First Assistant Attorney General - Parks, Wildlife and Trust Lands Unit

Salary: $139,751.00 - $186,917.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: LAA-9346-1/2025
Department: Department of Law
Division: Natural Resources & Environment
Opening Date: 02/06/2025
Closing Date: 2/20/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 1300 Broadway, Denver CO 80203
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information: Human Resources Unit, HR@coag.gov
Type of Announcement: This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Information
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Colorado Department of Law, Natural Resources and Environment Section seeks to hire a First Assistant Attorney General to lead the Department's Parks, Wildlife and Trust Lands Unit. This is a rare opportunity for an attorney seeking high-level government experience to lead a team of 11 attorneys who provide legal representation for the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission and the Division of Parks and Wildlife (collectively Colorado Parks and Wildlife) and the Colorado State Board of Land Commissioners and its staff on all their legal matters. The Office of the Attorney General offers the opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collaborative environment supported by leadership committed to effective and innovative law enforcement.
WHO WE ARE

The 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:
Description of Job
The First Assistant Attorney General for Parks Wildlife and Trust Lands oversees a team of 11 attorneys and two paralegals who provide legal services to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (including a handful of other, related entities such as the Fish Health Board and the Colorado Outdoor Equity Board) and the Colorado State Land Board. In addition to managing the legal team, the First Assistant AG also provides substantive legal advice to the unit's client agencies. This can take the form of general counsel advice, contract review, litigation, coordination with other agencies and departments in state government, and collaboration with various federal agencies. Areas of practice include administrative law and rulemaking; contracts; real estate; water law; wildlife law; management of hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation; legal advice regarding oil and gas and other mineral leasing; conservation of threatened and endangered species; state and federal preemption law; and Colorado statutes governing open meetings and open records.
First Assistant Attorneys General at the Department of Law ensure the unit consistently provides high-quality legal representation. The First is expected to handle a caseload and may act as co-counsel on litigation matters that include high profile or complex cases in the unit. The First Assistant Attorney General serves as a frontline leader in the Department of Law and is responsible for assisting the Deputy Attorney General with personnel, budget, and various administrative duties affecting the work of the Unit and the Department of Law.
WHAT YOU WILL DO

As the First Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources and Environment Section, Parks, Wildlife and Land Trusts Unit you will have the opportunity to:

• Oversee and provide legal services to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This includes assisting and advising the Commission in the development of state wildlife and state park management programs, developing and adopting permit, pass, and licensing requirements, assisting and advising the Division in the implementation of the Commission's programs, licensing requirements, rules, and orders; coordinating with the Office of the State Controller and Risk Management; overseeing use and implementation of CPW's extensive water rights statewide; and assisting the Division in management of its portfolio of fee properties, access easements, conservation easements, state parks, state wildlife areas, state hatcheries, gun ranges, research centers, and counseling its law enforcement officers.
• Oversee and provide legal services to the State Land Board. This includes assisting and advising the Board in the development of management programs and lines of business for the stewardship and leasing of real property assets held in trust by the State, including those managed to benefit Colorado's public schools. Principal lines of business include mineral leasing, grazing leases, commercial leases, and recreational leases. It also involves assisting and advising the Land Board staff in the implementation of the Board's programs and overseeing litigation that arises in the course of the Land Board's operations.
• Lead the Unit, manage, and oversee a staff of 13 employees, including assistant attorneys general and legal assistants. The First Assistant supervises and evaluates 11 attorneys and 2 paralegals, is responsible for employee performance management activities, assigns and monitors cases, makes hiring decisions, holds regular unit meetings, and reports to senior management on policy and personnel issues.
• The First Assistant also takes the lead on many of the more complex cases and transactions involving Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the State Land Board including program consultations on a wide variety of programs and substantive and procedural legal issues, caseload and transaction management.
• Manages the Unit, including assigning and monitoring cases and transactions, reviewing outgoing work product, making hiring recommendations, mentoring and evaluating staff, and reporting to senior management on policy, litigation, transactional and personnel matters.
• The First Assistant works closely with the other supervising attorneys in the section and reports directly to the Deputy Attorney General of the Natural Resources and Environment Section, meeting regularly to communicate any significant cases or issues to the Deputy.

Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. 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

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.

Communication & Listening - Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff. Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, 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 goals of clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise
Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence- Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with clients, colleagues, and staff

Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General - Parks, Wildlife and Trust Lands Unit position must have the following qualifications:

• Qualified 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

While we understand that no candidate is perfect, we are looking for candidates who can check most of the following boxes:

• At least seven years of legal experience.
• Broad range of litigation experience.
• Experience with public contracting including knowledge of Colorado state procurement code and Colorado fiscal rules
• Experience in transactional activities such as negotiating and drafting complex agreements
• Ability to balance a caseload with supervision and mentorship of staff
• Good judgment as to when to consult supervisors and report on issues
• Have strong legal research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Interest in and/or commitment to public service and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
• Experience advising clients on high-profile matters with multiple stakeholder groups
• Comfort with and confidence in assessing risks and benefits
• Strong analytical skills and keen attention to detail
• Well-developed ability to work collaboratively
• Excel at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter

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.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Newer employees are encouraged to work in the office 2 or 3 days per week, however alternate in-person and remote work arrangements will be considered.
• 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 website.
• 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.

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

Supplemental Information
WHY WORK FOR US

We Embrace Flexibility

We aim to produce outstanding work product for our clients, be efficient with our time, and support each other as team members - which also means we embrace flexible working arrangements when and where possible.

We Are Committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At the DOL, our commitment to DEI is thriving. We know that we are better together when our differences are valued and everyone is inspired and empowered to contribute. As such, we strive to provide a safe environment where individuals feel valued and respected for who they are; demonstrate a behavior and mindset where differences are welcomed, and individuals are treated equally and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce. We empower an active Diversity Equity & Inclusion Impact Team that creates approaches to ensure safe spaces and a culture supportive of people being their authentic selves, hosts events and programs on DEI areas important to our employees, enables development and sustainability of resource groups that give a voice to historically marginalized populations, focuses on retaining our incredible talent, and more! If your professional goals include promoting growth and innovation with colleagues who recognize that we are better together when our differences are valued and respected, then DOL is your place to be!

We Have Strong Core Values

Our core values drive our actions. At the Department of Law, we are: 1) principled, maintaining the highest ethical standards, rigorous legal analysis, and careful evaluation of facts; 2) public servants, who are always ensuring our work is not about us, but instead is about the people of Colorado; 3) innovative, by seeking to identify the best approach, make deliberate decisions, and look to improve; and 4) "better together," by working to support each other and collaborate.

We are Committed to Developing our Attorneys

We are deeply invested in our talent and regularly provide meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth through training and coaching. Further, our professional development and performance goal setting process is collaborative and ongoing, and aimed at helping our attorneys grow and succeed.

We Offer Excellent Benefits

In addition to the comprehensive including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with , and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• : As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120 on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds of federal loans in a qualifying repayment plan
• Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program
• Employer-paid mental health and counseling services through Colorado State Employee Assistance Program
• Employer-paid annual attorney registration dues
• Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI, Department of Law University and other entities.

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents. Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

ADAAA Requests
The Department of Law is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Julie Christopher, or 720-508-6511.
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01

To apply, you must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Failure to attach these documents may result in your application not being considered.Please confirm that you have attached the required documents.

• Yes
• No

02

Please provide your bar registration number, state(s) in which you hold a license, and bar date. Assistant Attorneys General in the Colorado Department of Law 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.
03

Please draft a brief narrative response to each question below. Your responses should be no more than 200 words maximum per question. Please note, your responses to these questions will be evaluated as part of the assessment of your qualification and fit for this position.What strengths do you possess that make you an effective leader? Provide an example of a time when you have used these strengths in a supervisor or team lead role.
Required Question