Senior Assistant Attorney General/Assistant Attorney General – Air Quality Unit

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

 

The Natural Resources and Environment Section, Air Quality Unit is seeking an experienced attorney with a passion for protecting Colorado’s air quality.  This attorney will represent one or more client agencies within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our team works side-by-side with the client agencies on some of the most complex and critical environmental issues, with special attention to disproportionately impacted communities and environmental justice. Colorado is a national leader on critical air quality issues such as climate change and ozone control.  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.

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted prior to the job closing. We encourage you to submit your application early if possible. 

WHO WE AREThe Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the “People’s Lawyer.” The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State’s chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: “Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all.” Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together.

Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.

Description of Job:

This position is part of the Natural Resources and Environment Section’s Air Quality Unit.  This Unit is responsible for providing legal services to the Department of Public Health & Environment’s Air Pollution Control Division, Air Quality Control Commission, Clean Fleet Enterprise, the Air Quality Enterprise, the Office of Environmental Justice and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board. The Air Quality Unit is currently made up of 16 people, which includes lawyers, paralegals, and administrative staff. It is a diverse team of individuals who work collaboratively to support one another in the work we do.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

As the newest member of the Air Quality team, you will provide counsel to our clients on a broad range of complex issues related to the administration of air quality programs.  You will advise and represent the Division in rulemakings before the Air Quality Control Commission. You will manage complex settlement negotiations and represent client agencies in enforcement matters and administrative and civil litigation. You will have the opportunity to work with experienced litigators and to lead litigation in a wide variety of forums. You will also advise our clients on a broad array of matters including, but not limited to enabling legislation, program development, administrative procedure, open meetings and open records issues, and enterprise governance.  You will support the agencies as they tackle issues such as ozone control, climate change, and environmental justice. You will support the DOL’s legislative and rule review process.

The Senior Assistant Attorney General in the Air Quality Unit is expected to handle a full case load and independently manage client work including support in rulemaking, enforcement, general counsel, permitting, legislation, and litigation while serving as a mentor to junior attorneys in the unit. You will have the opportunity to lead these efforts in coordination with senior level management at the client agencies and the Department of Law.

You will also oversee the work of junior attorneys, paralegals, and other administrative personnel partnering on the case, and will frequently collaborate with other local, state, and federal agencies, as well as with other AAGs around the country. The attorney in this position will be expected to successfully manage a case load with a full range of complexity. This attorney will also regularly interact with colleagues, members of the public, academia, and fellow governmental agencies regarding the work of the Unit.

In this role, you will also have the opportunity to:

• Litigate complex civil cases involving violations of the Clean Air Act and Colorado’s Air Pollution Prevention Control Act and other state and federal laws at all phases of litigation, including discovery, motions practice, trial, appeal, and settlement.
• Support nationwide and local litigation to protect Colorado’s environmental interests.
• Participate in complex negotiation and litigation on behalf of the Air Pollution Control Division and other client agencies.
• Serve as a team lead for complex projects, overseeing other attorneys, paralegals, and others, while providing mentoring, coaching, and professional growth opportunities to those on your team.
• Research federal and state laws relating to air quality laws and regulations to ensure that our clients’ actions maintain a strong legal footing
• Serve as a mentor and resource to junior attorneys in the unit, including, for example, providing guidance on litigation strategy and reviewing certain type of work product.
• Travel (both within Colorado and nationwide) when needed, such as for meetings, court appearances, hearings, and trials.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Department of Law.
 
In order to be appointed as a Senior Assistant Attorney General, candidates must have a minimum of ten years of relevant experience as a licensed attorney. If the position is filled at the level of Senior Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be $109,498 to $146,455/year. 

If the position isn’t filled as a Senior Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be at that of Assistant Attorney General II, the pay range is $99,318 to $132,901/ year.  Assistant Attorney General II must have a minimum of three years of experience as a licensed attorney.

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.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights:

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.

For this Senior Assistant Attorney General position, we are seeking applicants who have a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience.

Applicants should highlight in their cover letter any relevant experience, including any experience with including any experience with environmental enforcement, litigation, program development, open records reviews, and government-based general counsel work. Applicants are also encouraged to describe their experience mentoring lawyers and staff.

We are looking for a teammate who has excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills, who thrives in and enjoys fostering a collaborative and friendly work environment but who can also effectively work independently. The strongest candidates will also have:

• More than the minimum 10 years of relevant experience
• Experience leading both litigation and complex settlement negotiations
• Experience in environmental enforcement, rulemakings or Federal Clean Air Act compliance
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to handle a large portfolio of cases with minimal supervision
• Strong organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple cases in various stages of litigation
• Strong strategic, analytical, research, and oral and written communication skills
• Significant experience in negotiating settlements and working with opposing counsel
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Experiencing mentoring others or successfully leading teams in a legal setting
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others
• Maturity and judgment when dealing with high-level stakeholders, including knowing when to consult teammates and supervisors
• The ability to be a self-starter who is capable of and enjoys working independently
• A commitment to public service and environmental protection, specifically.
• A demonstrated commitment to public service

The qualifications for an Assistant Attorney General II are: 

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 before the first day of employment
• Have three years’ experience as a licensed attorney.
• Be passionate and enthusiastic about having a career in environmental law.
• Be willing to periodically travel within the State.

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have three or more years’ experience in environmental regulatory enforcement.
• Have three or more years’ litigation experience.
• Be a multi-dimensional thinker and creative problem solver who enjoys coming up with practical and imaginative solutions.
• Be a self-starter and goal-oriented person who is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
• Be resourceful and take the initiative to learn the subject matter and to grow professionally.  Be a strong writer and have keen attention to detail.
• Have excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Utilize good judgment in working with clients and colleagues.
• Be capable of independently managing a full workload and working well with technically and legally sophisticated clients.

 Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• Requires in-state travel by state vehicle 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.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights. 

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