Assistant City Attorney III - (Climate Initiatives and Public Utilities Commission)

It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

November 26, 2026

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

122,428.80 - 183,643.20

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non Union (30+ Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

We are seeking an energetic attorney to serve as in-house counsel advising the Climate Initiatives Department including Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) litigation. The City of Boulder’s Climate Initiatives Department drives the City’s efforts to slow climate change and build a more resilient community for all. The work focuses on three action areas: Energy Systems, Circular Economy, and Nature-Based Climate Solutions.

The best candidate is one with an interest and experience in general counsel advising, including contracts, prospective advising on policy, ordinance drafting, and conducting hearings before the PUC with a background in municipal law, litigation, or complex regulatory hearings, and climate initiatives.

This attorney will advise the Climate Initiatives Department concerning important cutting-edge Colorado environmental issues, renewable solar and wind energy, electric vehicle infrastructure, grid modernization, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A significant focus of this work includes complex regulatory proceedings for the City Attorney's Office in collaboration with the Climate Initiatives Department policy staff related to climate and clean energy before the PUC. Duties will include the full range of litigation tasks, including factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, working with experts, and oral advocacy before the PUC.

The position offers meaningful and challenging work on complex legal and regulatory issues involving utility rates, energy policy, affordability and reliability, environmental justice, climate change, and Colorado’s energy transition and decarbonization goals.

The interviews will be in December and the position begins in January.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES                 

• Provides advanced legal advice and solutions to City departments, department heads, administrative staff, and boards and commissions on complex, sensitive or high-risk legal matters.   

• Attends evening meetings and represents city in public forums.   

• Conducts complex and specialized legal research and preparing formal legal opinions. 

• Reviews legal research and draft opinions prepared by less experienced attorneys as assigned. 

• Drafts, reviews, and provides strategic guidance on complex ordinances and resolutions. 

• Negotiates, reviews, and independently prepares high impact agreements and contracts advising City on legal risk, liability exposure, and strategic considerations. 

• Provides legal leadership and mentorship by offering guidance, technical assistance, and subject-matter expertise to Assistant Attorney I and II positions without exercising formal supervisory authority. 

• Represents the City in administrative and/or judicial hearings. 

• Performs other duties and legal services as assigned by the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney. 

• Performs related work to meet the needs of the city. 

• Knows and follows City and department policies.   

• Reinforces and expand legal and subject matter expertise through professional training and development.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex legal documents. 

• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints; make oral presentations to City departments, work groups, boards and commissions, and City Council.

• Ability to interact with members of the public or City employees when explanatory or interpretive information is exchanged, gathered, or presented.  

• Ability to exercise judgment in selecting the most pertinent guidelines in order to interpret precedents, adapt standard practices to differing situations, and recommend alternative actions in unprecedented situations.  

• Ability to determine time, place, and sequence of actions to be taken to meet deadline requirements.  

• Ability to independently adapt, interpret, and apply written guidelines, precedents and standardized work practices to a variety of situations.

• Ability to communicate effectively.

• Ability to prepare professional, concise, and grammatically correct written documents.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, representatives of public or private entities, policy-making bodies, and members of the public.

• Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and decision-making in solving problems and meeting organizational objectives.

• Knowledge of or quickly learn applicable law, court procedures and rules of evidence sufficient to assist in the litigation of cases in court and represent the City in administrative hearings.

• Knowledge of analysis and research techniques sufficient to gather information, secure and analyze desired information, and formulate logical recommendations.

• Knowledge of or quickly learn policy, ordinances and City Charter requirements sufficient to advise on matters that encompass a wide variety of municipal law issues.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of general law sufficient to collaborate with other attorneys.

• Must successfully pass a background check before first day of work and maintain acceptable screening.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge and understanding of legal issues relating to municipal law.

• Work or educational experience in state or local government and demonstrated interest in public service. 

• Work experience in advising boards or commissions.

• Eight (8) years of experience as an attorney.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• J.D. from an accredited law school.  

• Licensed attorney in the state of Colorado or in the process of earning a license to practice in Colorado.  

• At least five (5) years of experience as an attorney.

• Must hold and maintain a valid drivers' license.

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received:  Deputy City Attorney  

Supervision Exercised:  None 

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS    

• Physical and mental effort: Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities that permits the employee to communicate effectively on the telephone and in person. Sufficient vision or other powers of observation that permits the employee to review, evaluate and prepare a variety of written documents and materials. Sufficient manual dexterity that permits the employee to operate computer equipment and other office equipment. Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, which permits the employee to work in an office setting.

• Work environment: Work may include extended periods of time viewing a computer video monitor and/or operating a keyboard. Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities and conditions. Ability and willingness to attend evening and/or weekend meetings.  

• Machines and equipment used: Office equipment.

As part of the City of Boulder’s commitment to a future with equitable access to health, prosperity, and fulfillment that is not limited by a person’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, ability, religion, sexuality, or socioeconomic status, it is the city’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all individuals. The city does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or policy.