Assistant Attorney General - Forestry, Fire, and State Lands

The Office of the Attorney General, Natural Resources Division, has an immediate opening for an attorney to represent the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands within the Department of Natural Resources. The position involves advising the Division on a wide variety of state and federal legal issues involving: 1) wildland fires and pursuing cost recovery actions associated with negligent, reckless, and intentional acts or omissions that contribute to causing wildland fires; and 2) management of sovereign lands underlying navigable bodies of water, administration and enforcement of conservation easements, and other issues affecting the sovereign lands and forestry programs.

The position entails litigating civil court cases, pursuing criminal restitution, collection activities, negotiating settlements, negotiating and drafting contracts, drafting legislation and statutes, and providing legal guidance to the Division in pursuing its statutory responsibilities. The successful applicant will also have familiarity, or the requisite skill set, to work effectively with federal, state and county counterparts in pursuing fire cost recovery, facilitating improved cooperation and improving fire mitigation practices. The 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 may be given to candidates who have five or more years of legal experience related to natural resources. Additional preference for those with education or experience in civil litigation, forestry, sovereign lands, public trust doctrine, real property, contracts, and conservation easements. The position is located in Salt Lake City. The Office of the Attorney General is an equal opportunity employer. Security background checks are completed as a condition of employment.

• Prepare cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
• Provide consultation, make recommendations, give appropriate advice, and facilitate decisions.
• Assess discovery needs and complete discovery.
• Participate in decision making and strategy sessions in preparing cases for court and determining evidence to be used.
• Write or draft correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
• Receive, research, and respond to legal questions and complaints.
• Provide information, explain policy and procedures, and facilitate resolutions.
• Represent the Division and state in lawsuits, grievances, and complaints.
• Draft litigation working documents and prepare other legal documents based on sound arguments using relevant facts, interpretations of law, and compliance with state and federal standards.
• Conduct conferences with opposing parties and negotiate settlements.
• Represent division in formal and informal administrative hearings.
• Occasionally travel overnight to project sites, court locations, meetings, and conferences.

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• Communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely in writing.
• Read and understand information presented in writing.
• Read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Speak clearly, concisely, and effectively.
• Listen to and understand verbally communicated information and ideas. 
• Use logic and reasoning to analyze and identify underlying principles, rationales, and facts in drawing conclusions.
• Perform effective legal research using case law, statutes, rules, and other relevant materials.
• Research and understand laws governing access to public and private records (Government Records Access and Management Act).
• Deal with people in a manner that shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism. 
• Provide consultation and expert advice.
• Interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation.

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
• A conditional offer of employment will be made pending a satisfactory completion of a background investigation.
• Where statute mandates, active membership in the Utah State Bar.
• Must be able to travel as required. 
• Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state per UCA 53-3-202(1)(a). 
• Salary is calculated based on initial Bar admittance year, less any years not practicing law, as outlined below. 

  Bar Year	Base Rate	Annual
  2021-2023	$54.00	$112,320
  2018-2020	$57.00	$118,560
  2012-2017	$60.00	$124,800
  2007-2011	$63.00	$131,040
  2002-2006	$66.00	$137,280
  1997-2001	$69.00	$143,520
  1992-1996	$72.00	$149,760
  1987-1991	$75.00	$156,000
  1982-1986	$78.00	$162,240
  1977-1981	$81.00	$168,480
  1976-Prior	$84.00	$174,720