Assistant County Attorney I

Application closing date: 2/6/2026

Hiring pay range: $92,310.40 - $113,089.60

Full salary range: $92,310.40 - $133,848.00

Supervision

Non-Supervisory

General Purpose Of Job

Assist the County Attorney in providing legal advice and representation in routine matters to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), other County Elected Officials, and administrative departments. Practice areas may grow substantially over time.

Essential Job Functions

(These duties are illustrative of typical essential responsibilities of the job, and may vary according to assignment)

Assistant County Attorney I

• For those postings for a DHS Attorney:
• Represents the Garfield County Department of Human Services in child welfare proceedings in juvenile court and related administrative venues.
• Represents the Garfield County Department of Human Services, Child Support Enforcement Unit, in child support proceedings in judicial and administrative venues.
• Represents the People of the State of Colorado in Mental Health proceedings.
• Represents the Garfield County Department of Human Services in adult guardianship and adult protection proceedings.
• Responsible for all aspects of case preparation including motions, responses to motions, witness interviews, depositions, trials, appeals and all related tasks.
• Prepares for and appears before the Board of County Commissioners, as requested.
• Cross trains to become familiar with and competent in specialty legal areas.
• Reviews all work product to ensure highest level of quality.
• Takes initiative in asking for assistance and identifying own training needs.
• Advises county departments, offices and agencies, elected officials and County appointed advisory boards and commissions on legal aspects of local government, as assigned.
• Completes project-oriented work in assigned practice areas.
• Maintains satisfactory working relationship with county departments, offices, and agencies, elected officials, court/court staff, opposing counsel, all fellow employees, and all others with whom contact is had in this professional capacity.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as assigned.
  

Core Competencies

(Representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of the position)

• Public Service: A commitment to the mission of providing exceptional services to the citizens of Garfield County. It is who we are, and what we do.
• Customer Service: A commitment to providing exceptional service to all customers (internal & external), which includes being helpful, professional, courteous, and taking the time to understand customer’s needs. Operate effectively in high stress and high conflict situations.
• Stewardship & Innovation: Is a good steward of public resources and looks for ways to be innovative and improve efficiency.
• Teamwork: Able to work together with a diverse group of people towards a shared goal, while considering the needs of others. Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the County Attorney’s Office, clients, all county employees, and the Court.
• Business Technology: Ability to utilize the technology required of the position and demonstrates a willingness to learn new technologies as required to assist the County in providing exceptional services, innovation, and work efficiencies.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively using the English language, including written, verbal, or other communication channels as required by the position. Accurately proofread own work and the work of others, as requested.
• Analytical Thinking: Able to consider the best approach and investigate alternatives. Analyze case law and statutes and master new areas of statutory and regulatory law.
• Legal Expertise: Legal experience must be in a significant number of the following areas of practice: sovereign immunity, open meetings/open records, and eminent domain; administrative law; civil rights; law enforcement; family law; child welfare and adult protection; County health and human services; employment; County budget and finances; local government budget and audit laws; property valuation and taxation, collection, and mill levies; collections; election law; land use; real estate transactions; contracts; telecommunications; public utilities; annexation; oil and gas and other extractive industries; Colorado water law; road law; airport law; zoning code enforcement; intellectual property; and related areas.
• Knowledge of: Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and statutes; trial and appellate practice or transactional practice; drafting legal documents; competence in legal research.
• Time Management: Prioritize job tasks and manage induvial work environment and time schedule. Plan and carry out projects to their completion in a timely manner.
• Court Practices: Detailed and extensive knowledge of state and federal court practices and procedures, (including Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure and Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct) rules of evidence, and discovery. Preparation of trial and appellate court litigation and appeals and preparation of administrative hearings. Has interview, negotiation, and facilitation skills.
  
  

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, Dental
• Disability & Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Employee Gyms
  
  

To view the complete benefits information, please visit https://www.garfieldcountyco.gov/human-resources/benefits-brochure/