First Assistant Attorney General - State Services (PUC)
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First Assistant Attorney General - State Services (PUC)
Salary
$143,664.00 - $192,151.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
LAA-09019-08/2025
Department
Department of Law
Division
State Services
Opening Date
08/15/2025
Closing Date
9/5/2025 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
Vanessa Rhea: vanessa.rhea@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!
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) General Counsel Unit in the State Services Section is seeking a senior attorney to lead the Unit. Colorado is actively working towards a clean energy transition, aiming for 100% net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and the Colorado PUC is at the forefront of these efforts as the state regulator of public utilities. Given this focus, the PUC General Counsel Unit offers the opportunity to practice in a cutting-edge area of law that will include complex regulatory issues as well as substantive issues regarding renewable energy, solar, wind, battery storage, and electric vehicle transportation. In addition, the Unit advises the PUC on water, transportation, telecommunications, rail and transit safety, and gas pipeline safety matters. This position is a hybrid role that involves both serving as General Counsel to the PUC Commissioners, advisors, and staff and representing the PUC in matters before state and federal court including judicial review of PUC decisions. If you are interested in helping protect Coloradans and working with a multi-disciplinary team, this position is for you!
Applications will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
This position is not subject to the Hiring Freeze as outlined in Executive Order D 2025 009.
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. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General's Office here (https://coag.gov/) .
Description of Job
The State Services Section is seeking a senior attorney to lead the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) General Counsel Unit. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and driven legal professional to guide a high-performing team working on some of Colorado's most complex and innovative regulatory issues.
As the supervising attorney for the PUC General Counsel Unit, you will lead a team of attorneys providing ongoing legal counsel to the Commissioners along with their advisors and staff on a wide range of matters involving energy, transportation, rail and pipeline safety, telecommunications, and water utilities. Because of Colorado's clean energy goals, this work will involve cutting-edge legal issues related to renewable energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, clean hydrogen and natural gas, and other critical components of Colorado's clean energy transition.
In this role, you will:
Lead a collaborative team of 8 attorneys and 2 professional staff consistent with the values of the DOL that recognize that members of the DOL are public servants, principled, innovative, and better together. 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 State Services Section Deputy AG on legal, operational, and personnel matters on a regular basis and seek supervisory or managerial assistance from the Deputy;
Assist the Section Deputy AG and Office Manager with personnel, budget, and various administrative duties affecting the work of the Unit, Section, and the DOL;
Participate in management and leadership teams for the Section and the Office;
Provide strategic legal advice and leadership on complex regulatory and administrative law matters;
Oversee and manage the legal work of the Unit, ensuring consistency, quality, and clarity in legal analysis and written product across all of the Unit's regular work, which includes analyzing, exercising judgment, and providing legal advice on pleadings, filings, and testimony in adjudicated cases before the PUC; conducting cross-examination of witnesses on behalf of the Commissioners and advisors and advising the Commission Chair on conduct of hearings; providing legal guidance and drafting expertise in rulemaking proceedings; drafting and revising final written Commission decisions; and providing ad hoc legal advice, applying sound judgment, on general counsel matters as issues arise;
Lead or coordinate litigation on behalf of the PUC in state and federal district and appellate courts, as well as before federal regulatory agencies; and
Collaborate closely with the Commissioners' technical advisors to support sound regulatory decision-making through written briefing materials, individual meetings to discuss recommendations, presentations at Commissioners' Weekly Meetings, and drafting comprehensive written decisions.
Overall, we are looking for a candidate with proven leadership and management experience, sound judgment and client management skills, exceptional communication and writing skills, and the ability to clearly and persuasively convey complex technical and legal issues to diverse audiences, mindful of overarching and diverse policy goals and other factors significant to the client. A passion for public service, commitment to excellence, and ability to lead and inspire others are essential to success in this role.
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.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law 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. 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 -PUC General Counsel Unit position must have the following qualifications:
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.
A minimum of 7 years of general counsel, administrative, litigation, or transactional legal experience.
We are seeking applicants who are excited about our work and whose diverse experiences and background would add value to the department, the unit, and our clients.
And, for all of our candidates, we are interested in seeing most, if not all, of the following skills and attributes.
Have significant experience in utilities law, energy law and/or administrative law.
Have a demonstrated ability to effectively prepare and provide advice regarding technically complex matters for administrative or judicial hearings.
Be able to work effectively with a team or independently, exercise sound judgment, and provide high level legal services to a sophisticated client.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
The PUC Unit functions on a hybrid work model. First Assistant Attorneys General are encouraged to work in the office at least 2 or 3 days per week, however alternative in-person and remote work arrangements will be considered.
The Office of the Attorney General offers challenging, interesting, and meaningful work. We are an equal opportunity employer and believe that a diverse workforce 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
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 their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; 3) one independent 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 Requests
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 athr@coag.gov.
For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director atlegaltalentdirector@coag.gov.
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 comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/) including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA (https://www.copera.org/members/retirement-benefits) , and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) : 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.
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, one or more independent writing samples, and contact information for three professional references. Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.These documents are reviewed to assess candidates, and failure to attach all may result in your application not being considered.
I confirm that I have attached all required application materials.
I have not attached all required application materials.
02
Please provide your CO attorney registration number and admission date. If you are not licensed in CO, please provide the state(s) in which you hold a license, your attorney registration number, and admission 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
For question 3, please draft a brief narrative response to each sub-question below. Your response should be no more than 200 words maximum per sub-question. Please note, your response to this question will be evaluated as part of the assessment of your qualification for this position. 1. What strengths do you possess that make you an effective leader? Provide an example of a time when you have used these strengths in a supervisor or team lead role. 2. Describe a time you didn't know how to advise a client on a complex and time-sensitive issue in the moment. What was the scenario and how did you handle it? How did you maintain the client's confidence and trust in you?
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
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Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
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