Assistant City Attorney I & II (Prosecution)

City of Boulder•Boulder, CO

5d•$91,978 - $150,280•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Boulder is hiring Assistant City Attorneys at levels I and II for its City Attorney’s Office. The Assistant City Attorney I is an entry-level prosecutor who handles a diverse caseload of municipal offenses and participates in all phases of prosecution, including case assessment, trial preparation, courtroom advocacy, and appeals. The role includes mentorship and professional development and contributes to the City’s efforts to support a safer and more inclusive community. The Assistant City Attorney II provides legal counsel to City Council, City departments, boards, and commissions, and may represent the City before administrative agencies and in municipal or water court, trial and appellate courts, board and commission meetings, real property transactions, and other specialty areas. Compared with level I, level II handles a larger workload with greater autonomy and assists in developing less experienced attorneys. Both roles report to the Deputy City Attorney and exercise no supervision. This is a full-time, salaried position scheduled for 40 hours per week. The City requires employees to comply with its hybrid work policy. The position is primarily performed in a clean, comfortable office environment, with interruptions and background noise; it may sometimes involve outdoor work in adverse weather. The work requires effective communication, document review and preparation, computer and office equipment use, mobility in an office setting, and the ability to work under stress from deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities. The salary range is $91,977.60–$136,635.20 for Assistant City Attorney I and $101,171.20–$150,280.00 for Assistant City Attorney II. The general hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the applicable range.

Requirements

ACA I: J.D. from an accredited law school.
ACA I: Licensed attorney in Colorado or in the process of earning a Colorado license to practice.
ACA I: No experience is required.
ACA I: Hold and maintain a valid driver’s license.
ACA I: Ability to adapt, interpret, and apply written guidelines, precedents, and standardized work practices independently across varied situations.
ACA I: Excellent oral and written communication skills, including preparing professional, concise, grammatically correct documents.
ACA I: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work well in a team.
ACA I: Ability to exercise initiative, judgment, and decision-making, with strong analytical, organizational, and administrative skills.
ACA I: Knowledge of applicable law, court procedures, rules of evidence, Colorado law, and criminal law and procedure sufficient to prepare and litigate cases and represent the City in administrative hearings.
ACA I: Knowledge of analysis and research techniques, municipal policy, ordinances, charter requirements, and general legal principles.
ACA I: Quality legal writing and research skills.
ACA II: J.D. from an accredited law school.
ACA II: Licensed attorney in Colorado or in the process of earning a Colorado license to practice.
ACA II: At least four years of experience as an attorney.
ACA II: Hold and maintain a valid driver’s license.
ACA II: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex legal documents; respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints; and make oral presentations to City departments, work groups, boards and commissions, and City Council.
ACA II: Willingness to attend evening and/or weekend meetings.
ACA II: Ability to interact with the public and City employees, exercise judgment in interpreting precedents and adapting standard practices, and sequence actions to meet deadlines.
ACA II: Ability to communicate effectively, prepare professional and concise written documents, establish effective working relationships, and exercise initiative and judgment.
ACA II: Knowledge or ability to quickly learn applicable law, court procedures, rules of evidence, municipal policy, ordinances, City Charter requirements, analysis and research techniques, and general legal principles.
ACA I and II: Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history.
ACA I and II: Sufficient communication ability, vision or other observation ability, manual dexterity, mobility, and physical reflexes to perform the described office work; ability to work under stress from deadlines, public contact, and changing priorities.

Nice To Haves

ACA I: Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish as a second language in a professional capacity.
ACA I: Prior experience as a judicial law clerk or government law clerk researching local government issues.
ACA I: Mock trial, trial advocacy, and/or experience in a prosecution office.
ACA II: Knowledge and understanding of legal issues relating to municipal law.
ACA II: Work or educational experience in state or local government and demonstrated interest in public service.
ACA II: Work experience advising boards or commissions.
ACA II: At least five years of experience as an attorney.

Responsibilities

ACA I: Prosecute Municipal Court cases.
ACA I: Meet with defendants, defense attorneys, witnesses, law enforcement, and crime victims.
ACA I: Prepare for all stages of municipal court prosecution, including case review, arraignments, plea offers, witness interviews, evidence evaluation, contested bench and jury trials, and appeals.
ACA I: Advise City departments, administrative staff, and boards and commissions on enforcement matters.
ACA I: Perform other legal services appropriate for an entry-level attorney under the direction of the City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney.
ACA I: Staff the Community Court outreach and diversion program.
ACA I and II: Follow City and department policies; take safety precautions, use required safety equipment, follow safety procedures, and report accidents or damage to City property.
ACA I and II: Reinforce and expand legal and subject matter expertise through professional training and development.
ACA II: Provide legal advice to City departments, administrative staff, and boards and commissions, including attending evening meetings, conducting or assisting with legal research, and preparing formal legal opinions.
ACA II: Prepare complex ordinances and resolutions.
ACA II: Negotiate, review, and prepare agreements and contracts.
ACA II: Represent the City in administrative and/or judicial hearings.
ACA II: Perform other assigned duties and legal services appropriate for a mid-level position and related work to meet City needs.
ACA II: Assist in developing less experienced attorneys in the office.