Assistant County Attorney / Senior Assistant County Attorney - Human Services

Douglas County, Colorado • Castle Rock, CO

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Douglas County is seeking an Assistant County Attorney or Senior Assistant County Attorney to assist the County Attorney in providing legal advice and representation to the Board of County Commissioners, County departments, and elected and appointed officials. Classification and compensation depend on qualifications and experience. The position supports Human Services by advising and representing the department in Dependency and Neglect and other child welfare matters, and may address a broad range of legal issues affecting the County. The attorney must be capable of providing competent, detailed legal advice across multiple areas with minimal or no immediate oversight.

The Assistant County Attorney hiring range is generally $84,431 to $105,539 annually. The Senior Assistant County Attorney hiring range is generally $122,181 to $152,726 annually. The overall pay range listed is $84,431 to $183,271.

Douglas County offers medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans, as well as additional resources supporting employee health, growth, and well-being. The position is overtime-exempt. In an emergency or disaster, County employees are expected to make every effort to assist with necessary County operations; this may involve additional duties and hours beyond normal requirements. Exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week supporting County operations during an emergency may receive overtime or other appropriate compensation under County policy or at the County's discretion.

Requirements

• Assistant County Attorney: Graduation from an accredited law school with an LL.B. or J.D. degree.
• Assistant County Attorney: At least one year of experience as a practicing attorney.
• Senior Assistant County Attorney: LL.B. or J.D. degree and at least seven years of legal practice with litigation experience.
• Admitted by the Colorado Supreme Court to practice law in Colorado.
• Possess a valid Colorado driver's license upon hire and maintain complying insurance.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check, including national-database fingerprinting.
• Motor vehicle record review at hire and periodically during employment.
• Ability to maintain the legal skill needed to provide competent, detailed advice across a variety of legal areas with minimal or no immediate oversight.

Nice To Haves

• Prior government experience is highly desirable for the Assistant County Attorney role.
• For the Senior Assistant County Attorney role, experience with vulnerable populations, special victims units, child welfare, Dependency and Neglect cases, family law, law enforcement, contracts, land use, or other County or public-sector work is beneficial.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Represent the County in legal matters involving the Board of County Commissioners, elected officials, and County departments in administrative hearings and court proceedings.
• Advise and represent the Human Services Department in Dependency and Neglect and child welfare cases, handling matters from emergency protection or removal orders and petition filing through hearings, trials, and termination of parental rights proceedings.
• Prepare and review contracts, petitions, appeals, guardianships, grant applications, and other legal documents.
• Prepare cases for emergencies, mediation, negotiations, and trials.
• Prepare department staff to testify in civil, administrative, and domestic court proceedings.
• Provide legal oversight in adoption hearings and subsidy appeals.
• Prepare cases for Administrative Court review of appeals of child abuse findings and review records for release.
• Ensure child welfare cases comply with applicable state and federal rules and laws, including ASFA, Families First, Title IVE, ICWA, HIPAA, FERPA, IDEA, federal Title 42 substance-abuse-treatment information requirements, and Colorado confidentiality and privilege laws.
• Represent the Department in delinquency court proceedings when needed.
• Review Memorandums of Understanding.
• Serve as a legal advisor to the Douglas County Child Protection Teams and Citizens Review Team when needed.
• Conduct legal research, interview County officers, employees, and witnesses, and prepare for trials and hearings.
• Prepare legal briefs and develop case strategy, arguments, and testimony.
• Conduct trials in state and federal court, as applicable, and brief and argue appellate cases in state and federal court.
• Explain and interpret statutes, regulations, and case status to County officials and employees.
• Provide legal advice and memoranda to elected officials, department and division heads, and employees.
• Assist County personnel with contracts, leases, deeds, easements, license agreements, resolutions, regulations, and other legal documents.
• Negotiate contracts, leases, deeds, easements, license agreements, and other legal documents.
• Provide legal assistance on an as-needed basis for issues affecting the County.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• During emergencies or disasters, make every effort to assist County leadership and departments in maintaining necessary County functions, including performing additional duties and hours as needed.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plans.
• Additional resources supporting employee health, growth, and overall well-being.
• Possible overtime or other appropriate compensation for exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week supporting County operations during an emergency, subject to County policy or discretion.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level