Assistant Attorney General- Medicaid Fraud Unit

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 88,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Law is seeking an Assistant Attorney General for the Medicaid Fraud, Abuse & Neglect Unit. This role involves working on significant investigations, engaging with a multi-disciplinary team, and utilizing legal expertise to fight Medicaid fraud effectively, ensuring Coloradans receive the highest quality of care. The position offers competitive pay, professional growth opportunities, and the chance to make a tangible impact on the community.

Benefits

Employer-paid life insurance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility

Flexible work schedules

Access to on-site fitness center

Qualifications

• Candidates should ideally have experience in complex civil litigation.
• Familiarity with healthcare law, ethics related to medical practice, and public outreach is preferred.
• Experience in investigating financial crimes and working with vulnerable populations is valued.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and develop investigations from inception to disposition.
• Maintain communication with victims and stakeholders regarding case statuses.
• Assist in preparing cases for court, including reviewing affidavits and medical records.

Skills

Legal judgment

Writing skills

Analytical skills

Education

Licensed to practice law in Colorado

Job description

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

The Colorado Department of Law is seeking an Assistant Attorney General to join the civil practice of the Colorado Medicaid Fraud, Abuse & Neglect Unit (“MFANU”). The Office of the Attorney General offers the opportunity to be involved in challenging, interesting, and meaningful work in a collaborative environment committed to effective and innovative law enforcement. The Colorado Medicaid Fraud, Abuse & Neglect Unit (“MFANU”) investigates cases that directly impact the lives of Coloradans. The Unit also ensures that Coloradans have access to the highest quality of care from dedicated providers while continuing to take an aggressive approach to reducing Medicaid fraud and patient abuse across the state.

Application 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.

Visit our website to learn more: https://coag.gov/.

The Colorado Medicaid Fraud, Abuse & Neglect Unit (“MFANU”) maintains a strong commitment to ensuring that Coloradans have access to the highest quality of care from dedicated providers while continuing to take an aggressive approach to reducing Medicaid fraud and patient abuse across the state.

The dual missions of the MFANU are:

• To protect the state and federal funds dedicated to providing health care and medical services to Colorado Medicaid beneficiaries.

• To hold individuals accountable for the abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of clients in board and care facilities as well as those in facilities that accept Medicaid dollars.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

Our newest attorney will work with a multi-disciplinary team to evaluate and develop investigations from inception to their ultimate criminal or civil disposition. This work includes the analysis of complex factual and legal issues, the development of evidence through witness interviews, depositions and other discovery and the preparation of briefs, pleadings, motions and other legal documents. This practice also requires communication and cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as knowledge of state and federal law. The attorney will also develop and present programs for healthcare communities regarding the prevention, recognition and investigation of Medicaid fraud and patient abuse, neglect and exploitation.

The attorney will be required to research federal and state laws and regulations governing both the general provision of health care as well as the specific governance of the administration of the Colorado Medicaid program and will be called upon to suggest revisions to the same based upon gaps and deficiencies that may be discovered during their case work.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintain communication with victims and other stakeholders to keep them apprised of the status of COMFCU investigations and cases as well as preparing them for testimony;
• Assist in the preparation of cases for court;
• Review of affidavits for both arrest and search warrants;
• Review medical records both independently and with the assistance of medical personnel to discover individual events or patterns of neglect and abuse, or falsified records;
• Assist in the development of investigative techniques and case strategies to be utilized based upon the nature of the investigation;
• Appear in court for hearings and trials both in Colorado and nationwide;
• Participate in public education and recommend needed legislation and revision of regulations;
• Maintain a diverse caseload, including making appropriate plea offers or settlement negotiations, managing voluminous discovery, litigating motions and preparing cases for trial;
• Responsible for the initial evaluation and filing of cases and all tasks required on those cases until their ultimate resolution, including:
  • Assisting and providing advice to sworn officers and others during investigations
  • Communications and negotiations with opposing counsel
  • Drafting, filing and arguing pleadings and responses to the same in court
  • Conducting follow-up with outside agencies
• Meet with victims and witnesses to keep them apprised of the case status and to prepare them for providing testimony; and
• Represent Colorado’s interests in multistate litigation regarding Medicaid Fraud matters.

This recruitment may be used to fill more than one Assistant Attorney General position in the Medicaid Fraud, Abuse & Neglect Unit.

SALARY INFORMATION

The Department of Law uses a wage progression compensation model. Although a salary range is listed, salary will be setcommensuratewith 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 $88,197-$96,554/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 $102,099 - $136,558/annually.

Salary will be paid on a biweekly basis.

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 for this position should have outstanding legal judgment, excellent writing skills, and be able to effectively and professionally research, prepare, analyze, and understand complex information and legal issues. Further, this attorney will have the opportunity to work as a part of a multidisciplinary team, therefore experience in a collaborative environment is essential. In addition, ideal candidates will have experience in complex civil litigation, including depositions and discovery.

Given the nature of the work, we would love to see candidates with at least some experience in the following:

• Awareness and familiarity with ethical guidelines related to medical practice, including privacy protections; Health care law, rules, and policies;
• Investigation and prosecution of document intensive financial crimes and ability to conduct discovery in document intensive litigation;
• Conducting public outreach; and
• Working with individuals that have developmental or intellectual disabilities

Given the nature of the work, we would love to see candidates with at least some experience in the following:

• Awareness and familiarity with ethical guidelines related to medical practice, including privacy protections;
• Health care law, rules, and policies;
• Investigation and prosecution of document intensive financial crimes and ability to conduct discovery in document intensive litigation;
• Conducting public outreach; and
• Working with individuals that have developmental or intellectual disabilities

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.
• All members of the Tax and Public Finance Unit must file all necessary Colorado individual income tax returns and pay all tax obligations. Therefore, prior to appointment, applicants must undergo an evaluation of their tax records/accounts to ensure compliance with this policy.
• 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.

This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.

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 comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package including competitive medical and dental health plans, employer-paid life insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans withColorado PERA, 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 120on-time payments while employed full-time in public service, if they have certain kinds offederal 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 registrationdues
• 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 may redact information that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Applicants must provide 1) a cover letter detailing their interest in the positionand 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.

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 [e-mail].