Assistant Attorney General - Water Resources/Water Conservation

WHAT YOU WILL DO

The Water Resources Unit represents the Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR) which includes the Office of the State Engineer the seven Division Engineers of Colorados seven Water Divisions (South Platte Arkansas Rio Grande Gunnison Colorado Yampa/North Platte and San Juan/Dolores Rivers) the Dam Safety Section the Colorado Groundwater Commission and the Colorado Board of Examiners of Water Well and Geothermal Heat Exchanger Contractors. The position will represent these clients in judicial proceedings including in various water court matters: applications for new water rights changes of water rights plans for augmentation injunctive proceedings to enforce orders of the Division Engineer and any other applications under Colorados Water Right Determination and Administration Act. This position will also represent the clients in administrative proceedings including administrative objections to DWR well permit issuances and denials appeals of agency decisions the promulgation of agency and Board rules and regulations and other water use related matters. This position will provide general counsel advice on water rights administration decree interpretation the Colorado Open Records Act Colorado Open Meetings Law and the Administrative Procedures Act.

The Water Conservation Unit represents the Stream and Lake Protection Section of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) in the acquisition adjudication and protection of instream flow water rights. The Unit also advises the Finance Section and the Watershed and Flood Protection Section of the CWCB in implementation of their programs as well as represents other state agencies in the adjudication and protection of water rights.

The Assistant Attorney General will join a dedicated team of water attorneys working on behalf of the State of Colorado and its state agencies to defend the rule of law protect the water resources of the State of Colorado and to maximize the beneficial use of water for Colorados growth and prosperity. The attorney may work for one or both of the units described above. 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.

Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). The salary range for an AAG I is $88197 - $96554/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $102099 - $136558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Water Resources Unit and the Water Conservation Unit are seeking a talented and enthusiastic attorney with experience in water law to join our Units. This position offers an exciting opportunity to serve as a lead litigator and mentor focusing on representation of the state agency in charge of administration of water rights in Colorado and the state agency with the exclusive authority to appropriate and acquire instream flow water rights for the preservation of the natural environment.


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. Applicants eligible to waive into the bar must be eligible to Practice Pending Admission.

• A genuine enthusiasm for water law
• Experience with water court practice and negotiation of water court decrees
• Experience with reviewing water rights engineering and water rights accounting
• Excellent writing analytical and oral advocacy skills
• Keen attention to detail
• Excellent communication interpersonal and leadership abilities
• Ability to handle a heavy caseload and a fast-paced litigation environment
• Ability to be a self-starter who is capable of and enjoys working 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
• Strong analytical problem-solving and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication interpersonal and leadership abilities
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion and integrity
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting a culture of integrity and accountability within the office
• Maturity and judgment when dealing with high-level stakeholders including knowing when to consult teammates and supervisors
• A demonstrated commitment to public service ethics and professional responsibility

• A minimum of 10 years as a subject matter expertise in water law
• At least five years of experience in water court litigation practice in Colorado Water Courts as lead counsel
• Significant experience with water court practice and negotiation of complex water court decrees in Water Division 1
• Experience drafting substantive Rule 56 motions in Colorado water court proceedings
• Trial or hearing experience as lead counsel
• Experience providing counsel to a client related to the management accounting and planning for raw water resources
• Experience mentoring others or successfully leading teams in a legal setting
• In-depth knowledge of legal ethics rules regulations and best practices

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements.
• 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.

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

• 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.