Position Title: Department/Office: Assistant County Attorney I, II, III County Attorney s Office Reports to: County Attorney, Deputy County Attorney Section: N/A Pay Grade: 9 Assistant County Attorney II: A Assistant County Attorney III B FLSA Status: Exempt Driving Classification: Supervision Legal Assistant Licenses/ Exercised: level Certifications: Requirements: Essential Licensed to practice law in Colorado; valid Driver s License. No prior experience required. Admitted or eligible for admission to practice law in all Colorado state courts. Assistant County Attorney II: 3 years experience as a practicing attorney. Admitted to practice before all Colorado state courts and eligible for admission to practice law in all federal courts. Legal experience in a significant number of the following areas of practice: contracts, child support, child welfare law, civil litigation, trials, land use, subdivision and zoning, state and local government law, and civil rights. Assistant County Attorney III: 5 years experience as a practicing attorney. Admitted to practice before all Colorado state courts and admitted or eligible for admission to practice law in all federal courts. Legal experience must include responsibility for civil litigation, trials, and appeals and be in a significant number of the following areas of practice: general state and local government law, contracts, land use, subdivision and zoning, civil rights, law enforcement, child support, child welfare law, adult protection, employment, real estate transactions, annexation and eminent domain, property valuation and taxation, federal and state law regulating oil and gas and other extractive industries, Colorado water law, airport law, and other areas relevant to the position. Assistant County Attorney I, II, III Date Updated 110511 KLR 1
General Purpose: Assist the County Attorney and other Assistant County Attorneys in providing legal advice and representation in routine matters to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), other County Elected Officials, and administrative departments, as directed by the County Attorney or Deputy County Attorney. Assistant County Attorney II & III: Assist the County Attorney and other Assistant County Attorneys in providing legal advice and representation in routine matters to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), other County Elected Officials, and administrative departments, as directed by the County Attorney or Deputy County Attorney. Practice areas may grow substantially over time. Essential Functions: (These duties are a representative sample; position assignments and detailed work instructions may vary.) Under supervision, performs the following essential functions: 1. Represents the Garfield County Department of Human Services in child welfare proceedings in juvenile court and related administrative venues. 2. Represents the Garfield County Department of Human Services, Child Support Enforcement Unit, in child support proceedings in judicial and administrative venues. 3. Responsible for all aspects of case preparation including motions, responses to motions, witness interviews, depositions, appeals and all related tasks. 4. Prepares for and appears before the Board of County Commissioners as needed. 5. Cross trains to become familiar with and competent in specialty legal areas. 6. Drives vehicle to perform one or more essential functions. 7. Reviews all work products to ensure highest level of quality. 8. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned. Assistant County Attorney II: 1. Performs all duties of Assistant County Attorney I. 2. Advises county departments, offices and agencies, elected officials and County appointed advisory boards and commissions on legal aspects of local government as assigned. 3. Researches and interprets the law as it applies to county government in multiple practice areas as assigned. Areas may include but are not limited to land use, special districts, water law, contracts and procurement, property valuation and assessment, taxes (property, sales and use), financing and budgeting, roads, bridges, and transportation, Taxpayer s Bill of Rights (TABOR), liquor licensing, elections, employment law, civil litigation, constitutional claims, zoning and building code enforcement, mental health and alcohol commitments, open meetings, public records, and the day-to-day business of the county. 4. Completes project-oriented work in assigned practice areas. 5. Prepares memoranda of law, opinion letters, and correspondence. 6. Provides legal counsel and representation in judicial and administrative proceedings in state and federal courts. Responsible for all aspects of case preparation and management from first client contact through trial and appeal. Drafts and files legal documents and prepares questions and arguments necessary for discovery, hearings or trials. 7. Drafts and reviews resolutions for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). 8. Drafts and reviews contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, and the like. 9. Participates in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences, client meetings, and/or meetings with members of the public. Assistant County Attorney I, II, III Date Updated 110511 KLR 2
10. Provides other legal services as requested by the County Attorney or Deputy County Attorney. 11. Attends meetings as directed with other governmental entities, agencies, organizations, and professional associations. 12. Maintains satisfactory working relationship with county departments, offices, and agencies, elected officials, court and court staff, opposing counsel, all fellow employees, and all others with whom contact is had in this professional capacity. 13. Utilizes Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Utilizes Laserfiche document management software. Conducts computer-based legal research. Proficient in electronic case filing systems for state and federal courts. Utilizes state court and state agency computer systems. Learns additional software as needed. 14. Drives vehicle to perform one or more essential functions. 15. Reviews all work products to ensure highest level of quality. 16. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned. Assistant County Attorney III: 1. Performs all essential functions of the Assistant County Attorney I and II. 2. Advises county departments, offices and agencies, elected officials and County appointed advisory boards and commissions on legal aspects of local government as assigned. 