Assistant Attorney General - Public Safety Unit
Assistant Attorney General - Public Safety Unit
Employer Active
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
Share
Job Alert
You will be updated with latest job alerts via email
$ 88197 - 136558
1 Vacancy
Job Description
Department Information
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Department of Law/Office of the Attorney General (DOL) Civil Litigation and Employment Section has a unique opportunity for an experienced attorney to work for the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS) the Divisions within CDPS: the Colorado State Patrol Colorado Bureau of Investigation the Division of Criminal Justice the Division of Fire Prevention and Control the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; and all other CDPS Boards Commissions and offices (Public Safety Agencies). This position offers the opportunity to provide a broad spectrum of legal counsel to Public Safety Agencies including daily legal advice and guidance to CDPS executive management and staff on a broad variety of issues. The attorney in this position will also assist Public Safety Agencies on certain civil and criminal matters in administrative courts state and federal district and appellate courts. The role will combine general counsel advice and some litigation on behalf of the CDPS with other attorneys in the Section. This position is best suited for an attorney who excels at independently navigating new and unfamiliar issues on a regular basis while engaging as part of a team with other attorneys and staff.
This position is not subject to the Hiring Freeze as outlined in Executive Order D.
WHO WE ARE
The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the Peoples Lawyer. The Attorney General Phil Weiser was elected by the people of Colorado and is the States 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.
Description of Job
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Civil Litigation and Employment Section Public Safety Unitprovides general counsel services and representation to the e Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS). This role is primarily focused on providing general counsel services to CDPS and its Divisions. A secondary but significant component of this role involves representing CDPS in both civil and criminal matters as well as supporting DOL litigation teams from across the office representing CDPS. CDPS litigation typically includes civil rights litigation and judicial review of agency action as well as the defense of subpoenas duces tecum open and criminal justice records and discovery issues. In this role you will have the opportunity to:
- Provide general legal advice to CDPS agencies boards and divisions on a broad variety of legal topics including policy issues legislative mandates subpoenas or open records requests;
- Advise Public Safety Agencies on public safety matters;
- Review rules statutes and applicable law to advise Public Safety Agencies with respect to compliance issues;
- Litigate matters for CDPS in administrative court state and federal district courts and appellate courts typically in collaboration with other attorneys;
- Represent the interests of CDPS divisions in criminal and civil matters includingdefense of subpoenas ducestecum;
- Interpret new legislation collaboratively with Public Safety Agencies and DOL members;
- Support Public Safety Agencies in their response to State emergencies;
- Work with federal and local partners related to funding for State disaster emergencies;
- Research and draft legal opinions;
- Review policies rules and procedures;
- Draft Rule memoranda;
- Attend Board and Commission meetings;
- Advise on Board and Commission conduct including applicability of the Colorado Open Meetings Laws Conflict of Interest CORA CCJRA. Conduct mandatory annual training for multiple boards across CDPS;
- Represent Boards in administrative challenges and hearings;
- Advise recommend and coordinate training specific to current legal issues or areas of concern;
- Conduct trainings as requested or needed by the client; and
- Provide general counsel and advice to CDPS and related agencies on all matters and connecting them with the appropriate specialists within the DOL for further advice and guidance.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section.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 candidates qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). Effective July 1 2025 the salary range for an AAG I is $88197-$117964/annually.
Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). Effective July 1 2025 the AAG II salary range is $102099 - $136558/annually.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.Minimum Qualifications Substitutions Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
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 CourtOffice of Attorney Regulation Counsel.While we understand that no candidate is perfect we are looking for individuals who have at least five years of general counsel and/or civil litigation experience and who can check most of the following boxes:
- Prior experienceappearing in state court in criminal and/or civil mattersregularly workingwith the Colorado Rules of Evidence and the Colorado Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure
- Prior experience in administrative or regulatory law
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Commitment to superior client communication in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent organizational skills
- Prior experience working with public safety law enforcement or law enforcement stakeholders
- Confidence in working with clients and developing strong working relationships with clients
- Solutions-oriented outlook passion for creative problem solving
- Strong analytical and litigation skills
- Ability to independently navigate new and unfamiliar issues on a regular basis while engaging as part of a team with other attorneys and staff
- Ability to work collaboratively with a variety and diversity of personalities
- Be a self-starter who is capable of and enjoys working independently and exercise good judgment as to when to consult teammates and supervisors
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity equity and inclusion.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE HOW TO APPLY SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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.
- The Public Safety Unit functions on a hybrid work model. New employees are generally expected to work in-office 2-3 days a week. The unit will typically designate one day per week as an in-office day for the entire team. Public Safety Unit attorneys are expected to attend in-person meetings with client stakeholders at CDPSs various locations.
- 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.
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
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must establish an account with and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience Education or Additional Information sections of the on-line application.
Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the positionand their relevant experience; 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 at.
For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office please contact our Legal Talent Director at.WHY WORK FOR US
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 withColorado PERA and vacation and sick leave earned each month there are many other unique benefits that we offer including:
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- Public Service Loan Forgiveness:As a state government employee you might be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. A borrower may qualify for forgiveness by making 120on-time payments while employed full-time in public service if they have certain kinds offederal 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 registrationdues
- Employer-provided access to professional development training and CLE through PLI Department of Law University and other entities.
Employment Type
Full-Time
