Assistant County Attorney IV

Compensation Range$119,392.00 - $151,236.80

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Job Description SummaryOpen Until Filled


Under the direction of the County Attorney and direct report to the Deputy County Attorney, this position will provide legal advice, representation, and other legal services to Weld County Board of County Commissioners, the Weld County Sheriff's Office and other County departments. This position is intended to focus on providing legal services and support to the Weld County Sheriff's Office in all areas of law enforcement operations. This will include appearing in court on behalf of the Sheriff's office, drafting and reviewing contracts, policies and procedures, and legislation. It will also include responding to criminal justice or open record act requests, and managing outside counsel representing the office in federal litigation. In addition to the representing the Sheriff's Office, this position will be part of the General Services Division of the County Attorney's office and will assist in representing the other County departments in general civil and administrative matters.

The ideal candidate will be an articulate, decisive, and highly motivated individual who possesses excellent political acumen and awareness. The successful candidate will be able to thoroughly research and analyze problems, evaluate but not fear risk, develop sound conclusions and decisive recommendations, as well as having the ability to intelligently explain legal concepts to different levels of audiences in a clear and direct manner. This person should enjoy working in a collaborative environment and have the flexibility to adapt to changing priorities. A professional with effective communication and interpersonal skills is needed to build productive working relationships. Dedication to public service, ensuring the public’s trust, a strong work ethic, exceptional analytical skills, creativity, flexibility, and sound judgment are essential. An attorney with expertise in
the courtroom, is highly desirable.

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Job Description

Representation of the Weld County Sheriff's Office - 65%
• Research and analyze legal liability issues involving law enforcement operations and provide day-to-day advice to the Sheriff and staff regarding legal compliance.
• Assist Outside Counsel with evaluation of litigation filed against the Sheriff's Office and assist with discovery and research support.
• Draft contracts, policies, correspondence, and other documents requiring legal expertise, including possible legislation.
• Review and respond to subpoenas for records, criminal justice record requests, and open records requests.
• Represent the Sheriff's Office in court proceedings, including appearance for subpoena returns.
• Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions.
• Review policies, procedures, and training for legal compliance.

General Services, Civil, and Administration Representation - 30%
• Legal Research and Writing: Research and prepare legal briefs and memorandum on complicated legal topics requested by County Attorney on behalf of a elected official or department head. Review, research and draft legislation for issues affecting the County. Effectively use Westlaw and other appropriate legal resources to research statutes and case law.
• Case and court preparation: Conduct legal research, interview clients, prepare witnesses and handle other details in legal preparation. Develop strategy, arguments and testimony in preparation for presentation of case. May need to prepare and present bench or occasionally jury trials at the magistrate, county court or district court level.
• Open Record and Meeting laws and requests: Be familiar and able to research state open meeting, open record, and criminal justice record law requirements. Review open and criminal justice record requests to determine validity and appropriate department for response. Review responsive documents for confidentiality and necessary redactions.
• Communication: Interprets laws, rulings, and regulations for assigned elected official, department head, or law enforcement agencies. Assists citizens and departments on telephone or in person. Communicates current and anticipated problems to the County Attorney. Confers with colleagues with specialty in area to establish and verify basis for legal proceedings or other issues that arise as part of normal duties.

Other duties as assigned - 5%

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Required Qualifications

Required Education

• Juris Doctorate and 3 years practicing law

Preferred Experience

• 3 years legal practice with government entity or public type agency in either civil or criminal area and
• contract review and negotiation experience.

Skills and Abilities

• Must be proficient the use of computers and programs such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat, Westlaw, Lexis-Nexis, and electronic filing used by the various courts.

Licenses and Certifications

• Bar Admission State of Colorado Upon Hire Required

This position is exempt from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore ineligible for overtime pay.

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Weld County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.