County Attorney

Position Summary
The County Attorney serves as the legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners of Lake County (“Board”) and, upon the consent or direction of the Board, all elected officials, county departments and to Board appointed commissions and boards. The County Attorney exercises all legal and administrative functions of the County government assigned by law or the Board, manages all legal affairs in which Lake County may be involved and assures that all contracts, deeds, bonds, and other official documents are approved for form and are valid and enforceable.

General Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties

• Provide legal advice, counsel and guidance to the Board and other elected officials when there is no conflict with representation of the Board; county agencies/departments, and other Board appointed commissions or boards, including without limitation:
• Working the Board when acting as the Board of Health on any public health issues that may arise, including, but not limited to OWTS issues, regulation revisions and enforcement, and pandemic issues.
• Working with the Sheriff’s Office related to records requests, red-flag protection orders, consults regarding specific encounters related to public safety and detention issues.
• Working with the Treasurer on lien and taxation issues and litigation as requested.
• Working with the Assessor on assessment issues, including BAA appeals and property disputes as requested.
• Working with the Clerk and Recorder on election related, recording and contracting matters as requested.
• Working with the Coroner on contracts and when issues arise pertaining to handling of decedents and their personal effects.
• Attend regular, special and other Board and Planning Commission meetings and work sessions and advises on the use of executive sessions when necessary.
• Research, draft and/or review all resolutions, ordinances, policies and legal opinions for the Board and other elected officials and departments as necessary.
• Research laws, regulations, statutes, rules and precedent in order to ensure compliance and provide advice and opinions as to how such laws, regulations, statutes, rules or precedent apply to county issues and policy.
• Negotiate, draft and/or review all contracts, intergovernmental agreements, Memoranda of Understanding or other legally binding agreements.
• Represent, or coordinate representation through outside counsel, Lake County, county officials or employees in litigation or enforcement actions including Department of Social Services child welfare and adult protection matters and appeals when necessary.
• Monitor changes in statutes and case law for impact on county government, county officials and departments and advise the Board of same.
• Develop legal compliance training as needed for elected officials, staff or the Board.
• Identify, recommend, develop and implement policies, procedures and practices to reduce the County’s exposure to legal liability and to proactively find solutions to existing or emerging issues.
• Receive, review and process public records requests under the Colorado Open Records Act and Criminal Justice Records Act.
• Directs the development and administration of the county attorney’s office budget, including appropriate budgetary controls; ensures that budget expenditures conform with approved funding; determines appropriate levels of service; analyzes fiscal and service data to develop cost efficiencies while maintaining program effectiveness and superior customer service.
• Work closely with and provide legal guidance and advice to the County Manager and their staff on operational issues and interactions with other elected officials and special districts that affect Lake County government, as well as daily decisions made regarding such things as planning, CORA requests, agendas, resolutions, ordinances, finance, and overall land use matters.
• Work directly with the Human Resources Department (HR) on any and all HR matters that arise throughout the County, including hiring and termination, complaints, statutory compliance, disputes, wage issues and HR policies.
• Work with Community Planning and Development (“CPD”) Staff regarding Land Use Code revisions or additions, review of Land Use applications, Staff Reports and presentations concerning matters for submittal to Planning Commission and/or Board and collaborate when appropriate on presentations on Land Use Code or Master Plan topics or issues. Assist CPD with Code Enforcement issues including reviewing Notices prepared by Land Use Staff or Building Inspector and provide appropriate legal opinions as required.
• Work with Public Works on procurement matters and interpretation of applicable law applicable to their areas of responsibility, including without limitation road/right of ways and landfill matters.
• Plans, organizes, directs, staffs and controls the programs, projects, functions, activities and services of the County Attorney’s office; directs operations to maximize efficiency, improve service levels, reduce administrative and service provision costs, and ensure effective utilization of available resources; exercises good judgment and makes sound business decisions; provides strategic leadership through communication, demonstration, and accomplishment of the county’s overall mission, vision, and values.
• Directly supervises and provides leadership, guidance and support to the Deputy County Attorney and administrative staff assigned to the County Attorney’s office and directs their work activities, ensuring a high level of performance and compliance with County, State and Federal rules and regulations. Assists staff in objectively evaluating work progress and offers additional resources and insight when possible, promoting activities and strategies that align with office and county goals.
• Develops and maintains cooperative and collaborative working relationships with federal, state and county officials, other local government entities, community groups, and the public; responds appropriately to inquiries and/or complaints regarding assigned activities; attends meetings, conferences and trainings; supports and/or serves on committees, teams and task forces as required.
• Will report to the Board on workflow and prioritization of tasks on a regular basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position works under the direction and policy guidance of the Board. May supervise Deputy County Attorneys, administrative or other staff assigned to assist the County Attorney’s office.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school.
• Member of the bar in good standing in Colorado and admitted to practice before the courts of the State of Colorado for at least five (5) years immediately prior to their appointment and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of law during such five years that includes high level program or operations management; experience working in a governmental organization or understanding of governmental requirements and regulations preferred.
• Two years full time experience supervising and managing employees that include directing work activities and evaluating employee performance.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license.
• The employee is regularly required to travel within the County and on occasion outside of the County when court or other situations require.

• Detailed and extensive knowledge of local government statutory powers, duties, government functions, responsibilities, and liabilities; advanced principles and practices of civil, constitutional, and administrative law; and current social, political, and economic issues and trends associated with administration of a county government in the State of Colorado.
• Advanced ability and experience performing conclusive legal research related to a variety of areas including but not limited to land use and planning; personnel issues; road rights-of-way and threats to public access; local government powers; property tax issues; contracts; law enforcement issues; child welfare; election laws.
• Well-developed analytical and evaluative skills and ability to understand, interpret and apply legal codes, regulations, and requirements pertaining to the administration of county government and provide sound legal advice to government officials on a wide variety of circumstances and situations.
• Ability to organize thoughts and materials well and to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, including use of effective techniques for speaking before groups and making public presentations.
• Ability to interact with others effectively and cooperatively.
• Ability to analyze data quickly and thoroughly and respond to requests for opinions on the spot.
• Ability to define complex problems, negotiate solutions to complex issues and prepare effective solutions or strategies.
• Ability to articulate the potential legal consequences of political and/or business decisions and separate the role of County Attorney as legal advisor and decision maker from those of other non-legal advisors and decision makers.
• Speak, read and write the English language.
• Possess a high level of professionalism and commitment to ethical conduct and confidentiality.
• Ability to perform all duties associated with the County Attorney’s office including administrative functions such as copying, filing and e-filing, mailing, preparation for court hearings or trials, preparation of all documents, proofreading, calendaring, etc.
• Able to work effectively under pressure of deadlines.
• Self-directed and able to effectively manage time so that tasks are completed in an efficient manner and deadlines are met.

The physical activities 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.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear, use hands and fingers, stoop and kneel and reach with hands or arms. The employee is required to read and work at a computer for extended periods of time. The job often requires extended work hours as necessary to complete job duties. Routinely required to lift 15 pounds; occasionally required to lift or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet. There are frequent interruptions and multiple demands.

Tools and Equipment Used

Computer and relevant software applications; telephone system; facsimile; scanner; copier. Must have knowledge and ability to perform on-line legal research and e-file documents with the Courts.

Selection Guidelines 
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that this position may be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check and job-related tests may all be required.

All job descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been included. Requirements, skills and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the position. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities and requirements be interpreted as all-inclusive. The County Attorney may perform additional functions and requirements as deemed appropriate by the Board.

In accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which may pose undue hardships on the organization.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the need of the employer and requirements of the job change. 

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list 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.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.