Deputy County Attorney - Human Services (Hybrid Work Model)

Arapahoe County Government; Aurora (CO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Arapahoe County Government seeks a Director to lead the legal division for the Department of Human Services, directing tactical and strategic legal posture and representing the People of Colorado.

You will supervise attorneys, craft policies, manage budgets, review contracts, and provide legal advice to the DHS Director and management team. This role shapes everyday compliance and long-term governance across the county.

Qualifications

• J.D. and active Colorado law license.
• At least 10 years of legal experience with leadership.
• Experience in human services or personnel/employment law preferred.
• Ability to manage budgets and advise on policy.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage the legal position for the DHS division and represent the People of Colorado.
• Supervise Attorney Supervisors and Legal Ops/Office Manager; coordinate with County Attorney.
• Develop policies, interpret statutes, and implement procedures for the division.
• Negotiate, draft, and review DHS contracts; oversee records releases per law.
• Present reports to courts, Board of County Commissioners, and agencies.
• Oversee civil litigation and provide civil law services for the People and DHS.

Skills

Legal governance

Policy development

Budget management

Contract review

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

J.D. degree

CO bar license

10+ years legal experience

Leadership/management experience

Job description

Our Mission:

Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence, and stability of individuals and families.

Our Vision:

To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)

The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design, continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long term stability and sustainability.

The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse and building strong communities.

* Applicant must list job duties for each previous position. Applications missing this information will not be considered, and a resume along is not sufficient.*

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:

Directs and manages the tactical and strategic legal position and provides representation for the People of the State of Colorado (dependency and neglect; alcohol and mental health commitments) and the Arapahoe County Human Services Department. Works under the policy and procedure direction of the County Attorney. Exercises direct supervision of Attorney Supervisors and Legal Ops/Office Manager.

DUTIES:

• Reports to and coordinates with the County Attorney concerning all issues associated with the management of the Human Services Division of the County Attorney's Office.
• Leads and directs the efforts to establish policies and standards concerning legal position, the interpretation and application of laws and implements practice procedures.
• Plans, develops, organizes and controls the activities of the staff of the legal division for Human Services, including staff who litigate cases in the name of The People of the State of Colorado and staff who provide legal services and advice directly to the Department of Human Services.
• Provides legal advice to the Department of Human Services Director and management team on policies, procedures, interpretation of statutes and other issues.
• Supervises the release of records and other documents pursuant to state and federal law.
• Negotiates, drafts and reviews contracts for the Department of Human Services.
• Researches, prepares, submits, defends, and administers the annual departmental/divisional budget.
• Oversees the day-to-day legal practice of the attorneys assigned to various areas of legal specialty.
• Directs the preparation of reports and recommendations and presentation thereof to the Court(s), Board of County Commissioners, other agencies, etc.
• Presents complex civil law cases and/or negotiates on behalf of the client with various courts and legal representatives.
• Coordinates the delivery of civil litigation and general legal services on behalf of the People of the State of Colorado and the Human Services Department.

REQUIREMENTS:

Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• General knowledge concerning federal, state and local statutes/regulations concerning Human Services, Child Support Enforcement, Dependency and Neglect, and Alcohol and Mental Health Commitments.
• Ability to prepare Long Range plans that reflect general State and County Social Services policy and philosophy.
• Ability to prepare and administer budgets and to attain planned results. Knowledge of budget development, implementation and control.
• Knowledge of practices and procedures of financial, procurement and administrative management.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, superiors, elected officials, fellow employees and the general public.
• Skill in recognizing, investigating, and analyzing a variety of financial, operational and administrative problems and develop alternatives and appropriate solutions

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):

• Accountability
• Accessibility
• Inclusivity
• Integrity

Education and Experience:

• J.D. degree from accredited college or university
• License to practice law in the State of CO
• 10 years total legal experience which includes seven (7) years of increasingly responsible legal experience AND three (3) years of experience at a high level or supervisory, administrative or management capacity OR experience with an emphasis in human services law or personnel management/employment law.
• Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 70% of the time sitting and 30% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

• Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
• Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
• Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.

Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Privacy Rights 24 https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Privacy%20Act%20Statement.pdf

Privacy Rights 25 https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Noncriminal%20Justice%20Applicant%20Privacy%20Rights.pdf

** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.