Assistant County Attorney

Assistant County Attorney

Montezuma County, Colorado | Full-Time | Exempt

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week

Status: Exempt

Salary: $80,000–$100,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications

Benefits: Health, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance options; 401(a) plan with County match; vacation; sick leave; and paid holidays

Position Overview

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, this role has primary responsibility for advising and representing the Department of Social Services, with a focus on dependency and neglect child welfare matters, child support enforcement, and adult protection cases.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide counsel and legal representation to Montezuma County, with support from a legal assistant, including legal research, litigation, policy review, and general advice on matters under County consideration.
2. 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. Most of the position's time will support the Department of Social Services.
3. Represent the Department of Social Services in review and evidentiary hearings, jury and bench trials, and appellate proceedings.
4. Conduct legal research; prepare trial-court pleadings; and draft appellate briefs on behalf of Montezuma County and its departments.
5. Participate in case staffing's with case workers, legal technicians, and supervisors, and assist with developing case, treatment, and safety plans.
6. Prosecute violations of the Montezuma County Land Use Code.
7. Maintain professional competence through relevant continuing legal education.
8. Support the County Attorney with legal research and other work related to representing the Board of County Commissioners and County department heads.
9. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Demonstrated ability to research Colorado statutes, court and appellate rules, rules of evidence, and rules of professional conduct. Knowledge of the Colorado Children’s Code, child protection proceedings, and child support statutes is preferred.
2. 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.
3. Strong factual analysis and legal reasoning skills, with the ability to manage a high-volume workload, competing deadlines, and frequent interruptions.

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Active license to practice law in Colorado and membership in good standing with the Colorado Bar.

Preferred

• One to four years of relevant legal experience.
• Working knowledge of trial practice, dependency and neglect matters, and the Colorado Children’s Code.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range is $80,000–$100,000 , depending on experience and qualifications. Benefits include available health, medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans; a 401(a)-retirement plan with County match; vacation and sick leave; and paid holidays.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position works primarily in typical office and courtroom environments. Duties may require standing, stooping, bending, twisting, and lifting to 25 pounds.

Needed Documents

Please include a cover letter with your resume.

Inquires

For questions about this position please contact the County Attorney Stephen Tarnowski at View email address on click.appcast.io.