County Attorney

Cobar; Golden (CO); On-site; USD 270,000 - 295,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Car allowance

HSA and FSA options

Life and AD&D insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement savings plans

Executive paid time off

Paid holidays

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

401(a) retirement plan

Job summary

Jefferson County is seeking a County Attorney to serve as the county's chief legal officer and principal legal adviser to the Board of County Commissioners. The County Attorney provides strategic legal counsel to elected and appointed officials and leads the County Attorney's Office in delivering comprehensive legal services.

The role requires a J.D. and 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, admission to the Colorado Bar, and good standing before federal courts; the position

Qualifications

• J.D. required and 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience.
• Colorado Bar admission at time of hire and membership in good standing of the US District Court for the District of Colorado and the Tenth Circuit at hire.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Jefferson County's chief legal officer and principal legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners.
• Lead the County Attorney's Office and oversee delivery of comprehensive legal services across the organization.
• Balance legal risk with operational needs and public accountability to support governance.

Skills

Leadership & governance

Strategic counsel

Public-sector law

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Colorado Bar admission

Job description

The Position

The County Attorney serves as Jefferson County's chief legal officer and principal legal advisor and reports directly to the Board of County Commissioners. The County Attorney provides strategic legal counsel to the Board of County Commissioners, elected and appointed officials, and County leadership. As a key member of the County's executive leadership, the County Attorney plays an important role in navigating complex legal and organizational issues and supporting effective governance.

The County Attorney leads the County Attorney's Office and oversees the delivery of comprehensive legal services across the organization. The position anticipates legal and organizational challenges, protects and vigorously represents the County's interests, and helps leaders identify legally sound and practical paths to advance County priorities. Success in this role requires balancing legal risk, operational needs, public accountability, and effective governance while leading a responsive, collaborative, and high-performing legal organization.

Qualifications

This position requires a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and 10 years of progressively responsible legal experience, preferably including local government experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. Candidates must be admitted to the Colorado Bar at the time of hire and be members in good standing of the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit at the time of hire.

Preferred qualifications

include supervisory and leadership experience; experience serving at the assistant, deputy, senior, or comparable level in a city, county, or other complex public-sector legal organization; and demonstrated experience providing or overseeing legal counsel across a broad range of local government matters. Relevant areas may include land use and development, human and social services, contracts and procurement, employment and labor, public works and infrastructure, environmental matters, taxation and finance, elections, open meetings and public records, litigation, risk management, and other areas affecting county operations. Candidates are not expected to have direct expertise in every area; rather, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the breadth of experience and judgment necessary to lead a comprehensive public-sector legal practice and effectively oversee specialized legal counsel.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $270,000 - $295,000, depending on qualifications, accompanied by a comprehensive executive benefits package.

Benefits include:

• medical, dental, and vision coverage
• a car allowance
• HSA and FSA options
• life and AD&D insurance
• disability insurance
• retirement savings plans
• executive paid time off
• paid holidays
• an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Jefferson County also provides a 401(a) retirement plan administered by the Colorado Retirement Association (CRA).

Residency within Jefferson County following employment is strongly encouraged, with relocation assistance available in connection with establishing County residency.