Assistant County Attorney

Pay Range:

$3,211.00 - $3,777.65 Bi-weekly (DOE)

MONTROSE COUNTY BENEFIT INFORMATION:

2024 Montrose County Benefit Information

General Statement of Duties: Serves as a legal advisor to various county departments. Manages designated legal affairs as assigned by the County Attorney. Assures that the Board of County Commissioners and other County offices as authorized by the Board are properly represented in all legal proceedings.

Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the County Attorney and establishes methods and procedures for attaining specific goals and objectives and receives guidance in terms of broad goals.

Supervision Exercised: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions: Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all duties which may be found in positions of this class.

• Assists the County Attorney with the practice of law for Montrose County in the areas of land use, planning, zoning regulations, personnel and employment, bond financing, property acquisition, condemnation and sale, taxations, etc.
• Conducts legal research and preparation of litigation and appeals, drafts or reviews drafts of legal documents and consults with members of the public and county staff as necessary in the judgment of attorney in the performance of legal representation of the County.
• Advises County divisions/offices concerning legal rights, obligations, procedures and privileges; study constitution, statutes, decisions and ordinances; examine legal data to determine advisability of defending or prosecuting lawsuits.
• May be designated to perform social services legal functions; including child support enforcement and child welfare.
• Provides statutory and case law interpretations to County administration and operational staff.
• Serves as active counsel and/or counsel of record in litigation for the County as client in legal actions or court cases.
• Conducts criminal enforcement actions of County ordinances, zoning resolution and civil lawsuits, draw up legal documents, advises clients as to legal rights, and practices other phases of law.
• Assembles evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal action; represent clients in court and before quasi-judicial and administrative agencies of government.
• May act as the agent of the County in various negotiations or transactions, or in dealing with the media concerning legal matters.
• Provides functional support in the areas of purchasing, contracting, personnel administration, etc. as required to insure full staff services and support to Board of County Commissioner and other elected County officials as authorized by the Board.
• Confers with other governmental agencies (state, federal and county) on legal matters or cases.
• Assists in ensuring that the County faithfully performs pursuant to federal, state and local statutes, regulations and ordinances.
• Reviews new case law and legislation for impact on County business.
• Provides legal representation for Board of County Commissioners and, as authorized by the Board, for, elected officials, department heads, and department employees who, when in the course of performing their official County duties, are names as individuals in a lawsuit.
• Regular and predictable attendance is required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Education: A Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school. Licensed to practice in the State of Colorado or able to become licensed in Colorado if licensed in another state.

Experience: Minimum of two (2) years experience in the practice of law is preferred. Public entity experience is preferred. Negotiation, facilitation, and arbitration experience in both legal and administrative/policy-making setting essential. Superior litigation skills preferred. Expertise in land use, employment, contracts, social services and aviation law desirable.

Required Knowledge: Understanding of the role as employee for a publicly-funded governmental entity. Knowledge of state and federal laws and how they affect county government. Knowledge of County resolutions and charter provisions particularly as relating to the authority and function of County departments, agencies and boards. Knowledge of judicial procedures, rules of evidence and methods of legal research. Must understand the confidential nature of the office.

Language Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in a variety of written formats. Must be able to interpret, apply, explain and enforce all applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures to a wide range of audiences and levels of knowledge. Ability to assemble, organize and present statistical, financial and technical information derived from a variety of sources. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex and technical documents including contracts, maps, and complex management and financial reports and respond to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to read, comprehend and translate information relayed in written or graphic format. Must be able to write policies, procedures, correspondences, complaints, motions, briefs and other litigation documents. Ability to prepare industry specific technical reports and budgeting information. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, federal, state and county officials, employees, community agencies and the public.

Interpersonal Skills: Must possess the ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other agencies and organizations and members of the community. Work with the media to maintain a positive image of the County to the community. Interact professionally and diplomatically with County employees, other agencies and organizations and members of the community and manage difficult or emotional customer situations. Possess the ability to recognize when confidentiality is required and maintain strict confidentiality. Must be able to diffuse the most intense situation with diplomacy and professionalism. Must have the acumen to navigate political waters of the County and other outside agencies and organizations. Demonstrate a commitment to the County’s mission, values and core beliefs. Provide leadership, guidance and feedback to ensure continual quality improvement and respect the experience, cultural and overall diversity of those you lead and interact with.

Mathematical Skills: Must have the ability to work with basic mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Skills: Must be able make rational decisions through sound logical and deductive processes and make sound judgments, decision making, problem solving, while planning directing and monitoring the work of the agency. Must be able to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and recommend or implement best options in support of strategic goals and objectives. Consider concrete and abstract variables. Must have the ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in difficult and complex cases and present material in a clear and logical form, including oral and written presentations, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions. Must be able to successfully manage multiple projects and complete work under pressure pursuant to deadlines.

Office Technology/Computer Skills: Must be able to effectively use typical office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must be proficient in word processing, database manipulation, spread sheets, email, and the knowledge to save and retrieve documents from a variety of destinations and sources with a high degree of accuracy. Must be able to learn the software and programs related to the position and the County. This person should also have excellent legal. Research skills with electronic programs such as Casemaker, Lexis-Nexis, Westlaw or similar tools.

Physical Demands: The physical demands 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 individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and stand for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to stand, walk, climb or balance, twist, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Must be able to respond to the customers’ needs and perform tasks requiring extensive hand and eye coordination. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other devices and objects. The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Physical ability and mobility to drive a motor vehicle to and from field and meetings as required. Ability to navigate uneven terrain. Ability to work extended shifts and attend training and meetings outside of regularly scheduled hours and the ability to work in stressful situations.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Ability to tolerate and be productive in a quiet to moderate noise level in the work place. Employee will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field such as driving and inclement weather and potential hostile clientele.

Special Requirements: Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.