ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY III (DHS)

Mesa County, CO•Davenport, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The County Attorney III – Human Services reports directly to the County Attorney and serves as the County Attorney’s central liaison with the Department of Human Services and accepts responsibility for advising Represent Mesa County and its departments in legal issues of Dependency and Neglect cases, mental health, adult protection, and in other matters as assigned by the County Attorney with an emphasis in client service. The expectation is that the County Attorney III – Human Services will accept responsibility for compliance with the County Attorney’s annual contract with the Department of Human Services. This will include training and mentoring Assistant County Attorneys and Senior Assistant County Attorneys in the Human Services Division that are involved in those legal issues. In addition the County Attorney III – Human Services will offer advice and assistance to the County Attorney in the County Attorney’s oversight of Oversee outside Counsel hired to represent Mesa County in Human Services related matters and such other matters as the County Attorney or First Assistant County Attorney may reasonably request from time to time. (The following duty statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. Mesa County reserves the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of this job at any time. All responsibilities may not be performed by all incumbents.) Monitor the County Attorney’s Office’s compliance with the annual contract that office enters into with DHS. Under the direction of the County Attorney and First Assistant County Attorney, Train and mentor the Human Services Division staff attorneys. Responsible for carrying a caseload of dependency and neglect cases and providing assistance to staff attorneys as needed. Advise Department of Human Services and other county departments on Human Services related matters as necessary. Provide legal representation for Mesa County in all legal proceedings related to Dependency and Neglect cases, mental health, adult protection, and in other matters as assigned by the County Attorney. Dependency and Neglect to which the County or the Department of Human Services is a party. Prepare written opinions as required by County officials or as assigned by the County Attorney. Investigate claims or complaints by or against the Department of Human Services as they relate to the D&N caseload and the other legal matters that the Human Services staff attorneys are involved in. Advise the County Attorney about staffing levels, quality of work and other general operations. Serve on related boards and participate in appropriate task forces as assigned or approved by the County Attorney. Maintain professional competence and training by attending related ongoing continuing education opportunities. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate or LLM
Six years legal experience
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities required for the job.
Current license to practice law in the State of Colorado.
Valid Colorado Driver’s License
Knowledge of Local Government legislative and quasi-judicial processes.
Principles, practices and procedures of litigation, including specific knowledge of the Colorado Rules of Evidence and the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
State and Federal laws relating to human services provided by local governments, specifically as they relate to Dependency and Neglect, adult protection and mental health matters.
Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.
Customer service and training mentored attorney’s in the skills necessary to ensure clients are enjoying the highest levels of customer service in the legal industry.
Sensitivity to politically charged issues that may arise form the representation of the Department of Human Services.
Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with a minimum of direction.
Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks, and to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.
Developing budgets, scrutinizing expenditures, and strategic planning.
Supporting and championing Board of Commissioner and Department of Human Services policy initiatives.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to independently assimilate facts and draw sound conclusions.
Ability to speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
Ability to write reports, correspondence, procedure manuals.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.

Responsibilities

Monitor the County Attorney’s Office’s compliance with the annual contract that office enters into with DHS.
Under the direction of the County Attorney and First Assistant County Attorney, Train and mentor the Human Services Division staff attorneys.
Responsible for carrying a caseload of dependency and neglect cases and providing assistance to staff attorneys as needed.
Advise Department of Human Services and other county departments on Human Services related matters as necessary.
Provide legal representation for Mesa County in all legal proceedings related to Dependency and Neglect cases, mental health, adult protection, and in other matters as assigned by the County Attorney.
Dependency and Neglect to which the County or the Department of Human Services is a party.
Prepare written opinions as required by County officials or as assigned by the County Attorney.
Investigate claims or complaints by or against the Department of Human Services as they relate to the D&N caseload and the other legal matters that the Human Services staff attorneys are involved in.
Advise the County Attorney about staffing levels, quality of work and other general operations.
Serve on related boards and participate in appropriate task forces as assigned or approved by the County Attorney.
Maintain professional competence and training by attending related ongoing continuing education opportunities.
Perform other related duties as assigned.