3. Researches and interprets the law as it applies to county government in multiple practice areas as assigned. Areas may include but are not limited to land use, special districts, water law, contracts and procurement, property valuation and assessment, taxes (property, sales and use), financing and budgeting, roads, bridges, and transportation, Taxpayer s Bill of Rights (TABOR), liquor licensing, elections, employment law, civil litigation, constitutional claims, zoning and building code enforcement, mental health and alcohol commitments, open meetings, public records, and the day-to-day business of the county. 4. Completes project-oriented work in assigned practice areas. 5. Prepares memoranda of law, opinion letters, and correspondence. 6. Provides legal counsel and representation in judicial and administrative proceedings in state and federal courts. Responsible for all aspects of case preparation and management from first client contact through trial and appeal. Drafts and files legal documents and prepares questions and arguments necessary for discovery, hearings or trials. 7. Drafts and reviews resolutions and occasional ordinances for presentation to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). 8. Drafts and reviews contracts, intergovernmental agreements, memoranda of understanding, and the like. 9. Participates in negotiations, mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences, client meetings, and/or meetings with members of the public. 10. Provides other legal services as requested by the County Attorney or Deputy County Attorney. 11. Attends meetings as directed with other governmental entities, agencies, organizations, and professional associations. 12. Maintains satisfactory working relationship with county departments, offices, and agencies, elected officials, court and court staff, opposing counsel, all fellow employees, and all others with whom contact is had in this professional capacity. 13. Utilizes Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Utilizes Laserfiche document management software. Conducts computer-based legal research. Proficient in electronic case filing systems for state and federal courts. Utilizes state court and state agency computer systems. Learns additional software as needed. 14. Drives vehicle to perform one or more essential functions. 15. Reviews all work products to ensure highest level of quality. 16. Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned. Assistant County Attorney I, II, III Date Updated 110511 KLR 3
Job Qualifications: Assistant County Attorney I, II, and III: Knowledge of: 1. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, or statutes. 2. Judicial rules of practice and procedure. 3. Trial and appellate practice. 4. Transactional practice. 5. Drafting of all legal documents. 6. Legal research methods. 7. Modern office processes and procedures. 8. Relevant computer hardware and software applications. 9. Refer to minimum requirements regarding Assistant County Attorney I, II, and III. Ability to: 1. Speak, read and write the English language. 2. Communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing 3. Review and examine legal data and evidence. 4. Make legal recommendations to the County Attorney, Deputy County Attorney, BOCC, Elected Officials, and administrative departments. 5. Operate effectively in high-stress, high-conflict situations. 6. Analyze case law and statutes and master new areas of statutory and regulatory law. 7. Accurately proofread own work and the work of others, as requested. 8. Assemble evidence to formulate defense or initiate legal or administrative action. 9. Plan and carry out projects to their completion. 10. Prioritize job tasks and manage individual work environment and time schedule. 11. Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the County Attorney s Office, with clients, outside counsel, and the Court. 12. Understand and practice safety procedures and precautions. 13. Maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality. Internal & External Contacts: Internal Contacts: Frequently interacts with elected officials, department heads and numerous County employees in client and other departments of County government as well as all staff of the County Attorney s Office. The employee meets on a regular schedule with the BOCC, Planning Commission, Board of Review and Board of Adjustment. External Contacts: Frequently interacts with members of the public who are witnesses in legal proceedings or attendants at BOCC and other public meetings and administrative hearings and individuals who are seeking information regarding general County and client department matters; private bar and public attorneys; land use non-attorney professionals; other government employees; judges, court personnel, expert witnesses and pro se litigant. Physical Activities and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Assistant County Attorney I, II, III Date Updated 110511 KLR 4
Required Physical Activities: While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk or hear, use hands and fingers, stoop and kneel and reach with hands or arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to read and work at a computer for extended periods of time. The employee is often required to work extended hours as necessary to prepare and prosecute court and administrative cases and complete other job duties. The employee is routinely required to lift 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee regularly transports documents to and from the County Courthouse and other locations, using a wheeled luggage carrier or brief case. Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is moderate. There are frequent interruptions and multiple demands. Required Travel: The employee is occasionally required to travel. Computers, Software, and Office Equipment: Personal Computer and relevant software applications; telephone system; facsimile; scanner; copier; shredder; audio recording device; and other standard equipment. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Nothing in this job description restricts Garfield County s ability to assign, reassign or eliminate duties and responsibilities of this job at any time. It does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description describes the County s current assignment of essential functions. Those functions may change at any time as the needs of the County change or for other reasons deemed appropriate by the County. Assistant County Attorney I, II, III Date Updated 110511 KLR 5