The Colorado Department of Law (DOL), Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is recruiting for the First Assistant Attorney General to lead the Section’s new Public Safety Unit. This is an exciting opportunity to work with our state public safety and law enforcement partners to make a difference in the lives of Coloradans! The Unit provides a broad spectrum of legal counsel to the Colorado Department of Public Safety (CDPS), its Divisions – 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”). The Office of the Attorney General (AG) offers the opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collaborative environment.
See full job listing at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado/jobs/4450341/first-assistant-attorney-general-public-safety-unit
Responsibilities
This position presents great possibilities for an attorney seeking sophisticated government and leadership experience advising the State of Colorado on cutting-edge legal issues. The work focuses on providing legal counsel to Public Safety Agencies, including daily legal advice and guidance to CDPS executive management and staff on issues critical to public safety and law enforcement. A secondary but significant part of this is representing CDPS in both civil and criminal matters, as well as supporting DOL litigation teams 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 records, and criminal justice records issues.
The work of the Public Safety team is some of the most diverse and rewarding work possible for a legal practitioner and provides an opportunity to learn, explore, and engage with the law and critical programs that protect the public safety of the citizens of Colorado. Historically part of the Corrections and Public Safety Unit, the Public Safety team is now becoming its own free-standing Unit within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section.
As the First Assistant Attorney General of the Public Safety Unit, you will have the opportunity to do the following:
Unit Leadership
- Facilitate the work and operations of the Unit, promoting collaboration, engagement, integrity, and exceptional legal service.
- Assign and oversee advice matters and cases, and coordinate workflow.
- Provide guidance, strategy advice, feedback, and general litigation assistance to attorneys and paralegals.
- Work closely with the Section and DOL employees to develop systems and processes designed to increase efficiencies, streamline litigation, enhance client services, and promote practice excellence.
- Lead the Unit in the development and maintenance of strong client partnerships, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective legal services to clients while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
Supervision and Administration
- Lead a collaborative team of 2 attorneys and shared professional staff resources consistent with the values of the DOL. This includes making hiring and salary recommendations, performance management activities, approval of leave requests, resolution of personnel matters, and other administrative tasks.
- Report to the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section Deputy AG and/or Assistant Deputy AG on legal, operational, and personnel matters on a regular basis and seek supervisory or managerial assistance from them.
- Assist the Section Deputy AG and Assistant Deputy AG with personnel, budget, and various administrative duties.
- Participate in management and leadership teams for the Section and the Office.
Client Service– The First AAG carries a meaningful and independent workload, including the important work listed below.
- 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 critical public safety matters.
- Monitor legislative and legal developments related to CDPS, its divisions, boards, and commissions. Interpret new legislation collaboratively with Public Safety Agencies and DOL attorneys.
- Review rules, statutes, and applicable law to advise Public Safety Agencies with respect to compliance and operational issues.
- Litigate matters for CDPS in administrative court, state and federal district courts and appellate courts, typically in collaboration with other attorneys.
- 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, Colorado Open Records Act, Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act. 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.
- 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.
Qualifications
The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/DOL leadership team. As such, the strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies.
Communication & Listening – Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff.
Flexible & Adaptable Management – Accepts, adapts, and contributes positively to change; leads with new concepts and ideas; and encourages others to be equally adaptive and flexible.
Coaching & Developing People – Invests in our talent through coaching and sponsorship and by pushing individuals outside of their comfort zones to grow as professionals.
Creative & Strategic Problem Solving – Takes a result-oriented, open-minded, and innovative approach to overcoming challenges and dealing with crises.
Enterprise & Growth Mindset – Balances the goals of clients, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise.
Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence– Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with clients, colleagues, and staff.
Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General – Public Safety Unit position must meet the following criteria:
- Admitted to the Colorado Bar or 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 before the first day of employment.
- Prior management or supervisory experience leading a diverse workforce.
- A minimum of 5 years of general counsel, litigation, or other legal experience with substantial depth in public safety, law enforcement, or criminal law.
The ideal candidate will be someone that:
- Relishes the opportunity to work as part of a team and values the insights and contributions from all team members;
- Demonstrates an ability to lead with empathy;
- Has strong critical thinking skills and ability to find creative solutions;
- Approaches issues objectively and with flexibility, with a willingness to adapt to changing priorities and situations;
- Has excellent oral and written communication skills, with a commitment to superior client communication in a fast-paced environment;
- Is confident in working with clients, including executive leadership, and developing strong working relationships with clients;
- Demonstrates excellent organizational skills;
- Has strong analytical and litigation skills;
- Is experienced in working with law enforcement and law enforcement stakeholders;
- Wants to independently navigate new and unfamiliar issues on a regular basis while engaging as part of a team with other attorneys and staff;
- Works collaboratively with a variety and diversity of personalities;
- Possesses excellent judgment as to when to consult with teammates and elevate issues to leadership; and
- Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Conditions of Employment
- Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
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.
Application Process
Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the online applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the online application.
Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing your interest in the position 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the “Attachments” feature of the online application to add documents.
The DOL 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 Julie.Christopher@coag.gov or call 720-508-6511.
For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact Karen Masciulli, Director of Legal Talent, at karen.masciulli@coag.gov
