Assistant County Attorney / Associate County Attorney

Moore County; North Carolina; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Moore County Government seeks an attorney to provide broad legal services supporting County operations. The candidate will advise on planning and zoning, contracts, and real property, and work with County departments and boards to ensure legal compliance.

Ideal candidates will have a Juris Doctorate and valid NC license, with experience in public sector law and strong research, drafting, and advocacy skills.

Qualifications

• JD from an accredited law school and NC bar license.
• Experience in local government law and related practice areas.
• Proven ability to conduct legal research and advise on compliance and policy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and provide opinions on federal, state, and local laws affecting County operations.
• Advise County departments, boards and officials on legal compliance and policy enforcement.
• Review subpoenas and assist with public records requests.
• Prepare staff for hearings by reviewing evidence and coordinating witnesses.
• Draft resolutions, MOUs, MOAs, contracts, interlocal agreements, pleadings, motions and briefs.
• Provide legal education to County officials and employees.
• Attend planning board and other board meetings as assigned.
• Continue legal education and attend professional meetings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the County Attorney.

Skills

Legal research and analysis

Oral advocacy

Written communication

Policy analysis

Contract drafting

Public records requests

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Planning & zoning knowledge

NC law license

Education

Juris Doctorate (JD)

Job description

At Moore County Government, public service is more than a job, it's an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community we serve. Our employees bring their skills, ideas, and experience together to provide essential services, strengthen our community, and help Moore County thrive. We value professionalism, teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to serving our County with excellence.

One attorney position is available for either Assistant or Associate County Attorney depending on qualifications and experience. The right candidate will be a valued team member who seeks to foster a positive and collaborative work environment and who approaches responsibilities with a positive, solution-oriented mindset.

The attorney is expected to provide a broad range of legal services directed at promoting the mission, vision, core values, and public service objectives of Moore County. Experience in planning and zoning, contracts, and real property are preferred.

Duties

• Conduct legal research and provide legal opinions regarding federal, state, and local laws affecting County operations
• Advise County departments, boards, and officials regarding legal compliance, policy and ordinance implementation, and operational matters
• Review and respond to subpoenas and assist departments with public records requests
• Prepare County staff for hearings and legal proceedings by reviewing evidence, coordinating witnesses, and providing legal guidance
• Draft resolutions, MOUs, MOAs, contracts, interlocal agreements, pleadings, motions, briefs
• Provide legal education and training to County officials and employees
• Attend planning board and other board meetings as assigned
• Attend professional meetings and continue legal education programs
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the County Attorney

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legal principles, precedents, practices, and procedures applicable to local government law and assigned areas of practice
• Knowledge of judicial procedures, rules of evidence, and courtroom practices
• Ability to conduct legal research, analyze facts and evidence, and apply legal principles to complex legal matters
• Skilled in preparing legal documents, including pleadings, motions, orders, briefs, contracts, legal opinions, policies, ordinances, and resolutions
• Ability to present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and persuasively before courts, boards, and administrative bodies
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships with County officials, employees, court personnel, attorneys, and the public
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, exercise sound judgement, and maintain confidentiality
• Graduation from an accredited school of law with a Juris Doctorate degree and two (2) years of experience practicing law
• Must possess and maintain a valid North Carolina driver's license
• Must be currently licensed to practice law in North Carolina
• This is sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects; work requires walking, fingering, grasping, and repetitive motions; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, operation of machines, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities; the worker is not subject to adverse environmental conditions.

The County of Moore is a drug-free workplace and Equal Opportunity employer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Moore County will employ only those individuals who are U.S. citizens or legal aliens authorized to maintain employment in the United States.

All applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to a background check, pre-employment drug test and post offer physical.

Moore County is an E-Verify Participant.