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Assistant Attorney General (K-12 Education)

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Assistant Attorney General (K-12 Education)

Salary

$85,795.00 - $132,901.00 Annually

Location

Denver, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

LAA-09829-05/2025

Department

Department of Law

Opening Date

05/21/2025

Closing Date

6/4/2025 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: [email protected]

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 K-12 Education Unit is seeking an attorney to join our dynamic and collaborative legal team. The Unit offers the opportunity to practice in a challenging area of law that frequently presents novel legal questions of statewide impact. Our lawyers advise and represent the Colorado Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and four independent boards/agencies (the Charter School Institute, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Facility Schools Board, and the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board). Our team has a diverse body of work – from advising top state officials on education law issues to defending the constitutionality of education law statutes to participating in hearings in the Office of Administrative Courts to revoke licensure due to educator misconduct.

Applications 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

This attorney will work in the K-12 Education Unit in the State Services Section and will be part of our team responsible for advice and representation for the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado State Board of Education, the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Colorado Charter School Institute, the Colorado Facility Schools Board, and the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Board (BEST Program). The work is a combination of general counsel work and litigation. Research, analysis, and advice will cover all matters jurisdictional to the State Board of Education and the Colorado Department of Education, including rulemaking related to Title 22 of the C.R.S., school district accreditation and accountability, special education, charter school contracts and appeals, review of legislation related to state education statutes, and compliance with federal education mandates. Most litigation is in the form of administrative hearings at the Office of Administrative Courts in enforcement actions against educator licenses, but the unit is responsible from time-to- time for high-profile litigation involving challenges to Colorado education statutes. Lawyers in the unit also advise boards on statutes including the Colorado Open Records Act, Open Meetings Law, and various ethics and conflict-of-interest requirements.

The particular role we are filling will include acting as general counsel to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and supporting the school and the Colorado Department of Education with special education matters.

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). The salary range for an AAG I is $85,795-$95,437/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney will be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $99,318 - $132,901/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Qualified applicants mustbe licensed to practice law in Colorado or be clearly eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar. Candidates eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar will be required to submit proof of their completed application before the first day of employment.

We are interested in candidates who have experience with complex legal issues, excellent client service skills and emotional intelligence, a strong commitment to a collaborative and inclusive team culture, and who are independent workers who demonstrate strong judgment. Given that this attorney will interact with board members and department leaders, candidates should be excellent communicators and be able to confidentially engage with clients and colleagues. Candidates should feel comfortable multitasking and managing their own heavy caseload. Strong writing skills are also a must.

Prior education law or public sector practice is a plus, but not required. Any experience with special education would be highly valuable. A demonstrated commitment to public service is required.

THIS POSITION REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE WRITING SAMPLE. PLEASE REVIEW THE "HOW TO APPLY" SECTION OF THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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:

+ Applicants 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.coloradosupremecourt.com/index.asp) website.

+ The K-12 Education Unit currently operates on a hybrid schedule, with most work performed remotely. New employees are expected to work in the office one day per week. Please note that this schedule is subject to change based on business needs.

+ 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 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) at least one independent writing sample, and 4) contact information for 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 [email protected]. For general information regarding this position and other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director at [email protected].

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 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

Please share your particular interest in education law.

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

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Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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