First Assistant Attorney General - Employment Practices and Civil Rights

Department Information

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

The Colorado Department of Law, Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section is recruiting for a First Assistant Attorney General to lead the Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit. This is a unique leadership opportunity for an experienced attorney with an interest in employment and labor law and a passion for mentoring and professional development.


This position leads one of largest units in the office – a highly collaborative team of staff and attorneys engaged in a dynamic and fast-paced employment practice. This position works with executive leadership at various state agencies and institutions of higher education on unique labor, employment, and civil rights issues while building strong and rewarding client relationships through frequent client interaction and strategic counsel.


This role offers the opportunity to guide a talented team, shape legal strategy, and provide impactful counsel on issues affecting state agencies and institutions of higher education across Colorado.


The Office of the Attorney General offers the opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a fast-paced environment supported by leadership committed to providing exceptional general counsel and litigation service to its clients.

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.

Description of Job

The Employment Practices and Civil Rights Unit. The Unit focuses primarily on advising state government agencies and institutions of higher education regarding employment, labor and civil rights matters. The Unit:

• Provides advice and training to state agencies and institutions of higher education regarding the state personnel system, state and federal employment law, and compliance with the Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act and related Partnership Agreements. The Unit’s attorneys support clients in resolving labor and employment disputes prior to litigation. They also provide legal support to the State in collective bargaining.

• Represents state agencies in employment matters before the State Personnel Board in all phases of administrative hearing and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state and federal court. The Unit also handles appeals before the State Personnel Board, Colorado Court of Appeals and Supreme Court.

• Represents state agencies and institutions of higher education in labor disputes before the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Division of Labor Standards and Statistics and labor arbitrators in all phases of administrative and post-hearing litigation, and occasionally in state court.

• Provides advice to the Colorado Civil Rights Division on employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination matters and prosecutes employment, fair housing, and public accommodation discrimination complaints filed by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission in administrative court and occasionally in state court.

Unit Structure. The First Assistant Attorney General (“the First”) is responsible for leading a team of 20 attorneys, 4 paralegals, and 1 administrative assistant. The Unit is divided into three pods of 5-6 attorneys and 1-2 paralegals. Each team is led by a Second Assistant Attorney General (“the Second”) who is responsible for supervising and mentoring their team. The First directly supervises the three Seconds. The First reports to the Deputy Attorney General for the Civil Litigation and Employment Law Section and participates in management and leadership team meetings for the Section and the Office.

WHAT YOU WILL DO


As the First, you will have the opportunity to do the following:

Supervision & Administration

• Lead a collaborative team of attorneys and staff, including coaching and management of the performance evaluation and goal-setting process for each direct report. It also includes making hiring and salary recommendations, approval of leave requests, resolution of personnel matters, and other administrative tasks.
• Mentor and support the Seconds and their work as leaders.
• Report to the Civil Litigation and Employment Law 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 with personnel and administrative duties affecting the work of the Unit, Section, and the Office.

Unit Leadership

• Facilitate the work and operations of the Unit, promoting collaboration, engagement, integrity, and exceptional legal service.
• Provide assistance and support to the Seconds.
• As needed, manage outside counsel.
• Provide guidance, strategy advice, feedback, and general litigation assistance to attorneys and paralegals across the Unit.
• Work closely with the section and DOL staff to develop templates, systems, and processes designed to increase efficiencies, streamline litigation, enhance client services, and promote practice excellence.

Individual Support & Coaching

• Work with the Seconds to monitor case load/capacity of attorneys and paralegals.
• Support and coach the Seconds. Identify areas of opportunity for growth and development for attorneys and professional staff. Promote teamwork, collaboration, and improved performance.

Client Service

• Carry a meaningful and independent workload, with particular emphasis on coordination of employment and labor advice across state agencies and institutions of higher education.
• Collaborate with other Section leaders to ensure appropriate staffing, representation, and case management for state and federal employment litigation.
• Collaborate with Seconds to build client relationships and develop subject matter expertise across the Unit.
• Provide oversight of advice requests, labor and civil rights matters, and State Personnel Board litigation across the Unit’s pods. Ensure cross-pod collaboration to promote teamwork and consistency across the Unit.
• Monitor legislative and legal developments related to client representation.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective legal services to clients while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
  
  
  
  This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the Civil Litigation and Employment Law section at the Department of Law.
  
  
  
  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 is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law frontline 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.
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 must meet the following criteria:

• Admitted to the Colorado bar or 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 before the first day of employment.
• Experience either supervising, leading, or mentoring other legal staff, including attorneys and paralegals.
• Preferred legal experience includes litigation, general counsel, or other legal experience with substantial depth in administrative, labor, or employment law.

The ideal candidate will also have:

• Prior management or supervisory experience leading a diverse workforce and a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a leader.
• Knowledge of the state personnel system and/or labor law.
• Outstanding writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a variety and diversity of personalities.
• Ability to lead with empathy and be a big-picture problem solver.
• Commitment to serving the public interest.
• Ability to model strong leadership and professionalism skills.
• Strong organizational and client management skills.

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.



Conditions of Employment:

• 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 website.
• 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.
• This position offers flexible work arrangements. Flexible work arrangements may change at any time based on business needs.

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

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must establish an account with governmentjobs.com and complete the on-line applications including the Contact Information section. Applicants are not required to complete the Work Experience, Education, or Additional Information sections of the on-line application.

Required Application Materials: Applicant may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the position and their relevant experience; 2) a resume; and 3) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.

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 comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans with Colorado PERA, and vacation and sick leave earned each month, there are many other unique benefits that we offer, including:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: 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.

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 View email address on jobs.institutedata.com.


For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at View email address on jobs.institutedata.com.