Assistant Town Attorney I (85207)

Town of Erie•Erie, CO

5d•$120,355 - $168,497•Hybrid

About The Position

The individual will perform entry level legal work at the direction of the Town Attorney and Deputy Town Attorney. Their primary responsibilities include providing legal advice to Town Councilmembers and employees; drafting and finalizing standard memorandums, letters, contracts, and legal documents; litigation; record keeping; and file and case management. This position requires knowledge and use of legal terminology, great customer service skills to assist in daily interactions with the public, employees, and Town Mayor/Council. The Assistant Town Attorney I may be assigned to learn areas of specialty requiring knowledge and expertise in construction and other contracts, land use and zoning, code enforcement, liquor licensing, elections, public finance, sales and use tax, public records, employment, or other areas of municipal law. As the individual gains experience, duties will expand accordingly, with increased complexity, independence, and responsibility. All staff are expected to adhere to the Town’s mission, vision and values of TRUE. The Town is growing a new legal division in-house and we are currently looking to hire two Assistant Town Attorneys. You may notice a level II/III posted separately than this one and then this current requisition which we are looking to hire one level I. In total we are hiring two Assistant Attorneys between both requisitions.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
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 in accordance with C.R.C.P. 203.2, 203.3, 203.4, or 205.6.
CJIS Certification or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Office 365 products as well as PDF services such as Adobe.
A combination of education and experience may be considered.
Maintain professional demeanor and observe confidentiality requirements generally applicable to law offices.
If the employee will be driving, the Town will require a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.
Knowledge of: Colorado statutes and rules of procedure, court procedure and accepted court interpretations, state and federal government regulations, and Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct; government organization, authority (including home rule authority), functions, and limitations; entry level understanding of principles and practices of general and municipal law; entry level analysis and research techniques sufficient to be able to gather information, analyze desired information, and formulate appropriate recommendations; correct use of English usage including grammar, punctuation, and syntax; procurement; legal terminology; Town of Erie policies, procedures, and code.
Skills in: Operation of a personal computer including required software such as Microsoft Office and Office 365 products, PDF software such as Adobe, legal research software such as Lexis Nexis or Westlaw; reading, understanding, and interpreting legal documents; operation of equipment such as telephone, cell phone, and copier; understanding and responding to customer’s and co-worker’s needs; maintaining accurate records and documents within retention requirements.
Abilities in: Communicating and listening effectively, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of audiences; interpreting a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, table, or schedule form; prioritizing work and meeting established deadlines; perform entry level legal work involving the use of independent judgment and initiative; solving practical problems and dealing with a variety of variables; clearly explaining policies and procedures to interested parties; reading, analyzing, appraising, and organizing facts, evidence, and applicable precedents to present information in clear and logical form both orally and in writing; negotiating contracts, leases, deeds, and other legal documents with third parties; negotiate a resolution to entry level legal issues; effectively and persuasively represent the Town and its employees in court or administrative proceedings; attend various Council, board, or commission meetings to provide legal information or advice; establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees and the public; interpreting legal documents or terminology for other departments; performing legal analysis involving the use of independent judgement and initiative; maintaining confidentiality of records, data, and information; developing and preparing correspondence and memorandum; clearly explaining policies and procedures to interested parties; effectively managing work with a high volume and multiple deadlines including addressing multiple and competing demands or meeting deadlines; organizing tasks and working environment to maximize efficiency; adapting to interruptions, equipment failures, unusual demands, or rapidly changing priorities; employing and enforcing safety practices and procedures; proofreading; attention to detail; organization; add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Nice To Haves

One year experience in a law firm, government law office, or similar setting
Prior experience drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, licenses, and deeds
Prior experience in local government, preferably in Colorado
Familiarity with the following systems/software/databases: Legistar/Granicus, JustFOIA, Laserfiche, and Westlaw or Lexis Nexis
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Meticulous proofreading and document management skills
Demonstrated experience in managing high-volume caseloads, calendaring and strict deadlines

Responsibilities

Conducts research and summarizes laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, transactional matters, opinions, pleadings, briefs, and other documentation.
Investigates the facts of cases and ensures that all relevant information is considered.
Attends meetings and executive sessions of Town Council, Planning Commission, or other Town boards and commissions as directed.
Serves as counsel to Town boards and commissions and advises on legal matters.
Collects, compiles, organizes, and analyzes various data for use in reports and documentation.
Prepares and presents written legal analysis, reports, and recommendations to client departments and Town Council.
Prepares, revises, and executes routine contracts and responds to counter proposals or related documentation and exhibits.
Responds to client inquiries and communications and performs document management.
Assists with liquor license applications and hearings.
Handles or works with outside counsel on state, federal, and administrative litigation matters including the coordination and preparation of pleadings, motions, affidavits, exhibits, discovery, and responses.
Drafts, proofreads, and edits legal documents, including contracts, memos, letters, reports, deeds, ordinances, resolutions, and presentations.
Reviews and responds to Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) or Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act (CCJRA) requests and coordinates with departments to redact, organize, and produce responsive records using JustFOIA.
Reviews proposed legislation that has a potential impact on the Town.
Assists in the development of short and long-range goals including annual efforts to advance the Town’s mission, goals, and objectives.
Contributes to the preparation and review of departmental policies and procedures as necessary to maintain the effectiveness of departmental programs.
Provides strong customer service and communication skills whether in verbal or written communication when interacting with all levels of personnel within the Town and the general public in a positive and cooperative manner.
Manages their workload to achieve departmental goals.
Assures that responsibilities are performed in compliance with federal and state regulations, Town of Erie policies and procedures, Town of Erie Charter, and the Town of Erie Municipal Code.
Assists in recommending and implementing modifications to systems, policies, and procedures.
Identifies and recommends changes or improvements in departmental operations to ensure assigned functions are efficient and cost effective.
May perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Robust Medical, Dental and Vision plans including spouse, domestic partner and family coverage options
Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Plans
Employer paid Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability
Voluntary Supplemental Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) reimbursement up to $750 per year for numerous health/wellness purchases
Employer paid Employee Assistance Program
Robust Extended Sick Leave (ESL) and family sick leave program
48 hours of Colorado Sick Leave preloaded on the 1st of every year; pro-rated at time of hire
3 ½ Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (increases with years of service)
40 hours of pre-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO)
Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays
Twenty-Four (24) Hours of Paid Volunteer Leave
Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for bonding with a new child
Option to “sell back” PTO after two years of continuous employment
457 Retirement Plan, with a 5% employer match and immediate 100% vesting in your deferral AND employer contributions
Education reimbursement up to $3,000 per year
Individual free membership to the Erie Community Center and steep discounts on couple or family memberships
Employer sponsored wellness program, including employee-based fitness classes
Childcare benefits which includes 10% discount to any KinderCare location in Colorado
Half-off charging at Town-owned EV charging stations
Pet Insurance
Employee Discount Program through Benefits Hub
Eligible for discount Dell Computer program
Onsite/virtual trainings for growth and development opportunities
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-qualified employer