Cannabis Assistant Attorney General Higher Education Jobs

Department Information

The Higher Education Unit is seeking a collaborative attorney to join this dynamic team. This role offers to opportunity to work in a diversity of subject areas both in litigation and general counsel advice work. If you love a challenge, have a passion for higher education, civil litigation, and advice work, and are committed to public service, this position is for you!
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 Higher Education Unit of the State Services Section in the Colorado Department of Law serves as general counsel and litigates on behalf of public postsecondary educational institutions of Colorado. Specifically, the Unit services as general counsel to Fort Lewis College, Adams State University, Colorado Mesa University, Western Colorado University, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Division of Private Occupational Schools, CollegeInvest, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, College Assist, the Institute for Cannabis Research, and History Colorado. The Unit also assists with the provision of legal services to the University of Colorado System, Colorado State University System, University of Northern Colorado, the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education System, Metropolitan State University of Denver, the Auraria Higher Education Center, Colorado Mountain College, and the Colorado School of Mines.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• 
  Serve as general counsel to institute boards, including advice on open meetings and rulemaking;
• Provide legal advice (both written and oral) and serve as litigation counsel on education issues related to tenure, due process, campus safety, student services, state and federal compliance with Title IX, the Clery Act, and the ADA.
• Handle privacy and disclosure issues related to subpoenas, CORA, and FERPA.
• Defend clients in litigation in state, federal and administrative courts at both the trial and appellate levels. Litigation ranges from administrative hearings on student or faculty discipline, to Title IX claims, and constitutional challenges.
• Coordinate occasional transactional work, including drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts related to service agreements, software, real estate, and construction.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions in the Department of Law.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified applicants must be 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 looking for a candidate that meets most of the following qualifications:

• 
  Committed to and values diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service.
• Excellent time management skills and can handle a large variety of legal work with minimal supervision.
• Strong general counsel background, including ability to be strategic partner on advice.
• Skilled in communication orally, in writing, and in legal analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and client relationship skills.
• Well-developed ability to work collaboratively.
• Demonstrates maturity and judgment when dealing with internal and external stakeholders and knows when to consult teammates and supervisors.
• Excels at learning new areas of law and takes initiative to learn quickly and dive into subject matter.
• Civil litigation experience is preferred, but not required.
• Background in higher education law, advising boards, constitutional law, or government representation is also desirable.

Conditions of employment:

• The final candidate for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation.
• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire,
  new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.
  Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and believes 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 Department of Law, 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 equally treated and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce that contributes to creative problem solving and delivers excellent work.
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: 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.
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] or call 720-508-6511.
For general questions regarding this position, or other attorney positions at our office contact our Legal Talent Director, Karen Masciulli, at [email protected].

Apply for this job with State of Colorado Job Opportunities

Apply now →

By clicking the "Apply now" button, you'll be leaving Fazow and going to an external job application page for this company. Please research all companies before applying. When applying for jobs, you should NOT have to pay to apply. Fazow accepts no liability or responsibility as a consequence of any reliance upon information on external sites or in jobs listed on fazow.com.

Department Information

The Higher Education Unit is seeking a collaborative attorney to enjoy their dynamic team. This role offers the opportunity to work in a diverse subject area where you will be constantly learning. If you love a challenge, enjoy working with interesting clients, civil litigation, serving in a general counsel role, and want to work with a great team to help better the public postsecondary educational institutions of Colorado – this position is for you!
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

WHAT YOU WILL DO
The Higher Education Unit of the State Services Section in the Colorado Department of Law serves as general counsel to four public postsecondary institutions of higher education: Fort Lewis College, Colorado Mesa University, Adams State University, and Western Colorado University, and coordinates and assists with the provision of legal services to the University of Colorado System, Colorado State University System, University of Northern Colorado, the State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education System, Metropolitan State University of Denver, the Auraria Higher Education Center, Colorado Mountain College, and the Colorado School of Mines. The Unit also serves as general counsel to the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Division of Private Occupational Schools, as well as their respective boards, CollegeInvest, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, College Assist, the Institute for Cannabis Research, and History Colorado.
The Unit provides advice to clients on a wide variety of issues, including: board representation, open meetings and open records, rulemaking, drafting formal and informal opinions on education issues, tenure, due process, intellectual property, state and federal compliance including the Clery Act, ADA, FERPA, and Title IX, and policy drafting. The Unit handles litigation in state, federal, and administrative courts at both the trial and appellate court levels. The Unit’s litigation ranges from administrative hearings on student or faculty discipline to significant constitutional challenges, as well as claims under Title IX. The Unit occasionally handles some transactional work, including contract drafting, review, and negotiation in a variety of settings, from simple service agreements to software contracts, real estate transactions, and construction contracts. The attorney’s work will include a mixture of litigation, general legal advice (both oral and written), and may include some transactional support. The attorney will co-counsel various civil litigation cases and will also provide advice on higher education matters, represent college governing boards, draft formal and information opinions on public postsecondary education issues, and draft and interpret rules and policies. The legal advice often covers unique and complex topics including student services, faculty issues, regulatory compliance, campus safety, open meetings and open records issues, and timely topics such as Title IX and campus response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This announcement may be used to fill multiple attorney positions in the Department of Law.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Qualified applicants must be 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.
Candidates for this position must have strong writing skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills with clients and staff, and be committed to working collaboratively with various internal and external stakeholders. The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team are essential. Civil litigation experience is preferred, but not required. A background in higher education law, constitutional law, advising boards, or government representation is desirable.
Conditions of employment:

• The final candidate for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation.
• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire,
  new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.
  Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer and believes 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 Department of Law, 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 equally treated and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce that contributes to creative problem solving and delivers excellent work.
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: 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 your interest in the position and if applicable, your specific experience with contract, transactional and financial agreements drafting; 2) a resume; 3) a writing sample, and 4) three professional references. Use the "Attachments" feature of the online application to add documents.
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] or call
720-508-6511.
For general questions regarding this position, or other attorney positions at our office contact our Legal Talent Director, Karen Masciulli, at [email protected].

