Assistant County Attorney

Montezuma County•Cortez, CO

11d

About The Position

Montezuma County is seeking an Assistant County Attorney to provide legal advice, representation, and services to the Board of County Commissioners and assigned County departments. Reporting to the County Attorney, the position primarily advises and represents the Department of Social Services, focusing on dependency and neglect child welfare matters, child support enforcement, and adult protection cases. Most of the position’s time will support the Department of Social Services, with assistance from a legal assistant. The role includes legal research, litigation, policy review, general legal advice, representation in hearings and trials, and drafting trial-court pleadings and appellate briefs. The Assistant County Attorney also participates in case staffing, assists with case, treatment, and safety plans, prosecutes violations of the Montezuma County Land Use Code, and supports the County Attorney in representing the Board of County Commissioners and County department heads. This is a full-time, exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week. The annual salary is $80,000–$100,000, depending on experience and qualifications. The position works primarily in typical office and courtroom environments. Duties may require standing, stooping, bending, twisting, and lifting up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
Active license to practice law in Colorado and membership in good standing with the Colorado Bar.
Demonstrated ability to research Colorado statutes, court and appellate rules, rules of evidence, and rules of professional conduct.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with colleagues, supervisors, clients, court personnel, attorneys, and members of the public.
Strong factual analysis and legal reasoning skills.
Ability to manage a high-volume workload, competing deadlines, and frequent interruptions.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Colorado Children's Code, child protection proceedings, and child support statutes.
One to four years of relevant legal experience.
Working knowledge of trial practice, dependency and neglect matters, and the Colorado Children's Code.

Responsibilities

Provide legal counsel and representation to Montezuma County, including legal research, litigation, policy review, and general advice on matters under County consideration.
Advise and represent the Department of Social Services in child abuse and neglect investigations, dependency and neglect proceedings, adult protection matters, child support services, and responses to records requests and subpoenas.
Represent the Department of Social Services in review and evidentiary hearings, jury and bench trials, and appellate proceedings.
Conduct legal research, prepare trial-court pleadings, and draft appellate briefs on behalf of Montezuma County and its departments.
Participate in case staffing with case workers, legal technicians, and supervisors, and assist with developing case, treatment, and safety plans.
Prosecute violations of the Montezuma County Land Use Code.
Maintain professional competence through relevant continuing legal education.
Support the County Attorney with legal research and other work related to representing the Board of County Commissioners and County department heads.
Perform other related duties as assigned.