litigation, you will review higher education-related bills during the legislative session and provides oral and written legal advice on client questions. This work includes writing formal and informal opinions, reviewing and drafting client policies and procedures, and attending and providing advice at meetings of college governing boards.  The First Assistant serves as a frontline leader and contributes to the overall leadership of the Department of Law.

You will also be responsible for inspiring, coaching, leading, and supporting your team of professionals, drawing out the best from your team and pushing them to fulfill the Department of Law’s mission of protecting the rule of law and ensuring justice for all Coloradoans.

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

The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law leadership team. As such, the strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies.

Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence– Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with members of the public, colleagues, and staff.
Communication & Listening – Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with the public, leadership, colleagues, and staff.
Flexible & Adaptable Management – Accepts, adapts, and contributes positively to change; leads with new concepts and ideas; and encourages others to be equally adaptive and flexible.
Coaching & Developing People – Invests in our talent through coaching and sponsorship and by pushing individuals outside of their comfort zones to grow as professionals.
Creative & Strategic Problem Solving – Takes a result-oriented, open-minded, and innovative approach to overcoming challenges and dealing with crises.
Enterprise & Growth Mindset – Balances the desires of the public, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise.

Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General position must meet the following criteria:

  • Admitted to the Colorado bar or 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
  • Demonstrated experience with supervising and coaching lawyers and legal professionals
  • Outstanding writing and analytical skills

Our ideal candidates will have practiced law for a minimum of seven years, and demonstrate progressively more challenging legal experience, including team, project, or case management responsibilities and the resolution of complex legal issues.  A background in higher education law, advising complex organizations, governing boards, litigation, and/or government representation is desirable. Demonstrated ability and/or commitment to supporting a diverse team of dedicated public servants is highly desirable.

Conditions of Employment: 

  • The final candidates for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation.
  • 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.

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

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