Second Assistant Attorney General - Air Quality Unit
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Second Assistant Attorney General - Air Quality Unit
Salary
$130,307.00 - $174,268.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
LAA-09176-04/26
Department
Department of Law
Division
Natural Resources & Environment
Opening Date
04/30/2026
Closing Date
5/18/2026 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 Mercedes Chansisourath at mercedes.chansisourath@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 Margee Fawley at legaltalentdirector@coag.gov.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Natural Resources and Environment Section has a unique opportunity for a Second Assistant Attorney General in the Air Quality Unit. The Second Assistant Attorney General will work closely with the Unit's First Assistant Attorney General to manage the workflow for the Unit and implement processes aimed at ensuring high quality and consistent work product and client services. The Second will provide leadership and support for a team of attorneys and paralegals. This individual will also serve as a primary point of contact for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Air Quality and Environmental Justice programs for all legal services. This is a fantastic leadership opportunity for someone who is passionate about environmental law and air quality regulation, and in developing management skills.
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.
Visit our website to learn more:https://coag.gov/.
Description of Job
The Air Quality Unit serves the Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC), Air Pollution Control Division (APCD), Clean Fleet Enterprise, and multiple Environmental Justice clients, including the Office of Environmental Justice and the Environmental Justice Advisory Board. We provide general counsel to our clients on all program areas including rulemaking proceedings, board representation, legislative support, and federal regulatory and legal matters. Were present our clients in complex enforcement matters involving settlement negotiations, administrative and civil litigation, and in defensive litigation in various state and federal jurisdictions. We also represent the clients in select third party litigation through intervention, amicus curiae briefing, and subpoena defense.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Second Assistant Attorney General for the Air Team will work closely with the Unit's First Assistant Attorney General, managing administrative functions, supervising a team of attorneys and paralegals, providing leadership and coaching, and managing the Unit's workflow to ensure high quality work product and client services.
Duties include:
Manage attorney workload pertaining to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment air issues, including general counsel support, litigation, and rulemakings.
Provide guidance, support, strategy advice, feedback, and general assistance to attorneys, paralegals, and administrative assistants.
Track air cases and manage their progression, ensuring excellent work quality and that all deadlines are met.
Provide guidance for and oversight of client advice in air matters.
Maintain effective communication between section and office leadership and the Air Quality Unit.
Manage longer-term projects and system improvements for the Unit.
Provide formal supervision of attorneys and paralegals including formal performance management, leave approval, staffing, and support for management of the hiring process.
Support growth and development of attorneys and paralegals, including identifying opportunities for exposure to a variety of work to enhance job satisfaction.
Support the Office's and the clients' engagement in federal administrative and judicial proceedings to ensure that Colorado's interests are represented and protected.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General positions in the Natural Resources and Environment unit.
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 Second Assistant Attorney General, candidates must have a minimum of five years of experience in environmental law with a focus on air quality, including experience with permitting, regulatory compliance, enforcement actions, and/or litigation under laws such as the Clean Air Act. If the position is filled at the level of Second Assistant Attorney General, the pay range will be $ 130,307 to $174,286 /year.
Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
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) .
We are particularly interested in candidates who have the following skills and attributes:
Experience in environmental regulatory enforcement, rulemakings, and or compliance with state or federal air quality laws, including the Clean Air Act.
A minimum of five years of litigation experience, including leading cases through pretrial proceedings and discovery and/or through presenting briefing and argument in cases involving review of an agency's administrative action.
Demonstrated excellence in legal practice and ability to handle the most complex matters.
Passionate and enthusiastic about environmental law and air quality regulation.
Interest in learning and working to address the unique impacts of climate change and air pollution on disproportionately impacted, underserved, and marginalized communities.
Ability to model strong leadership and professionalism skills.
Previous experience providing training and mentorship to others.
Strong organizational and client management skills.
Conditions of Employment:
Candidates must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.
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.coloradolegalregulation.com/) website.
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.
This position requires infrequent travel within the State.
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
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 competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, 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.
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) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.
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, julie.christopher@coag.govor 720-508-6511.
If you have any questions regarding this position or other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director, Margee Fawley atlegaltalentdirector (legaltalentdirector@coag.gov) @coag.gov.
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. 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 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
Identify a leader you admire and describe the specific qualities, decisions, or behaviors that make them effective. How have those influenced your own work or leadership style?
04
Which air quality or environmental justice issue are you most passionate about, and why?
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
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Website
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