County Attorney

Live and play in beautiful Chaffee County! Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Chaffee County offers an exceptional lifestyle that blends natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and a tight-knit community.

TO APPLY APPLICANTS MUST OBTAIN, COMPLETE, AND SUBMIT A CHAFFEE COUNTY GENERAL EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION to careers@chaffeecounty.org. The application for employment can be accessed at www.chaffeecounty.org/Finance-and-HR-Employment-Opportunities. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL A COUNTY APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED.

In addition, your resume, letter of interest and a writing sample is requested.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The County Attorney is the chief legal representative of Chaffee County providing legal advice and representation to the Board and other elected officials including the Sheriff, Assessor, Treasurer, Clerk and Recorder and Coroner. Upon request and in coordination with the County Administrator, provides legal support for County Boards, Commissions, and various departments, including Planning and Zoning, Road and Bridge, Human Services, Finance, Human Resources, and others. The County Attorney represents the County in connection with civil litigation, administrative proceedings, settlement discussions and similar adversary proceedings. The Attorney has supervisory and operational control over outside legal representation on behalf of the Board and represented parties. This position leads, mentors and manages the employees of the County Attorney’s Office.

The County Attorney, or their delegate such as Deputy County Attorney or Assistant County Attorney, will serve as legal expert and counsel for land use code applications, in collaboration with the Planning and Zoning department. The County Attorney or their delegate represents the County in child support and child welfare; dependency and neglect cases and adult protection cases, in collaboration with the County Department of Human Services. The County Attorney also advises and may represent the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office in legal issues.

The County Attorney works onsite in the Salida Administration building. Access to offices is by a set of stairs. The County Attorney office is open 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday – Thursday. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, and requires a flexible schedule to meet the demands of the Board and the workload of the County Attorney’s Office. May require attendance at meetings outside regular working hours.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following duty statements illustrate the essential functions of the job and do not include other non-essential or marginal duties that may be required. The County reserves the right to modify, change, or add duties or essential functions of this job at any time, with or without advance notice.

• Serves as the primary legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners, may assist Board members individually with County interests, however, is accountable to the Board as a whole.
• Provides legal advice and support for the planning, development and implementation of the programs and projects of Chaffee County, as directed by the Board and in collaboration with the County Administrator and their staff.
• Meets and confers with the Board of County Commissioners, County Administrator, Department Heads, and other County staff concerning County legal matters and obligations.
• Advises the Board, Planning Commission and County staff in the interpretation and application of the Chaffee County land use code, advises on zoning regulations and property development permitting processes, and represents the County in legal disputes with regard to land use issues, zoning changes, variances, special use permits and compliance with local regulations.
• Attends weekly Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners work sessions and public meetings, County-appointed volunteer Board meetings, hearings, and other meetings as requested.
• Evaluates complex legal issues, conducts legal research, and advises the Board, other Elected Officials and appropriate County personnel on recommended or required courses of action.
• Reviews and drafts resolutions and ordinances, interprets and drafts contractual agreements, leases, intergovernmental agreements, and other documents as directed by the Board.
• Represents the Board and County government parties in complex litigation, administrative proceedings, settlement discussions, and similar adversary proceedings and monitors insured claims.
• Represents the Department of Human Services in child support and child welfare; dependency and neglect cases and adult protection cases.
• May meet and communicate with the public, other governmental entities, and when requested by the Board, the press, relating to County legal matters.
• Develops standardized templates for service contracts and purchase orders for department head and administrative use.
• Collaborates with Administration, Finance, and Human Resources to identify and resolve legal risks, concerns and interests.
• Regularly reviews new case law, statutes, and regulations that may be applicable to the County and provides advice regarding compliance with and implications of the same.
• Evaluates administrative claims against the County, notifies insurers of claims, and monitors claims handled by insurers.
• Adheres to the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. Immediately reports any discipline or sanction to the Board.
• Manages overall County Attorney Office operations to ensure effective and efficient use of staff, tools and resources.
• Leads, manages and supervises the work of the deputy, assistant, paralegal and contract attorneys.
• Motivates department employees, establishes work expectations, evaluates and provides work performance feedback.
• Performs administrative functions related to the County Attorney Office, including budget preparation and presentation of budget to the Board.
• Travel requirements are primarily local with infrequent regional travel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and local laws, as well as County rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of land use codes, real estate law, zoning regulations, and land use planning principles and processes.
• Broad knowledge of the principles, policies and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of technology resources to automate, keep confidential and streamline tasks, and to maintain physical and digital records.
• Proficient with Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 application suites, and Clio software.
• Establish trust, credibility, exercise discretion, ethics and integrity.
• Demonstrate confidence and persuasion in presenting legal arguments and advocating County interests.
• Statutory interpretation, legal research analysis, and writing.
• Strong leadership and team management skills that inspire and motivate staff.
• Manage a small department to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong professional customer service skills; interact with others in a friendly, positive manner and with professional courtesy.
• Apply acquired skills in dealing with stressed or upset individuals; apply techniques to calm others and keep oneself calm during a sensitive situation.
• Identify legal issues, analyze potential solutions, and implement practical strategies to resolve complex legal challenges.
• Exercise sound and professional judgment in accordance with County policies, procedures, and ethical principles, including discretion and confidentiality, as well as moral, economic, social, and political factors.
• Prioritize, organize, and manage a high caseload with great attention to detail.
• Speak publicly with community members and the Board.
• Supervise others, delegate work and tasks.
• Operate computers and software programs; and type using a keyboard.
• Work individually and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Operate a motor vehicle for local and regional travel.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school
• Colorado State bar license in good standing with no disciplinary actions or sanctions
• Admission to practice before all Colorado State courts and the Federal Court of the District of Colorado
• Valid Colorado motor vehicle driver’s license with acceptable motor vehicle record
• 7 years of increasingly responsible legal experience
• 5 years of experience in land use, subdivision and zoning, governmental law and contracts
• 3 years of experience supervising others and managing department operations

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Prior experience as a local government attorney
• Experience with child support and child welfare; dependency and neglect cases and adult protection cases

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Operate a motor vehicle.
• Operate computer, mobile device, telephone, copier, fax machine and other office equipment.
• Conduct activities involving substantial standing, sitting, walking including up and down stairs.
• Push, pull, lift, or carry burdens weighing up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Grasp and manipulate office equipment, supplies and similar other tools and materials.
• Conduct activities involving stooping, kneeling/bending, crouching, crawling, stepping, twisting and reaching on an occasional basis.
• Hear and engage in routine conversations, in person or via telephone, and to recognize signals from phones, radios, pagers, printers, computers, and other auditory tones.
• Distinguish small objects at near and far distances in conditions of bright or low light.
• Distinguish depth and see objects in a wide field of vision.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Work is performed primarily in an indoor office environment. Some duties may be performed in a courtroom. There may be frequent local travel between County facilities by foot or motor vehicle and occasional regional travel, by motor vehicle. Heating and air conditioning are provided for individual offices. The employee may be exposed to various hazards associated with an office environment such as mechanical and electrical noise, repetitive motion tasks, stairstep use, slip or fall, lifting, prolonged sitting. When travelling, the employee may be exposed to various weather conditions and changing temperatures.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $120,000 - $160,000