Assistant Attorney General - Natural Resources

Assistant Attorney General - Natural Resources

FT / PT Status – Full-Time
Salary – $61.08 - $89.70 Hourly Wage
Remote Work / In-Office – In-Office / On-Site

Recruiter – Desi Crane | aghr@agutah.gov | 385-271-5803
Application Deadline – 7/12/2026

Key Responsibilities

Assistant Attorney General - Public Lands
 

The Office of the Attorney General, Natural Resources Division, has an immediate opening for an attorney to work in its Public Lands Section. The incumbent in this position provides full-time representation to the Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office (PLPCO) on matters primarily pertaining to federal public lands in the State of Utah and engagement with the federal agencies that manage them. Preference will be given to applicants with mediation, litigation, and courtroom experience. Some working knowledge of administrative law, public lands law, and general knowledge of natural resources law that pertains to public lands is preferred.

A successful candidate must have excellent oral advocacy and superior writing skills, experience reviewing and managing large volumes of documents, legal research abilities, and excellent case management skills with the ability to build rapport and work cooperatively with client agency representatives. The duties of this position will include working with county officials, state and federal legislators, state and federal agencies, and the public.

Preference will be given to applicants with 2-10 years of experience or more; entry level attorneys will also be considered. The successful candidate must be a member in good standing of the Utah State Bar upon application or have taken the most recent bar exam. Background checks are completed as a condition of employment. Some travel is required, as incumbents will need to represent the State in legal proceedings and related matters throughout the State.

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.
• Writes or drafts correspondence, reports, documents and/or other written materials.
• Receives, researches, and responds to incoming questions or complaints; provides information, explains policy and procedures, and/or facilitates resolution.
• Represents the state or the client agency in lawsuits, grievances, and complaints.
• Engages in litigation, negotiates settlements, and participates in other court proceedings.
• Conducts (or represents agency at) formal and/or informal hearings.
• Interviews witnesses and takes depositions in preparation for trial.
• Some travel will be required with overnight stays.
• Communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely in writing
• Read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures
• Speak clearly, concisely, and effectively
• Experience in the review, analysis, and legal interpretation of NEPA, APA, FLPMA, ESA, and/or NFMA preferred
• Familiarity with R.S. 2477 is not required but would be beneficial
• Understand and apply statutory and case law
• Analyze and draw conclusions regarding statutes, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and legislative history
• Interact with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism
• Identify current and emerging trends in interpretation of legislative principles, theories, and practices of judicial or administrative law

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• 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 autom