Assistant Attorney General - NRE, Air Quality Unit

State of Colorado • Denver, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Natural Resources and Environment Section's Air Quality Unit is seeking an experienced attorney to help protect and improve Colorado's air quality through innovative and impactful legal work. This attorney will represent one or more client agencies within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, providing strategic legal counsel and litigation support on complex environmental and administrative law matters. Working in close partnership with client agencies, the Air Quality Unit addresses some of Colorado's most significant environmental challenges, including climate change, ozone pollution, and the implementation of air quality regulations, with a strong commitment to environmental justice and the protection of disproportionately impacted communities. Colorado is a national leader in advancing air quality policy, offering a unique opportunity to work on precedent-setting legal issues that influence the state, the nation, and beyond—all while enjoying a collaborative work environment and a healthy work-life balance.

Requirements

• 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.
• Be passionate and enthusiastic about having a career in environmental law and serving the State of Colorado as a public servant.
• Be willing to periodically travel within the State.
• Three years 'experience as a licensed attorney; and
• Professional legal experience in environmental regulatory enforcement and litigation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with environmental enforcement, litigation, program development, open records reviews, and government-based general counsel work.
• Experience mentoring lawyers and staff.
• Be a multi-dimensional thinker and creative problem solver who enjoys coming up with practical and imaginative solutions.
• Be capable of independently managing a full workload and working well with technically and legally sophisticated clients.
• Demonstrate exceptional legal writing skills, including the ability to produce clear, concise, persuasive, and well-organized work product with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Possess strong analytical skills and the ability to identify, research, and evaluate complex legal, factual, and strategic issues.
• Communicate effectively with sophisticated clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders, both orally and in writing.
• Apply sound judgment, professionalism, discretion, and practical business awareness when advising clients and working with colleagues.
• Think strategically and creatively, developing practical, innovative, and legally sound solutions to complex or novel problems.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, resourcefulness, and initiative in developing subject-matter expertise and identifying issues that require further analysis or action.
• Work effectively with limited supervision, exercise ownership over assignments, and consistently meet deadlines and performance expectations.
• Independently manage a substantial and varied workload, appropriately prioritize competing demands, and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Collaborate effectively across teams while also demonstrating the confidence and accountability necessary to lead matters independently.
• Establish credibility and trusted-advisor relationships with technically and legally sophisticated clients.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and the delivery of high-quality client service.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal counsel and representation to one or more client agencies within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment on a broad range of environmental and administrative law matters.
• Represent client agencies in rulemakings before the Air Quality Control Commission, administrative enforcement proceedings, and civil litigation.
• Participate in complex settlement negotiations.
• Develop and manage a diverse practice advising clients on statutory interpretation, program implementation, administrative procedure, open meetings and open records laws, enterprise governance, and other legal issues affecting Colorado's air quality programs.
• Support the Department's legislative and rule review process.
• Contribute to addressing some of Colorado's most significant environmental challenges, including ozone reduction, climate change, and environmental justice.
• Represent the State of Colorado in complex civil litigation involving the federal Clean Air Act, the Colorado Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act, and other state and federal environmental laws through all phases of litigation, including investigation, discovery, motions practice, trial, settlement, and appeal.
• Provide strategic legal counsel and representation to the Air Pollution Control Division and other client agencies on complex air quality, environmental, and administrative law matters, including regulatory compliance, enforcement, and program implementation.
• Participate in complex negotiation and litigation on behalf of the Air Pollution Control Division and other client agencies.
• Conduct legal research and prepare written legal analyses, pleadings, motions, briefs, and other legal documents to support client agencies in developing, implementing, and defending air quality programs and regulatory actions.
• Travel within Colorado and, on occasion, nationwide for meetings, negotiations, hearings, trials, and other litigation-related proceedings.

Benefits

• Competitive medical and dental health plans
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Paid holidays
• Retirement plans with Colorado PERA
• Vacation and sick leave earned each month
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness program eligibility
• Free access to a recently renovated on-site fitness center
• Flexible work schedules
• Professional development opportunities
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed