Closing Date: 17th July, 2026
Description:
Department Information:Items to note:
This position is only open to Colorado state residents.
This posting may fill more than one vacancy.
This is a term-limited position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2027 contingent upon funding.
This position is eligible for full benefits.
Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Join us and find meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents, helping to make Colorado a great place to live and work in. Please watch the short video below for tips on applying. Apply for a job with the State of Colorado (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUwZiY6G24U&feature=youtu.be)
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The Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is the foundation for dependable state government, leading with responsiveness, integrity, and teamwork. We provide services to other government agencies and all Coloradans by taking bold initiative toward a government with engaged employees, innovative solutions, and constructive partnerships.
DPA provides a wide range of programs and services, from custodial & maintenance to financial and human resources support, which assist other state agencies in fulfilling their missions. At DPA, there are countless opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that supports and serves the people of Colorado. The wide variety of positions in DPA allow individuals to learn about state operations and provide for long-term career growth.
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado; it's a chance to combine your expertise with public service. Our professionals strive to support state government and the residents of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more.
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Why We Want You:
We want your expertise, positive energy, drive to succeed, and love of this great state as we work to elevate the expectations Coloradans have of their government.
What You'll Get From Us:
In return for the skilled work you do, DPA provides a competitive compensation and benefits package to accompany employment opportunities. Please see the Benefits Overview video (https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits) for details on the benefits offered to employees.
Description of Job:
This is a term-limited position with an anticipated end date of June 30, 2027 contingent upon funding. This position is eligible for full benefits.
Provides highly complex legal research, writing, editing and other assistance to administrative law judges in the Office of Administrative Courts which includes preparing draft decisions in accordance with Colorado law and applicable regulations.
A summary of the duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:
Draft Decisions
Reviews the hearing record including exhibits, pleadings, and audio recordings then prepares grammatically and technically correct draft decisions on behalf of administrative law judges. Drafts must clearly and concisely state the issues presented, the relevant facts as supported by the evidence, the applicable legal authority, and the resolution of each issue. As appropriate, a staff attorney makes recommendations to the administrative law judges to ensure an accurate, legally sufficient decision is issued. If necessary, drafts alternative resolutions and provides a recommendation as to which resolution is most appropriate and why.
Consultation
Consults with and advises administrative law judges regarding complex or novel legal issues.
Docket Preparation
Review files to determine if cases are ready for hearing, advise administrative law judges of potential legal or procedural issues in the case.
Team Assistance
Assists staff and paralegals as needed.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights:
A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.
This position is advertised in line with the Governor's executive order (Executive Order 2022 015 (Download PDF reader)) focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training or past experiences.
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
H5E1XX Legal Assistant I (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-hr-professionals/job-classifications/class-description-and-minimum-qualifications-for-h5e)
Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
Paralegal Certificate obtained through either an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program or an accredited institution.
Substitutions:
The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:
Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position
Excellent written communication skills
A Juris Doctor from a law school accredited by the ABA
Conditions of Employment:
A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
Comparative Analysis Process
The comparative analysis process for this position may consist of a structured application review and a structured interview.
Appeal Rights:
An applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website,https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.
Supplemental Information:
Employment Philosophy: The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. We ar
Reviews the hearing record including exhibits, pleadings, and audio recordings then prepares grammatically and technically correct draft decisions on behalf of administrative law judges. Drafts must clearly and concisely state the issues presented, the relevant facts as supported by the evidence, the applicable legal authority, and the resolution of each issue. As appropriate, a staff attorney makes recommendations to the administrative law judges to ensure an accurate, legally sufficient decision is issued. If necessary, drafts alternative resolutions and provides a recommendation as to which resolution is most appropriate and why.
Consultation
Consults with and advises administrative law judges regarding complex or novel legal issues.
Docket Preparation
Review files to determine if cases are ready for hearing, advise administrative law judges of potential legal or procedural issues in the case.
Team Assistance
Assists staff and paralegals as needed.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights:
A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.
This position is advertised in line with the Governor's executive order (Executive Order 2022 015 (Download PDF reader)) focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training or past experiences.
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
Class Code & Classification Description:
H5E1XX Legal Assistant I (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-hr-professionals/job-classifications/class-description-and-minimum-qualifications-for-h5e)
Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:
Paralegal Certificate obtained through either an American Bar Association (ABA) approved paralegal studies program or an accredited institution.
Substitutions:
- Two (2) years of work experience in a paralegal capacity which included conducting legal research, preparing drafts of legal documents and gathering and compiling data from legal references and resources will substitute for the required certificate.
- A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school may substitute for the required certificate
The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:
Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position
Excellent written communication skills
A Juris Doctor from a law school accredited by the ABA
Conditions of Employment:
A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
Comparative Analysis Process
The comparative analysis process for this position may consist of a structured application review and a structured interview.
Appeal Rights:
An applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website,https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.
Supplemental Information:
Employment Philosophy: The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. We ar