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ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY

JOB SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the County Attorney, the Assistant County Attorney provides legal services to the Board of County Commissioners ("BoCC") and, with BoCC consent, to other elected County offices, the County Manager, department and division heads, and appointed boards, commissions, and committees. The Assistant County Attorney advises on compliance with federal, state, and local laws; drafts and reviews contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents; represents the County in judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative proceedings; and performs professional legal duties in support of County governance, with an emphasis on both transactional work as well as code enforcement actions.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES:
 
 

 

Legal Advice and Representation

  
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Advises the BoCC and other County offices, divisions, departments, boards, committees, and commissions on operations, policies, and programs to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and orders.
  
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Makes presentations to groups and individuals; attends public meetings, including BoCC meetings and those of other County boards, committees, and commissions on a regular or as-requested basis.
  
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Reviews, interprets, recommends, and prepares policies, procedures, leases, contracts, and other documents; provides information and responds to questions.
  
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Represents the County in code enforcement litigation and various types of administrative hearings and negotiations.
  
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Prepares pleadings, motions, briefs, and appellate filings; conducts discovery; prepares witnesses; and presents cases in court, administrative forums, and before the Board of County Commissioners.
  
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Evaluates legal claims, appeals, and actions against the County; coordinates with insurers and outside counsel when appropriate.
  
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Provides legal guidance on planning matters, affordable and workforce housing, complex acquisitions, construction projects, and zoning code updates.
  
 

Document Drafting and Review

  
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Drafts, reviews and approves for legal sufficiency: ordinances, resolutions, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, deeds, leases, easements, licenses, subdivision improvement agreements, development agreements and other legal instruments.
  
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Works with County staff to review land use applications, development agreements and other related legal documents.
  

 

Research and Analysis

  
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Research laws, regulations, case law, and court rules applicable to County matters.
  
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Tracks and analyzes changes in Colorado statutes, administrative rules, and case law affecting County operations.
  
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Identifies legal risks and provides recommendations consistent with Colorado law and County policy.
  
 

Specialized Areas of Practice

  
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Manages matters relating to land use, planning, zoning, open space, and code enforcement.
  
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Advises on public health law and Onsite Water Treatment Regulations.
  
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Works with the County Finance Department to ensure compliance with the Local Government Budget Law of Colorado and offers advice on budget and taxation concerns.
  
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Supports County staff in drafting, revising, and enforcing land use codes, zoning regulations, and development standards.
  
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In coordination with the County's Office of Emergency Management, provides legal guidance related to emergencies, disaster declarations, and disaster recovery efforts.
  
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Maintains familiarity with the Wildland-Urban Interface Code, International Fire Code, and other uniform codes, and recommends adoption of regulations or revisions to regulations already adopted by the County.
  
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Consults on 1041 and National Environmental Policy Act matters.
  
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Counsels the County Assessor's Office on issues and processes relating to property tax appeals.
  
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Guides the office of the County Treasurer and Public Trustee on matters pertaining to property tax collections and disbursements, and management of County funds.
  
 

Interagency and Public Engagement

  
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Attends BoCC, Planning Commission, and other public meetings as required.
  
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Coordinates with officials from federal, state, and local governments, and public or private entities regarding compliance or mutual interests.
  
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Builds and maintains cooperative working relationships with governmental agencies, community groups, and the public.
  

 

Other Duties

  
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Assists in developing and implementing County policies.
  
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Provides legal training and presentations to County staff, boards and the public.
  
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Performs additional legal duties as assigned by the County Attorney.
  
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS:
 
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE / EDUCATION
 
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Bachelor's Degree from a four-year college or university and graduation from an accredited law school with a JD Degree; and two (2) years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
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Must be a member of the Bar of the State of Colorado, in good standing, and eligible for admission to the US District and 10th US Circuit courts.
  
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Minimum of five years of legal experience, with at least two years in local government civil matters preferred.
  
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Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
  
 

Licensing/Certification

  
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Active member in good standing with the Colorado Bar.
  
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Eligible for admission to the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
  
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Valid Colorado driver's license.
  

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

 
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Expertise in Colorado state law as it applies to county government, with emphasis on land use, planning, zoning, code enforcement, and administrative law.
  
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Knowledge of rules of evidence, Colorado court rules, and judicial procedures.
  
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Ability to draft clear, legally sound documents; conduct complex legal research; and deliver persuasive oral and written advocacy.
  
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks and provide practical solutions.
  
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Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
  
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Strong interpersonal skills to build effective working relationships with elected officials, division directors, department managers, other employees, opposing counsel and the public.
  
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Commitment to ethical standards and professional integrity in public service.
  

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

 
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Admission before the Colorado Bar
  
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Must have a valid driver's license
  
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Must pass a criminal background check
  
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Required legal authorization to work - United States citizenship or legal authorization to work in the United States
  
 
 
  

 

SUPERVISORY:

May delegate tasks, instructions and assignments to the Senior Paralegal/Executive Assistant as needed in consultation with the County Attorney.
 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

 

Work primarily occurs in an office setting, with occasional travel for meetings, court appearances, or site visits. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and perform activities including standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching. Requires clear speech, hearing, and vision (corrective devices permitted).
POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS SPECIFIC TO THIS POSITION
 

None

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of requirements, duties and responsibilities. Clear Creek County provides reasonable job-related accommodations for disabled persons.
EMERGENCY DEPLOYMENT
 
 

Employees may be temporarily reassigned to perform emergency response or disaster recovery duties within their department or in other County departments during a County-declared emergency or disaster, as authorized under the Clear Creek County Employee Disaster Deployment Policy. Such assignments will align with operational needs and the employee's skills and may occur with limited notice. Deployment assignments require employee agreement, and employees will continue to receive their regular compensation in accordance with County policies and applicable labor laws during such assignments.