Assistant Attorney General - Contracts & Procurement.

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Colorado Attorney General invites applications for a transactional attorney in the Contracts and Procurement Unit. You will draft and review contracts, advise state agencies on procurement matters, and support real estate transactions across Colorado.

Ideal candidates will be admitted to the Colorado Bar, possess strong writing and negotiation skills, and have experience with contracts, real estate, and public finance topics.

Qualifications

• Admitted to the Colorado Bar or eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar.
• Strong writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Experience drafting contracts and transactional/financial agreements.
• Well-versed in real estate law; public finance experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department on state contracts and review contracts for compliance.
• Draft, negotiate, and finalize contract documents and real estate matters.
• Provide legal opinions and guidance to state clients; coordinate with OSC and procurement.
• Support state-wide contracting issues, rulemaking, and dispute resolution.
• Educate and train client agencies on procurement and contracting processes.

Skills

Strong writing skills

Contract drafting

Negotiation

Interpersonal communication

Job description

Department Information

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.

Department Information

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.

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

The Contracts and Procurement team has an exciting opportunity for an attorney to join their team! This position has an impact across all of Colorado and works with agencies within the executive branch, higher education institutions, elected officials and the Judicial Department on a wide range of transactional matters, including real estate matters such as the acquisition and disposition of land and buildings, and the leasing of program space. The person in this position will also have the opportunity to regularly interact with and provide advice to stakeholders. If you are interested in transactional work and in working on a collaborative team and providing general counsel on a broad range of subject matters, 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. Learn more about the Colorado Attorney General's Office here .

Description Of Job

The Contracts and Procurement Unit of the State Services Section consists of several attorneys, and a legal assistant. We work as a team; however, each attorney has a diverse case load and has significant independent responsibilities. Our Unit advises and represents all Colorado state agencies, higher education institutions, elected officials and the Judicial Department on transactional matters including: state procurement matters; requests for proposals; IT vendor agreements (including cloud based contracts); capital construction; real property transactions (including leases and lease purchase agreements); agreements relating to banking, credit cards and debt management; public finance agreements (including bonds, certificates of participation, public loans and public private partnerships); complex vendor agreements; revenue generating agreements (e.g. licenses and grants); intergovernmental agreements and memoranda of understanding (including with local airports and the federal government); energy loan agreements; and fee agreements with special assistant attorneys general. We also provide general counsel advice on procurement and contract matters, negotiate and draft contracts, and assist clients with contract disputes.

Our Unit also acts as general counsel for the Office of the State Controller ("OSC") and works closely with the OSC on state-wide contracting and procurement issues and rulemaking. Our Unit also acts as general counsel to the Public Employees' Retirement Association of Colorado on all rulemaking matters. We work closely with the State Treasurer on financial matters, specifically public finance matters. Additionally, we are involved in state contract drafting, negotiating, contract review, resolving contract disputes, and terminating contracts. Periodically, we defend State agencies regarding procurement protests. We also serve as an educational and training resource for the Department of Law and its client agencies, and monitor legislation.

What You Will Do

This attorney will have the opportunity to represent the DOL on all state contracts, and will do significant drafting and contract review to comply with State Fiscal Rules, State Controller Policies, State Procurement Code and State Procurement Rules. This attorney will also be heavily involved in real estate transactions, will assist state clients when contract disputes arise, and will regularly fine-tune the contract improvement process - which includes working with the OSC and procurement office, drafting state templates, ensuring adequate contractual protections for the state and state agencies on a daily basis, and working with vendors to ensure the state’s best interests and needs are met. The attorney will also provide legal opinions for our clients on specific agency contracts and programs; work closely with the Treasurer’s office on financial transactions; assist other sections in the Department of Law, as necessary; and serve as an educational and training resource for client agencies.

Additional Duties Include

• Draft, negotiate, and finalize documents to acquire or dispose of land and buildings.
• Review and approve all due diligence for real estate transactions.
• Review and approve all closing documents.
• Draft, negotiate, and approve State leases and easements.
• Advise and assist in arranging financing of capital construction projects, including bond and tax-exempt financing, public offerings, and private placements.
• Review State of Colorado contracts in accordance with State Controller Fiscal Rules.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple attorney positions within the State Services section at Department of Law.

Salary note:

The Department of Law uses an attorney 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 $89,964-$119,047/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 $102,099 - $136,558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

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 .

Candidates for this position must have strong writing skills and excellent interpersonal and communication skills with clients and staff. The ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team is essential. Ideal candidates will have experience drafting contracts and transactional and financial agreements. We are also looking for an attorney who is well-versed in real estate law and who can communicate professionally with stakeholders at all levels. Although not required, a strong background and interest in public finance and/or specific experience with government contracts or transactions, are preferred.

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.