Assistant Attorney General - Natural Resources

State of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 84,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Job Stability

Career Growth

Meaningful Work

Supportive Work Environment

Job summary

State of Utah seeks an attorney for the Office of the Attorney General, Natural Resources Division, to advise on sovereign lands, conservation easements, and related state and federal issues. Requires Utah State Bar membership and admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. Location: Salt Lake City.

Applicants should have excellent written and oral advocacy, teamwork skills, and experience in natural resources law. Travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate required.
• Active Utah State Bar membership required.
• Background check will be completed.
• Must be willing to travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and facilitates decisions.
• Determines discovery needs and participates in strategy sessions.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, and legal briefs.
• Responds to inquiries; explains policy and procedures and facilitates resolutions.
• Represents the State in lawsuits, grievances, and other matters.
• Prepares litigation documents and analyses grounded in facts and law.
• Conducts conferences, negotiates settlements, and may appear in court.
• Represents agency at hearings and could travel to various court locations.

Skills

Legal research

Oral advocacy

Team collaboration

Legal writing

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

FT / PT Status – Full-Time

Benefits Eligibility – This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

Salary – $61.08 - $89.24 Hourly Wage

Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

Key Responsibilities

The Office of the Attorney General, Natural Resources Division, has an immediate opening for an attorney to represent the Department of Natural Resources. The position involves advising the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands on a wide variety of state and federal legal issues related to management of sovereign lands, the administration and enforcement of conservation easements, and any other issues affecting the sovereign lands and forestry programs. This position requires membership in the Utah State Bar and qualification for admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah. The applicant should have excellent written and oral advocacy skills, the ability to communicate ideas and information clearly and concisely, and the ability to work with others as part of a team. Preference for applicants with at least three years of legal experience related to natural resources and a working knowledge/understanding of state and federal laws pertaining to land management and forestry, including CERCLA, NFMA, the Utah Administrative Procedures Act, and other relevant statutes. Ideal candidates will have experience with sovereign/submerged lands, the public trust doctrine, contract/permit review and drafting, minerals royalties/leasing, and conservation easements. The position is located in Salt Lake City.

Responsibilities

• Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
• Provides consultation, makes recommendations, gives appropriate advice, and/or facilitates decisions.
• Determines needs in discovery, and/or completes discovery; participates in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, legal briefs and/or other written materials.
• Receives, researches and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates a resolution.
• Represents the State or the employing agency in lawsuits, grievances, complaints, and other matters.
• Prepares litigation documents and legal work product, developing clear and concise analyses and recommendations grounded in case facts, applicable law, and state and federal regulatory standards.
• Conducts conferences with defendants and/or attorneys, negotiates settlements, and appears in court.
• Conducts, or represents agency at, formal or informal hearings.
• May be required to travel to various court locations and stay overnight.

Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Active membership in the Utah State Bar.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Must be able to travel as required.

About The Role

Location –
1594 West North Temple
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84116
United States

Background Check Required – You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required – No

Schedule Code – AG - Employees at the Attorney General's Office

Why You Should Join Our Team

In Utah, we believe hard work is important, but balance is essential. Finding work/life balance is a vital element to our culture. To find out more about WHY Utah ,.

Benefits

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. For accommodations, please contact [phone].