Assistant Attorney General - State Services (PUC)
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Assistant Attorney General - State Services (PUC)
Salary
$88,197.00 - $136,558.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
LAA-0000-08/2025
Department
Department of Law
Opening Date
08/25/2025
Closing Date
9/22/2025 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.
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.
Department Contact Information
If you have questions about your application contact Vanessa Rhea, vanessa.rhea@coag.gov. Questions about this position and Assistant Attorney General opportunities with the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law can be directed to Legal Talent Director at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.
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 looking for an attorney to join their team. Colorado is recognized as a national leader in the implementation of pioneering renewable energy technology, and the Colorado PUC is at the forefront of these efforts. The PUC General Counsel Unit offers the opportunity to practice in a challenging and cutting-edge area of the law. We frequently deal with complex legal issues in the areas of renewable energy, solar, wind, battery storage, and electric vehicle transportation. The Unit supports and implements the state's goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy that includes the implementation of clean natural gas and clean hydrogen facilities. 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 which involves serving as General Counsel to the PUC and handling some litigation. If you are interested in helping protect Coloradans and working with a multi-disciplinary team, this position is for you!
This position is not subject to the Hiring Freeze as outlined in Executive Order D 2025 009.
Application will be reviewed and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Interested parties are encouraged to apply as soon as 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.
Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General's Office here (https://coag.gov/) .
Description of Job
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The State Services Section is seeking an a ttorney to join the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) team. The Unit counsels the Commissioners of the Public Utilities Commission regarding highly complex legal issues in the areas of transportation, rail safety, telecommunications, gas, electric , steam, gas pipeline safety, and water utility issues, including implementation of some of the nation's most cutting-edge renewable energy matters. The PUC Unit is responsible for reviewing testimony and evidence in evidentiary hearings before the PUC; conducting cross-examination of witnesses on behalf of the Commissioners and advisors; reviewing and analyzing written pleadings, motions, and petitions in matters before the PUC; analyzing and drafting proposed rules; and drafting Commission orders. The Unit closely works with Commissioners' technical advisors and provides general counsel to PUC. The Unit handles all litigation of the PUC in appeals of its orders to state and federal district and appellate courts, as well as matters of PUC interest at the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
PUC Unit attorneys conduct legal research and provide legal advice on either an ad hoc basis or through the preparation of formal and informal legal briefs. The successful candidate will interact and communicate with a wide variety of personnel, including Commissioners, engineers, financial advisors, economists, administrative staff and outside attorneys.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the State Services section.
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.
Attorneys with less than 3 years of experience as a practicing attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General I (AAG I). Effective July 1, 2025, the salary range for an AAG I is $88,197-$117,964/annually.
Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). Effective July 1, 2025, the AAG II salary range is $102,099 - $136,558/annually.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
At a minimum, 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, 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. We welcome applications from more junior-level candidates who have strong academic backgrounds and rigorous and substantive legal training, including clerkships and fellowships.
In our ideal candidates, we are interested in seeing most of the following skills and attributes.
Have some 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
Be highly motivated and eager to learn
Welcome the opportunity to be mentored from more senior attorneys in the Unit
Have excellent research, writing, and interpersonal communication skills
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.
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.
The PUC Unit functions on a hybrid work model. New employees are expected to work in-office 3-days a week. Additional flexibility may be considered for employees after a successful onboarding and training period.
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
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 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 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://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/) including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans withColorado 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
Describe a situation in which you've had to tell a client something they did not want to hear. What guidance would you give to other about how best to say "no" to a client?
04
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?
05
Please discuss your comfort level and experience with preparing appellate briefs. In doing so, please describe your process for preparing, drafting, and finalizing appellate briefs. In your response, provide specific detail related to your thought processes for developing your arguments and your preferred level of collaboration with others.
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
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Website
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