Description:

General Statement of Duties: This position will be primarily assigned to represent the Department of Human Services in child welfare cases, but representation of other departments may be assigned, depending on availability and interest.

Provide legal services to the Department of Human Services in all aspects of dependency and neglect cases and appeals, delinquency cases, child support, adult protection, and various administrative matters. Trains and partners with DHS caseworkers. Prosecutes dependency and neglect cases. Represents A Government Entity in child support enforcement. Drafts and responds to motions; researches legal issues; analyzes cases; prepares cases for hearing and presents evidence including witness testimony at various hearings which may include but are not limited to, adjudicatory trials and termination of parental rights trials. Researches and prepares appellate briefs for the Colorado Court of Appeals and the Colorado Supreme Court.

Other assigned duties may include providing legal services to assigned County departments and the Board of Commissioners which may include research, all aspects of litigation, policy review, and general legal advice regarding current issues under consideration by the County.

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.

Provide representation in all aspects of the dependency and neglect caseload, including drafting any necessary motions, pleadings and appeals, preparing for and litigating hearings and trials.
Provide representation in all aspects of adult protection cases, child support enforcement cases, administrative matters and similar cases as assigned.
Advise County staff on process and procedures relating to subpoenas and discovery requests.
Provide legal advice to Human Services as required on a daily basis.
Trains Child Welfare caseworkers on Colorado's Children's Code, Dependency and Neglect and Delinquency procedures. Prepares cases for filing and prosecutes Dependency and Neglect cases. Prepares witnesses, exhibits and presents cases to court.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing with Human Services, court clerks, judges, opposing counsel, and other professionals.
Maintain professional competence and training by attending related, ongoing continuing legal education trainings.
Assists County Attorney and Chief Deputy County Attorneys as assigned. Duties may include providing legal services to assigned County departments and the Board of Commissioners which may include research, all aspects of litigation, policy review, and general legal advice regarding current issues under consideration by the County.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

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.

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.

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 modern office technology and equipment, including computers, calculators, telephone, copiers with scanning and faxing capabilities. Must be proficient in word processing, AdobePro, 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, Westlaw or Lexis-Nexis.

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 i