Apply for this job with State of Colorado Job Opportunities

Apply now →

By clicking the "Apply now" button, you'll be leaving Fazow and going to an external job application page for this company. Please research all companies before applying. When applying for jobs, you should NOT have to pay to apply. Fazow accepts no liability or responsibility as a consequence of any reliance upon information on external sites or in jobs listed on fazow.com.

Department Information

Applications for this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
The State Services Section is seeking a First Assistant Attorney General to lead our Higher Education Unit. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about education, public service, and leadership. Our Unit provides legal services to the University of Colorado System, Colorado State University System, University of Northern Colorado, State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education System, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Auraria Higher Education Center, Colorado Mountain College, and Colorado School of Mines. We are looking for someone who is genuinely excited to manage and coach this team of dynamic and smart lawyers and who will embrace leading the team in this challenging, and often novel, area of law.
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 Higher Education Unit serves as general counsel to the Department of Higher Education, Division of Private Occupational Schools, CollegeInvest, College Assist, Institute for Cannabis Research, History Colorado, and four public institutions of higher education: Fort Lewis College, Colorado Mesa University, Adams State University, and Western State Colorado University. The Unit provides general advice to clients on a wide variety of issues, including: board representation, open meetings and open records, drafting formal and informal opinions on public postsecondary education issues, tenure, due process, intellectual property, state and federal compliance including Clery Act, ADA and Rehab Act, FERPA, Title IX, Title VII, Free Expression, guns on campus, and Due Process, as well as policy drafting. The Unit handles litigation in state, federal, and administrative courts. The Unit also handles transactional work, including contract drafting, review, and negotiation in a variety of settings, from simple service agreements to software contracts, real estate transactions, and construction contracts.
The First Assistant Attorney General is responsible for leading a team of attorneys, paralegals, and administrative assistants consistent with the values of the Department of Law. The First will promote collaboration, engagement, integrity, and exceptional legal service.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
The First Assistant Attorney General is one of the most important roles in our office. In this role, you will guide the Unit in delivering high- quality, cost-effective legal services to clients, and supervises employees while also carrying an independent workload. Managing this team involves coordinating litigation of major cases; hiring staff and attorneys, conducting quarterly performance meetings and evaluations, handling discipline and HR issues; maintaining and developing good relationships with clients; coordinating workflow; coordinating and/or supervising the work of Special Assistant Attorneys General; and drafting reports for the Department of Law.
You will also advise senior leadership on pending issues of public interest and importance and must identify pressing issues as they arise. In addition to handling litigation, you will review higher education-related bills during the legislative session and provides oral and written legal advice on client questions. This work includes writing formal and informal opinions, reviewing and drafting client policies and procedures, and attending and providing advice at meetings of college governing boards. The First Assistant serves as a frontline leader and contributes to the overall leadership of the Department of Law.
You will also be responsible for inspiring, coaching, leading, and supporting your team of professionals, drawing out the best from your team and pushing them to fulfill the Department of Law’s mission of protecting the rule of law and ensuring justice for all Coloradoans.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The First Assistant Attorney General is part of the Office of the Attorney General/Department of Law leadership team. As such, the strongest candidates will demonstrate excellence in the following competencies.
Client Service, Interpersonal Skills, and Emotional Intelligence– Demonstrates and models self- awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and sensitivity in working with members of the public, colleagues, and staff.
Communication & Listening – Inspires confidence through active listening and effective communication with the public, 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 desires of the public, leadership, colleagues, and staff with the broader interest of the enterprise.
Applicants for the First Assistant Attorney General position 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
• Demonstrated experience with supervising and coaching lawyers and legal professionals
• Outstanding writing and analytical skills

Our ideal candidates will have practiced law for a minimum of seven years, and demonstrate progressively more challenging legal experience, including team, project, or case management responsibilities and the resolution of complex legal issues. A background in higher education law, advising complex organizations, governing boards, litigation, and/or government representation is desirable. Demonstrated ability and/or commitment to supporting a diverse team of dedicated public servants is highly desirable.
Conditions of Employment:

• The final candidates for employment must successfully pass a thorough criminal background investigation.
• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire,
  new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.
  Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

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 Department of Law, 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 equally treated and empowered to do their best work; and promote growth and innovation through a diverse workforce that contributes to creative problem solving and delivers excellent work.
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: 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; 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, [email protected] or
720-508-6511.
If you have any questions regarding this position or other attorney opportunities at our office, please contact our Legal Talent Director, Karen Masciulli at [email protected].

Apply for this job with State of Colorado Job Opportunities

Apply now →

By clicking the "Apply now" button, you'll be leaving Fazow and going to an external job application page for this company. Please research all companies before applying. When applying for jobs, you should NOT have to pay to apply. Fazow accepts no liability or responsibility as a consequence of any reliance upon information on external sites or in jobs listed on fazow.com.