Assistant Attorney General - Public Safety Unit

Full Job Description

This position offers a rare opportunity to sit at the intersection of law, public safety, and policy, providing both day-to-day legal guidance and litigation support on matters that directly affect the safety and well-being of Coloradans.

The attorney in this role will serve as a key legal advisor to CDPS executive leadership and staff on complex, fast-moving, and often high-profile issues.

The role combines general counsel responsibilities with meaningful litigation work, and is well suited for attorneys who enjoy variety, intellectual challenge, and a strong sense of mission.

Former prosecutors, current prosecutors seeking a new professional chapter, and attorneys with civil litigation or general counsel experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position is ideal for an attorney who thrives when independently navigating new and unfamiliar legal issues, while also collaborating closely with a team of committed, highly skilled public servants.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

This position supports an incredibly important public mission. The attorneys and client agencies are deeply committed to public safety, integrity, and service to Colorado communities.

You will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact, work alongside dedicated professionals, and contribute to decisions that matter—every single day.

Requirements

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Qualifications

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 Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.

Who We’re Looking For

While no candidate will have experience in every area, we are seeking attorneys who bring strong judgment, curiosity, and a service-oriented mindset, along with at least five years of relevant experience. Ideal candidates will demonstrate many of the following:

• Experience appearing in state court in criminal and/or civil matters, with regular application of the Colorado Rules of Evidence and Criminal and Civil Procedure
• Background in administrative, regulatory, or public sector law
• Excellent written and oral advocacy skills
• A client-focused approach and ability to communicate clearly in high-stakes or fast-moving situations
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing multiple priorities
• Experience working with or advising public safety, law enforcement, or justice-system stakeholders
• Confidence building relationships with senior leadership and frontline professionals alike
• A practical, solutions-oriented approach to complex legal problems
• 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
• Commitment to teamwork, professionalism, and public service
• 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 CDPS’s 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.

Additional Information

HOW TO APPLYApplicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com 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 position and 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 RequestsThe 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 hr@coag.gov.For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.

WHY WORK FOR USWe Embrace FlexibilityWe 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 InclusionAt 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 ValuesOur 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 AttorneysWe 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 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.

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.