Assistant Director – Employment & Labor Law Section

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

5d • $157,385 - $267,554 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Denver City Attorney’s Office is seeking an Assistant Director for the Employment & Labor Law Section. This role is part of the existing Employment Law leadership team and offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a leader and manager with extensive legal experience. The successful candidate will supervise a team of approximately eight attorneys, acting as a "player/coach" by both litigating and managing other attorneys. This position involves representing the City and County of Denver in employment matters, providing legal counsel, and defending employment-related cases in various administrative and judicial forums. The role requires a strong understanding of federal, Colorado, and local workplace laws, including traditional labor relations, wage and hour issues, leave management, and disability accommodations. The Assistant Director will also be involved in conducting management training and negotiating legal documents.

Requirements

• Doctor of Jurisprudence Degree or Bachelor of Laws Degree.
• Three (3) years of experience of the type and at the level of Assistant City Attorney – Senior with specialized experience in civil litigation.
• At least seven (7) years of employment and/or labor law experience.
• Substantial experience in employment and labor law issues that include advising clients on legal issues involving: Federal and State Labor Laws, Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, FLSA.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Possession of a license to practice law in Colorado from the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire or a reasonable expectation of becoming licensed by the Colorado Supreme Court by the date of hire.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• Resume
• Cover Letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the position.
• Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in public sector preferred.
• A true leader who is a self-starter, team-player, is passionate about working in public service, and strives to achieve operational excellence.
• Outcome- and results-oriented, ethical and fair, have good common sense and sound judgment.
• Demonstrate an ability to develop, lead, manage, and motivate an experienced and dynamic legal team.
• An interest in continuing to try cases is a must as this Assistant Director will serve as lead litigator defending complex, high-profile civil rights cases and advise multiple boards within the City and County.

Responsibilities

• Representing the City and County of Denver as the employer.
• Providing advice and counsel regarding federal, Colorado and local workplace laws.
• Handling all facets of traditional labor relations, including representing management in the formation of new collective bargaining units, providing legal advice on union organizing, handling grievance, arbitration and unfair labor practice proceedings, and negotiating/advising on collective bargaining agreements.
• Advising management on federal and state wage and hour issues, leave management, disability accommodations and other workplace issues.
• Reviewing handbooks, policies and forms for legal compliance.
• Conducting management training regarding labor relations, federal, state and local workplace issues, harassment, discrimination and retaliation.
• Negotiating and preparing settlement agreements, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
• Drafting and preparing memoranda, motions, briefs and pleadings for judicial or quasi-judicial proceedings.
• Conducting or assisting with legal research.
• Assisting attorneys working in specialized areas with litigation, research and related activities.
• Providing City officers and employees with counsel and advice and preparing formal legal opinions on complex matters, in specialized legal areas, as assigned by the City Attorney.
• Other related duties as assigned or requested.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

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