Assistant County Attorney - Human Services

Montrose County•Montrose, CO

About The Position

This position will be assigned to represent the Department of Human Services in child welfare cases, child support cases, and adult protection cases, and may represent of other departments, depending on availability and interest. Provides legal services to the Department of Human Services in all aspects of dependency and neglect cases and appeals, delinquency cases, child support, adult protection, and various administrative matters. Trains and partners with DHS caseworkers. Prosecutes dependency and neglect cases. Represents Montrose County in child support enforcement. Drafts and responds to motions; researches legal issues; analyzes cases; prepares cases for hearing and presents evidence including witness testimony at various hearings which may include but are not limited to, adjudicatory trials and termination of parental rights trials. Researches and prepares appellate briefs for the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court. Other assigned duties may include providing legal services to assigned County departments and the Board of Commissioners which may include research, all aspects of litigation, policy review, and general legal advice regarding current issues under consideration by the County.

Requirements

A Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.
Licensed to practice in the State of Colorado, or licensure pending for attorneys licensed in another state.
Minimum of two (2) years experience in the practice of law is preferred.
Negotiation, facilitation, and arbitration experience in both legal and administrative/policy-making setting essential.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats.
Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge.
Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex and technical documents including contracts, maps, and complex management and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format.
Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondences, complaints, motions, briefs and other litigation documents.
Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information.
Ability to effectively communicate with the public, federal, state and county officials, employees, community agencies and the public.
Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community.
Work with the media to maintain a positive image of the County to the community.
Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations.
Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality.
Must be able to diffuse the most intense situation with diplomacy and professionalism.
Must have the acumen to navigate political waters of the County and other outside agencies and organizations.
Demonstrate a commitment to the County’s mission, values and core beliefs.
Provide leadership, guidance and feedback to ensure continual quality improvement and respect the experience, cultural and overall diversity of those you lead and interact with.
Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Must be able make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes and make sound judgments, decision making, problem solving, while planning directing and monitoring the work of the agency.
Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend or implement best options in support of strategic goals and objectives.
Consider concrete and abstract variables.
Must have the ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and present material in a clear and logical form, including oral and written presentations, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.
Must be able to successfully manage multiple projects and complete work under pressure pursuant to deadlines.
Must be able to effectively use typical office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities.
Must be proficient in word processing, AdobePro, database manipulation, spread sheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources with a high degree of accuracy.
Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County.
This person should also have excellent legal research skills with electronic programs such as Casemaker, Westlaw or Lexis-Nexis.
Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

Nice To Haves

Public entity experience is preferred.
Superior litigation skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide representation in all aspects of the dependency and neglect caseload, including drafting any necessary motions, pleadings and appeals, preparing for and litigating hearings and trials.
Provide representation in all aspects of adult protection cases, child support enforcement cases, administrative matters and similar cases as assigned.
Assist the County Attorney with the practice of law for Montrose County in areas such as land use, contracts, human resources/employment, procurement, code enforcement, civil litigation, etc.
Conducts legal research and preparation of memorandums, court pleadings, and appeals, drafts or reviews drafts of contracts and other legal documents, and consults with members of the public and county staff as necessary in the judgment of attorney in the performance of legal representation of the County.
Provide legal advice to Human Services and other Departments as required on a daily basis concerning legal rights, obligations, procedures, and privileges; analyze relevant statutes, regulations and case law and interpret such for client both orally and in writing.
Trains Child Welfare caseworkers on Colorado’s Children’s Code, Dependency and Neglect and Delinquency procedures. Trains other County employees on new legislation.
Prepares cases for filing and represents Montrose County in court, in matters such as Dependency and Neglect cases and enforcement of County Ordinances.
Prepares witnesses, exhibits and presents cases to court.
Represents Montrose County in all stages of appeal, such as Rule 106 and Dependency and Neglect cases, to include oral arguments.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing with Human Services, elected officials, court clerks, judges, opposing counsel, and other professionals.
Maintain professional competence and training by attending related, ongoing continuing legal education trainings.
Assists County Attorney and Deputy County Attorneys as assigned.
Duties may include providing legal services to assigned County departments and the Board of Commissioners which may include research, all aspects of litigation, policy review, and general legal advice regarding current issues under consideration by the County.
Performs other related duties as assigned.