What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Attorney General - Pattern or Practice position at State of Colorado Job Opportunities?
Department Information
Find a rewarding career making a difference: Join the Office of the Attorney General!
The Office of the Attorney General is seeking an attorney to initiate and lead investigations into potential patterns or practices of deprivations of constitutional and statutory rights by government agencies, as well as monitor compliance with ongoing consent decrees. We are looking for an attorney who wants to lead civil rights investigations and who can effectively communicate with attorneys, law enforcement personnel, and members of the community. This is a great opportunity to be part of the Attorney General’s efforts ensure Coloradans’ rights are protected.
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.
Description of Job
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Pattern or Practice attorney will conduct investigations to determine whether government agencies have engaged in patterns or practices that deprive persons of the rights protected by state or federal laws. This may include looking at concerns of excessive force, biased policing, discrimination, victim’s rights, and other statutory and constitutional rights. In addition, this attorney will monitor compliance with consent decrees, often working with independent monitors.
The attorney in this role will research federal and state law and conduct thorough and independent investigations that could bring to light patterns or practices of rights deprivations by government agencies. The attorney will then evaluate whether unlawful patterns or practices exist and, if so, determine the source of the pattern or practice and work with the agency to correct those issues through a consent decree, other remedies to eliminate the violations of law, or, sometimes, file suit against the agency to seek an injunction correcting the violation.
This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Civil Rights 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.
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 may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). The AAG II salary range is $99,318-$132,901/annually.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified 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 Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel.
While we know this is a unique skillset, we are looking for candidates that have some, or most, of the following skills and attributes:
- Experience with law enforcement or litigation related to civil rights or law enforcement
- Experience conducting, supervising, or leading investigations or complex civil litigation
- An understanding of law enforcement culture or practices
- Demonstrated team leadership and project management skills
- Ability to foster an atmosphere of independence and impartiality of investigations
- Excellent analytical, research, and writing skills and a keen attention to detail
- A creative and collaborative approach to delivering meaningful solutions to problems discovered during investigations
- Experience with negotiating complex matters
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- A broad understanding of the issues related to public safety, effective policing, and community engagement
- Previous experience in and understanding investigatory work and should possess self-starter skills. The attorney in this role will strike the right balance of representing the Attorney General and investigating governmental entities. Must demonstrate careful judgment when dealing with potential civil rights violations by government entities.
- Experience with criminal or compliance cases, determining investigation strategy, assembling evidence for case development and prosecution through evidentiary hearings and trial
- Knowledge and experience investigating civil rights, consumer fraud, or financial investigations
- Experience working with underrepresented or marginalized communities
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.
- This position offers flexible work arrangements. Newer employees are expected to work in the office 2 or 3 days per week.
- 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.
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.
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
- 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.
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.
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. 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.
Salary : $85,795 - $95,437
