Assistant Attorney General – K-12 Education

The K-12 Education Unit is seeking an attorney to join our dynamic and collaborative legal team. The Unit offers the opportunity to practice in a challenging area of law that frequently presents novel legal questions of statewide impact. Our lawyers advise and represent the Colorado Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and four independent boards/agencies (the Charter School Institute, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Facility Schools Board, and the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board). Our team has a diverse body of work – from advising top state officials on education law issues to defending the constitutionality of education law statutes to participating in hearings in the Office of Administrative Courts to revoke licensure due to educator misconduct.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

This attorney will work in the K-12 Education Unit in the State Services Section and will be part of our team responsible for advice and representation for the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado State Board of Education, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Colorado Charter School Institute, the Colorado Facility Schools Board, and the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board (BEST Program). The work is a combination of general counsel work and litigation. Research, analysis, and advice will cover all matters jurisdictional to the State Board of Education and the Colorado Department of Education, including rulemaking related to Title 22 of the C.R.S., school district accreditation and accountability, special education, charter school contracts and appeals, review of legislation related to state education statutes, and compliance with federal education mandates. Most litigation is in the form of administrative hearings at the Office of Administrative Courts in enforcement actions against educator licenses, but the unit is also responsible for high-profile litigation involving challenges to Colorado education statutes. Lawyers in the unit also advise boards on statutes including the Colorado Open Records Act, Open Meetings Law, and various ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements.

The particular role we are filling will have more involvement with complex litigation, and we are seeking an experienced litigator.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified applicants must be licensed to practice law in Colorado or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.

We are interested in candidates who have experience with complex legal issues, excellent client service skills and emotional intelligence, a strong commitment to a collaborative and inclusive team culture, and who are independent workers who demonstrate strong judgment. Given that this attorney will interact with board members and department leaders, candidates should be excellent communicators and be able to confidentially engage with clients and colleagues. Candidates should feel comfortable multitasking and managing their own heavy caseload. Strong writing skills are also a must.

Prior education law or public sector practice is a plus, but not required. Any experience with special education would be highly valuable. A demonstrated commitment to public service is required.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the State Services section.