Senior Paralegal- Water Resources Unit

Join a team of dedicated professionals with a passion for Colorado water law! The Senior Paralegal will support attorneys by performing high level paralegal work requiring an understanding of the legal and procedural issues that arise in the context of water court cases. This position is a great opportunity for a paralegal who can work with high case volume and can effectively draft and file pleadings and other legal documents. If you would like to use your skills to make an impact in Colorado, we invite you to apply so we can learn more about you!

This position is open only to residents of Colorado.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The successful candidate will provide professional paralegal support to the attorneys in the Natural Resources & Environment Section who provide legal representation and counsel primarily to the Colorado Division of Water Resources, which includes the Office of the State Engineer, Colorado’s seven Division Engineers, the Colorado Ground Water Commission, and the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors.

This position will also provide support to counsel in the Water Conservation Unit representing the Colorado Water Conservation Board.  Attorneys in both units represent clients in various administrative proceedings, actively litigate in water court, and are periodically in front of the Colorado Supreme Court.  Attorneys in the units also provide general legal advice to client agencies on a broad variety of topics, including CORA requests

Specific duties include:

• Assist attorneys drafting and filing pleadings, proofing and preparing other legal documents
• Conduct legal, technical and factual research, investigations and analysis in response to specific assignments; produces documentation in support of findings and recommendations
• Engage in most aspects of trial preparation to support the client’s water rights cases
• Interact effectively with client agencies and other legal representatives using knowledge of the water court rules as well as substantive legal issues that may be present in a case
• Manage attorney and unit calendars by calendaring and managing deadlines
• Assist with the various litigation needs in administrative forums as well as state and appellate courts with minimal supervision

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.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
 
Minimum Qualifications: 

• Qualified applicants must have a Paralegal certificate obtained through either an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program or an accredited institution; AND
• One year of experience in a paralegal capacity which includes conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Previous experience with water court cases is highly preferred
• Experience as a litigation paralegal
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize when needed
• Ability to manage high case volume
• Ability to communicate effectively with attorneys and client agencies
• Ability and willingness to learn new systems and procedures
• Strong written communication skills
• Professional communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently as well as with team members
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong analytical skills

Required Competencies:

• Requires proficiency with MS Office Suite.

Substitutions:  
Two years of work experience in a paralegal capacity which included conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources will substitute for the required certificate. A Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school may substitute for the required certificate.

Note: Candidates possessing a foreign degree must submit a translation (evaluation) of their degree from an accredited institution, such as The National Association of Credential Evaluations Services in order to be given credit for the degree.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• This position will initially be working in office, with the opportunity/option to work remotely part of the week upon a proven track record and supervisor approval.
• 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. Religious and medical exemptions and reasonable accommodation shall be addressed as required by law pursuant to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s vaccination guidance.

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.