Assistant Attorney General - Federal & Interstate Water Unit

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The Natural Resources and Environment Section, Federal & Interstate Water Unit is seeking an experienced attorney to join the hardworking and collaborative team that represents the Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, Division of Water Resources (the State Engineer's Office), Compact Commissioners, and the State of Colorado. This attorney will help protect Colorado's significant rights and interests in its interstate waters by representing the State of Colorado in federal and interstate water matters in Colorado’s major interstate river basins.

The ideal candidate will have experience with Colorado water law, western water law, federal environmental law, federal regulatory law, and have a genuine desire to work on challenging and important matters in a public service role.

Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted on a rolling basis. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

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.

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The Federal & Interstate Water Unit within the Natural Resources Section of the Office of the Attorney General seeks an Assistant Attorney General to assist in research, drafting, litigation, and negotiations involving compact compliance, environmental permitting, and related matters.

In this role, you will represent the Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), Division of Water Resources (the State Engineer's Office), Compact Commissioners, and the State of Colorado in state and federal court, as well as in negotiations with other states, the federal government, and Indian Tribes. The purpose of that work is largely to protect and honor Colorado's rights and obligations under interstate water compacts, and to uphold the State's sovereign interests over water rights administration and distribution within its borders.

This position will assist other attorneys within the unit in managing the legal aspects of the State's interstate water compacts. The position will also assist those attorneys and the clients in navigating issues of federal reserved water rights, federal environmental programs, and state water rights administration within Colorado. The position will include legal and legislative research, brief and memo drafting, and discovery management.

In addition to representing the State of Colorado in litigation and negotiations with other states, the position will require the candidate to interact with water users, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and Indian Tribes. Some travel may be required.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Department of Law.

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). Effective July 1, 2025, the salary range for an AAG I is $88,197-$117,964/annually.

Attorneys with more than 3 years of experience practicing as an attorney may be hired as an Assistant Attorney General II (AAG II). Effective July 1, 2025, the AAG II salary range is $102,099 - $136,558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

Applicants must:

• Be admitted to the Colorado bar or…