Nine months after the Legislature and Gov. Mike Leavitt created the new job of porn czar, the state finally is taking applications.

While at first blush it may sound like the best job in government, it's not just a matter of thumbing through magazines with nude-model spreads or reviewing the newest releases in adult videos. The porn czar -- officially called the obscenity and pornography complaints ombudsman -- must be a licensed attorney with expertise in prosecuting (not just investigating) violations of law.

The duties of the new position in the attorney general's office include drafting a comprehensive moral nuisance law for the state.

I don't know how you even do that in state law, said Attorney General-elect Mark Shurtleff, pointing out that courts say obscenity is a local issue, based on community standards. It's quite a challenge.

Other tasks include drawing up model ordinances for local governments to combat smut, advising local officials on strategies to suppress nude-dancing and other sexually oriented businesses, and arbitrating obscenity-based disputes between citizens and flesh firms.

Not only is the job demanding, the pay is somewhat shaky. That is because lawmakers provided only six months worth of the proposed $150,000 annual salary and benefits package. They wrote a legislative IOU for the remaining half-year salary and expenses of $75,000.

Leavitt has requested the money in his budget recommendations, and Shurtleff says legislative leaders have assured him of funding. In fact, the incoming AG already is proposing to expand the office and its budget to include a computer expert to go after cyber smut.

Orem resident Andrew McCullough said he planned to submit his application, perhaps in jest. There is nobody in Utah that has more expertise in this area, says the attorney for nude-dancing clubs and a consulting defense expert in the Utah County Movie Buffs obscenity case.