Assistant County Attorney

La Plata County

County Attorney Office: Asst County Atty -

Reps LPC in a variety of admin, regulatory & civil actions. Advises LPC depts, offices & LPC appointed advisory boards & commissions. Research & interpret law in multiple practice areas incl land use, natural resources, law enforcement, contracts, roads & bridges, prop. valuation & taxes, finance/budget, elections, emp. law, open meetings & public records, child welfare & constitutional issues. Req’s a BA/BS deg. & Juris Doctorate; 3-5 yrs of legal exp in local gov’t or any combo of edu., training & exp that provides the req’d. knowledge to perform essential job duties. Annual salary $100-128k DOE. FT w/ med, dental, vision, 401a, up to 208 hrs pd vac & 104 hrs pd sick leave/yr, pd hols & pd parental leave. Deadline 4 pm 6/19/26. Apply online at or @ kiosk @ LPC, 1101 E 2nd Ave, Dgo. Equal Opportunity Employer.

LA PLATA COUNTY, COLORADO

CLASS SPECIFICATION

CLASS TITLE: ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY

GRADE: G17

DEPARTMENT: COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

FLSA STATUS: E

REPORTS TO: COUNTY ATTORNEY

DATE: 03/19 JOB

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the County Attorney, performs a variety of complex, administrative, technical and professional legal services and to County officials, boards, departments, agencies or employees. Duties include, but are not limited to, (1) providing legal services to County officials, departments and agencies including, but not limited to, the Board of County Commissioners, Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, Assessor, Community Development, Finance and Human Resources; (2) representing the County in administrative, legislative and judicial proceedings; and, to a lesser extent (3) performing services for the Department of Human Services in the areas of child protection, child support and adult protection.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 
Essential functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks. Reasonable accommodations, as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, will be made when possible.

May serve as an internal legal representative and/or advisor for the County in such matters pertaining to the preparation and review of ordinances, resolutions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, pleadings and other legal documents; furnishes legal opinions to County officials and staff upon request; may represent and defend the County and its officials in federal and state courts in cases where the County is a party.

Drafts legal opinions, proposed legislation, resolutions and ordinances and, when appropriate, present and defend such opinions at public meetings. Engages in internal and external collaborative efforts to advance priorities of County Commissioners and other elected officials.

Provides guidance and direction to county departments; may assign, evaluate and review completed work assignments; answers technical and procedural questions and ensures that work assignments are carried out in accordance with statute, departmental procedures, policies and standards.

Prepares drafts of pleadings, motions and interrogatories; prepare letters, opinions, memoranda and legal documents in the composition of legislative reports, briefs and contracts. Appears in court proceedings on the County’s behalf.

Furnishes information on inquiries and complaints submitted to the County Attorney’s Office from the public, law enforcement and other personnel as required; serves as a liaison with the community and judiciary when requested; represents the County Attorney’s Office at community and business gatherings when requested.

Coordinates and directs investigative functions.

Performs other related work as assigned.

Regular and predictable attendance required.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Computer
Computer tablets
General Office Equipment
Microfilm Machine

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctorate; and,

Three to five years of progressively responsible related legal experience in a local government environment; or,

Any combination of education, training and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Licenses and Certifications:
License in good standing as an attorney issued by the Colorado Supreme Court.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of:

Knowledge of the principles and practices of federal and state statutes, case law, rules, regulations and procedures concerning county government, administrative procedures and the judicial process.
Knowledge of the methods and practices of pleadings.
Knowledge of the principles of courtroom procedures and Rules of Evidence.
Knowledge of the methods, practices and references utilized in conducting legal research.
Knowledge of the responsibilities, functions and operating procedures of the Board of County Commissioners; including parliamentary procedures, public process, provisions of the Colorado Open Records and Open Meetings law.
Knowledge of the organizational structure of county government and the services and functions provided by each department.
Knowledge of the relationship of county government to other public agencies and tribal governments.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision, training and performance management. 

Skill in:

Skill in using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
Skill in organizing and delegating work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up assignments with a minimum of direction.
Skill in performing legal research using Westlaw, Lexis or similar applications
Skill in applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.

Ability to:

Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedence to ascertain the determining aspects of cases.
Ability to present facts in a clear and logical manner.
Ability to present and argue cases in court.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with court officials, County officials, law enforcement personnel and the general public.
Ability to perform all functions pertaining to the investigation, preparation, review, filing, pleading and disposition of mental health proceedings, child welfare and child support and other civil matters.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
Work is performed in a normal office environment with little exposure to outdoor temperatures or dirt and dust.
The incumbent's working conditions are moderately quiet. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office and setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time, to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to speak and hear; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; to verbally communicate to exchange information. While performing the essential functions of this job the employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.