Legal & Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State
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Legal & Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State
Salary
$120,000.00 - $170,000.00 Annually
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
VAA09TBD_08.2025
Department
Department of State
Division
Administration Division
Opening Date
08/26/2025
Closing Date
9/9/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
1700 Broadway, Denver, CO 80290, USA
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
applications@coloradosos.gov; 303.894.2200
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
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
Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.
Description
Benefits
Department Information
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF STATE
This announcement will remain open until FILLED. You are encouraged to apply early.
The Colorado Secretary of State's office seeks applications from highly qualified candidates for the position of Legal & Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State. This position is Senior Executive Service (SES), a performance-based pay plan reserved for senior-level management.
SERVICE. INNOVATION. INTEGRITY. EXCELLENCE. INCLUSION.
Are you looking for a career that directly supports free and fair elections in Colorado, promotes American democracy, and allows you to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of State (CDOS) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on enhancing the lives of Coloradans.
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference through the work you do each day, consider joining the dedicated employees of the Colorado Department of State. Whether working from your home or collaborating onsite, your professional experience will be connected and meaningful. Our office offers an RTD Eco-pass (currently free of charge) and is conveniently located near Civic Center Station, RTD light-rail lines, and the 16th Street Mall. In addition to a great location and fulfilling, impactful work, we offer:
Employee wellness programs and an on-site fitness center
12 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off and sick leave
Access to a diverse array of technical, leadership and supervisory training opportunities
Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Paid life insurance
Automatic short-term (and optional long-term) disability coverage
Excellent work-life balance through flex schedules, flexplace/remote work, and ad-hoc arrangements
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
Our Culture & Environment:
Coloradans come from all walks of life and so do we.
Who We Are
Our mission is to make government easy and accessible for people to further democracy, support economic opportunity for all Coloradans, and demonstrate a standard of integrity and excellence. Our vision is to ensure all Coloradans have a voice in our future, help Coloradans and their businesses thrive, and be the best at what we do.
What We Believe
The State of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Colorado Department of State, we are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people. We highly encourage people from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.
Our agency website: Colorado Secretary of State's Office (https://www.coloradosos.gov/)
Description of Job
The Legal & Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State will:
Analyze the federal Administration's orders and document requests regarding elections and draft memos for senior management.
Serve as an advisor to the Secretary of State (Secretary) and other senior management concerning the Department's strategic objectives related to elections and core department functions.
Review civil inquiries from external parties, including the federal government and private parties, and use expertise to draft memos and brief senior management regarding the Department's appropriate responses.
Develop policies and manage all major document productions stemming from requests from salient external parties.
Liaise with the Attorney General's office to determine appropriate data and records to gather from the Department to respond to litigation.
The successful candidate will:
Establish credibility throughout the organization and with external stakeholders as an effective developer of solutions to identified challenges.
Provide policy recommendations to the Secretary and executive management team.
Support the mission and vision of the Department and provide recommendations that are aligned with the Department's strategic vision.
Foster a success-oriented, accountable environment within the Department.
Maintain confidentiality.
Be adaptable and resilient in navigating shifting priorities and evolving landscapes.
Demonstrate a commitment to public service, integrity, and ethical decision-making.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Preferred Qualifications and Competencies
The exceptional candidate will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Juris Doctor (JD) with admission to practice law in Coloradostrongly preferred.
Demonstrated expertise interpreting and applying federal and state laws, administrative rules, and executive orders.
Experience analyzing the fiscal, operational, and policy impacts of legislation or federal regulatory actions.
Proven ability to advise senior leaders on complex legal and policy issues.
Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts into practical recommendations.
Experience managing sensitive inquiries from elected officials or political stakeholders.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal divisions and external partners.
A track record of delivering accurate guidance in high-pressure situations.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Demonstrated initiative and independence in identifying emerging legal or policy issues and proposing solutions.
Competencies to include: Analysis · Judgment · Research · Strategy · Communication · Leadership · Collaboration · Influence · Decision-making · Adaptability · Integrity · Innovation · Problem-solving · Resilience · Political acumen
Conditions of Employment
Travel will be required to perform job-related duties.
This position will be required to successfully pass a background check.
This position requires varied working hours including nights and weekends.
Completing the Application
Please submit a cover letter, current resume and three professional references by e-mail to:applications@coloradosos.gov
Applications submitted without the required information will be considered incomplete and will NOT move forward in the selection process.
Early submission of application materials is encouraged. Screening of application materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Online applications will not be accepted.
Supplemental Information
Equal Pay for Equal Work
A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis.
ADAAA Accommodations and Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
The Department of State 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, Laura Darby, at Laura.S.Darby@coloradosos.gov or call (303) 894-2200 ext. 6113.
E-Verify
The Department of State participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you will be required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities at http://dhs.gov/e-verify.
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.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
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Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
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