Assistant Attorney General - Water Resources/Water Conservation

Assistant Attorney General - Water Resources/Water Conservation

Qualifications

• 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
• Applicants eligible to waive into the bar must be eligible to Practice Pending Admission
• For this position, we are most interested in candidates with strong experience in civil litigation, including trial experience and experience with Colorado water law, the State Administrative Procedures Act, rulemakings, negotiating settlements, and transactional work
• A genuine enthusiasm for water law
• Excellent writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle a heavy caseload and work well independently and as a team member
• Desire and ability to be responsive and timely in all communications to clients and colleagues
• Confidence to work well with technically and legally sophisticated clients
• Eagerness to be resourceful and to take initiative to learn complex subject matter
• Interest in growing professionally and in being a contributor to the Dept
• Willingness to periodically travel within the State
• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment
• Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references

Responsibilities

• The Water Resources Unit represents the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR), which includes the Office of the State Engineer, the seven Division Engineers, the Dam Safety Section, the Colorado Groundwater Commission, and the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well Construction and Pump Installation Contractors
• The successful candidate will represent these clients in administrative and judicial proceedings
• This attorney will represent DWR in various water matters, including applications for new water rights, changes of water rights, plans for augmentation, objections to well permit issuances and denials, enforcement of curtailment and other administrative orders, appeals of agency decisions, the promulgation of agency rules, and other water rights related matters
• The attorney will advise clients on a wide variety of programs and substantive and procedural legal issues and primarily represent DWR or the CWCB in administrative and judicial proceedings
• This work will include handling water right matters, enforcement actions, and appeals of water court decisions or final agency actions, and providing advice and representation to our clients on rulemaking proceedings

Benefits

• The salary range for an AAG I is $83,292-$92,400/annually
• The AAG II salary range is $96,420-$120,000/annually
• Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis
• In addition to the comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a state government employee, you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
• 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