County Attorney

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

Job summary

Jefferson County seeks a County Attorney to serve as the chief legal officer and principal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners. The role leads the County Attorney’s Office, providing strategic legal counsel to elected officials and county leadership while balancing risk, accountability, and governance.

The position offers an executive benefits package and emphasizes public-sector leadership, broad expertise across local government matters, and the ability to guide complex legal

Qualifications

• J.D. required and must be admitted to the Colorado Bar at time of hire.
• Experience in local government or public sector preferred.
• Ability to oversee a large public legal team and advise elected officials.

Responsibilities

• Serve as chief legal officer and principal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners.
• Lead and oversee the County Attorney’s Office delivering comprehensive legal services.
• Balance legal risk, operations, public accountability and governance for County priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Public governance

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.

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; and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Jefferson County also provides a 401(a) retirement plan administered by the Colorado Retirement Association (CRA).

For additional information about Jefferson County’s employee benefits, visit Employment Benefits and Total Rewards.

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

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

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.