Assistant County Attorney / Senior Assistant County Attorney - Human Services

Douglas County, CO•Castle Rock, CO

10h•$84,431 - $183,271•Onsite

About The Position

Douglas County is hiring 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 or appointed officials. The role includes legal representation in matters involving Human Services, particularly dependency and neglect and child welfare cases. Classification and compensation depend on qualifications and experience. The stated overall pay range is $84,431 to $183,271 annually; the typical hiring range is $84,431 to $105,539 for an Assistant County Attorney and $122,181 to $152,726 for a Senior Assistant County Attorney. The attorney represents the County in administrative hearings and court proceedings; conducts legal research and prepares cases, briefs, strategies, arguments, and testimony; and advises County officials and employees on statutes, regulations, and legal questions. Human Services work includes handling all stages of dependency and neglect matters, preparing and reviewing legal documents, supporting staff testimony, providing legal oversight in adoption hearings and subsidy appeals, and ensuring child welfare matters comply with applicable state and federal law. The position may also involve trials and appellate cases in state and federal court, contract negotiation, and other legal issues affecting the County. A law degree and admission to practice law in Colorado are required. The Assistant County Attorney level requires at least one year of legal practice; the Senior Assistant County Attorney level requires at least seven years of legal practice with litigation experience. A valid Colorado driver's license and successful criminal background check, including fingerprinting, are also required. In emergencies or disasters, County employees are expected to make every effort to assist with continued County operations, which may require additional duties and hours.

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.
Senior Assistant County Attorney: at least seven years of legal practice, including litigation experience.
Admission by the Colorado Supreme Court to practice law in Colorado.
Valid Colorado driver's license upon hire, with complying insurance; motor vehicle record review is required at hire and periodically during employment.
Successful completion of a criminal background check, including national database fingerprinting.
Maintain the legal skills needed to provide competent, detailed legal advice in a variety of areas with minimal or no immediate oversight.
Be available to assist County operations during an emergency or disaster, which may involve additional duties and hours.

Nice To Haves

Prior government experience is highly desirable for the Assistant County Attorney level.
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 for the Senior Assistant County Attorney level.

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 through hearings, trials, and termination of parental rights proceedings.
Prepare and review contracts, petitions, appeals, guardianships, grant applications, memorandums of understanding, and other legal documents.
Prepare cases for emergencies, mediation, negotiations, trials, and administrative appeals.
Prepare department staff to testify in civil, administrative, and domestic court proceedings.
Provide legal oversight in adoption hearings and subsidy appeals, review records for release, and advise on confidentiality and privilege requirements.
Represent the Department in delinquency court proceedings when needed and serve as 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 matters for trials and hearings.
Prepare legal briefs and develop case strategies, arguments, and testimony.
Conduct trials and brief and argue appellate cases in state and federal courts as needed.
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 legal documents including contracts, leases, deeds, easements, license agreements, resolutions, and regulations.
Negotiate contracts, leases, deeds, easements, license agreements, and other legal documents.
Remain available as needed to address legal issues affecting the County and perform other duties as assigned.