Senior Assistant Attorney General - PUC Litigation Unit

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Senior Assistant Attorney General - PUC Litigation Unit

Salary

$94,426.00 - $140,000.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

LAA-09852-05/24

Department

Department of Law

Opening Date

05/02/2024

Closing Date

5/24/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

1300 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Mercedes Chansisourath, email: mercedes.chansisourath@coag.gov

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Department Information

Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!

ThePublic Utilities Commission (PUC) Litigation Unit in the Revenue & Regulatory Law Sectionis looking for an energetic attorney to serve as litigation counsel to Trial Staff of the Public Utilities Commission. The Unit's cases involve important cutting-edge Colorado environmental issues concerning renewable solar and wind energy as well as electric vehicle infrastructure and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Unit's cases also involve litigation of PUC transportation matters concerning the safety and insurance oversight of passenger carriers for hire, towing, household good movers, and common carriers. The attorney will be part of a collaborative 10-person team that appears in litigated proceedings before the Commission's administrative law judges and Commissioners sitting en banc working with Trial Staff to help ensure fair utility rates for all types of customers. Ideal candidates possess a team-focused enthusiasm for the written and oral litigation process at the administrative law level who are willing to learn the unique nuances of PUC-specific litigation while working alongside their new Unit colleagues on innovative energy law issues, including the deployment of renewable energy resources in Colorado, and protecting public safety in regulated transportation cases.

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may be conducted prior to the job closing. We encourage you submit your application early if possible.

WHO WE ARE

The Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law is the "People's Lawyer." The Attorney General, Phil Weiser, was elected by the people of Colorado and is the State's chief lawyer and law enforcement official. Our vision for the Department of Law is: "Together, we serve Colorado and its people, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy and promoting justice for all." Our core values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, drive our actions and demonstrate our focus on being principled public servants who are innovative and better together. Visit our website to learn more:https://coag.gov/.

Description of Job

WHAT YOU WILL DO

ThePUC Litigation Unit, which is part of the Revenue & Regulatory Law Section, has a caseload which focuses on energy law (gas and electric utilities litigation) and transportation matters (transportation for hire, towing, movers, and common carriers). Attorneys also work on telecommunications, railroad, and gas pipeline safety cases, too. The selected attorneys will handle a diverse caseload in these areas and are typically partnered with one or two other attorneys in the Unit, and occasionally, may handle cases solo.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) regulates the rates, charges, services, and facilities of public utilities within Colorado. Our attorneys work with Trial Staff (e.g., engineers, accountants, rate analysts, transportation investigators, and economists) in all aspects of the PUC's unique litigation process including: preparing and filing interventions; drafting and propounding discovery requests; working with Trial Staff to produce pre-filed testimony; preparing responses to discovery requests; preparing for evidentiary hearings (including witness preparation); performing direct examinations; cross-examining witnesses; writing post-hearing statements of position; drafting exceptions to decisions; and negotiating settlement agreements. Throughout these stages, our attorneys are actively involved in strategy discussions with co-counsel and Trial Staff. Litigated matters before the PUC in energy law matters are document intensive, detailed, technical, and can sometimes involve more than a half dozen other parties and their legal counsel. These proceedings involve not only utility rates and ratemaking, but also matters concerning the implementation of Colorado's clean energy goals. Litigated matters before the PUC in transportation matters often concern hearings against a single defendant, many appearing pro se, but can also be complex, involving multiple defendants or regulated companies. The Unit is made up of 9 attorneys and a legal assistant, all of whom typically devote 100% of their time to cases before the PUC.

Senior Assistant Attorney Generals in the Unit must demonstrate:

• Significant subject matter expertise and/or exceptional fundamental legal (writing, litigation, etc.) skills.

• The ability to independently litigate both the typical and more complex cases the Unit litigates.

• Advanced litigation strategy skills such that the candidate will provide significant value as part of the litigation team on complex matters.

• Advanced strategy skills and consistently sound judgment.

• The ability to return consistently high quality and timely work product without significant supervisorial oversight.

• Superior written work product that requires minimal editing.

• Oral communication skills exceeding the standard expectations for the Unit’s cases.

• The ability to model professionalism for Unit peers, the DOL, and the legal profession.

• Disciplined work habits.

• The ability to become recognized by peers and supervisor as an exceptional team member.

• A willingness to take on significant legal responsibilities.

Salary Note: The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate’s qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.

In order to be appointed as a Senior Assistant Attorney General, candidates must have a minimum of five years experience as a litigation attorney. If the position is filled at the level of Senior Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be $106,309 to $140,000/year.

If the position isn’t filled as a Senior Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be at that of Assistant Attorney General II, which is $94,426 to $120,000/year.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

To be considered for this position, 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 CourtOffice of Attorney Regulation Counsel (https://www.coloradosupremecourt.com/index.asp) .

Further, while we know that no candidate is perfect, we are seeking applicants that have most of the following attributes:

• A minimum of five years of practice as a litigation attorney (for Senior AAG consideration) or a minimum of three years of practice for Assistant Attorney General II

• Strong litigation abilities, including legal writing, oral argument, client counseling, cross-examination, legal strategy, and settlement negotiations

• Knowledge of or strong interest in energy law, transportation law (e.g., towing, transportation for hire, common carriers), Colorado public utilities law, Colorado administrative law, and/or environmental law/issues (e.g., solar, wind, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, clean energy, renewable energy, social cost of carbon, and greenhouse gas reduction)

• Ability to assume diverse caseload with moderate supervision and have good judgment as to when to consult teammates and supervisors

• A well-developed ability to work collaboratively with a variety of people

• Self-starter who is eager to learn and develop professionally

• Excellent self-awareness and judgment

• Well-developed client service, interpersonal skills, and negotiation talent

• Passion for producing excellent work product and keen attention to detail

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service

We are seeking Senior Assistant Attorney General candidates possessing most of these additional attributes:

• A passion for mentoring and coaching new attorneys in the Unit and at the DOL

• Excellent client counseling skills

• Enthusiasm for continuously learning complex subject matter the Unit’s litigation concerns

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

• Applicants must be willing to work at least 2 to 3 days per week in-person.

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.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

Supplemental Information

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

In addition to the comprehensiveState of Colorado benefits package (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits) including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans withColorado PERA (https://www.copera.org/) , and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• Medical (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/medical) anddental (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/dental) health plans

• Employer-paid life insurance

• Paid vacation and sick leave earned each month

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) – The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a repayment plan while working full-time for a qualified employer.

• Free access to an on-site fitness center

• Strong, flexibleretirement benefits (https://www.copera.org/retirement-benefits) including 401K and 457 plans

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State personnel system

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program

HOW TO APPLY

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 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, atJulie.Christopher@coag.govor call 720-508-6511.

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

To apply, you must submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three professional references. Failure to attach these documents may result in your application not being considered. Please confirm that you have attached the required documents.

• Yes

• No

  02

  Please provide your Bar registration number, state(s) in which you hold a license, and Bar date. Assistant Attorneys General in the Colorado Department of Law 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.

  03

  Please describe a time you worked well as part of a team. What was your contribution to the team's success? What made the team successful? Your response should not exceed 400 words.

  Required Question

Agency

State of Colorado

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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