Paralegal Lake County

Fremont Economic Development Corporation; Leadville (CO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government entity in Colorado seeks a Paralegal or Legal Assistant to provide essential legal and administrative support. Responsibilities include assisting in legal research, preparing legal documents, and managing public records. The ideal candidate will have a certificate in paralegal studies and strong organizational skills. This position requires effective communication with various stakeholders and tight attention to detail.

Qualifications

• Certificate or degree in paralegal studies, legal assistant program, or related field; or equivalent experience within a legal environment.
• Strong proficiency in document management systems and legal research tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing memoranda, pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence for civil cases and administrative matters.
• Maintain files, ensuring that documents are properly tracked and accessible.
• Draft, review, manage and organize contract documents and agreements.

Skills

Legal research

Document management

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Understanding of local government law

Education

Certificate or degree in paralegal studies or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Paralegal or Legal Assistant will provide essential legal and administrative support to the Lake County Attorney, assisting in civil and administrative matters such as land use, property tax, elections, employment, open records compliance, contracts and civil litigation. This role ensures efficient legal operations and supports timely and accurate delivery of legal services across county departments.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Legal Support & Research

• Assist in preparing memoranda, pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence for civil cases and administrative matters.
• Conduct legal research and summarize local ordinances, statutes, regulations, and case law pertinent to county governance, land use, and other departmental needs.
• Prepare drafts of legal documents and correspondence for the County Attorney.

Case & Records Management

• Organize and maintain files, ensuring that documents—including discovery materials and evidence for cases—are properly tracked and accessible.
• Manage public records requests under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) in collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office.

Contracts & Administrative Documents

• Draft, review, manage and organize contract documents, agreements, and resolutions across county departments, ensuring legal compliance and proper record-keeping.

Correspondence & Communication

• Draft official correspondence and communications under attorney supervision.
• Coordinate with internal county staff, departments, and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and compliance with county policies and procedures.

Office & Workflow Coordination

• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the County Attorney, including file organization, task management and reporting.
• Assist in scheduling meetings and coordinating with County Attorney, County Officials and Department Directors, while monitoring deadlines (.g., filing and court schedules).

Occasional Litigation Support & Trial Preparation

• Participate in trial preparation, including organizing exhibits, preparing trial binders, and coordinating with witnesses or court clerks.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Not applicable

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Certificate or degree in paralegal studies, legal assistant program, or related field; or equivalent experience within a legal environment.

Technical Skills & Tools

• Strong proficiency in document management systems, legal research tools, and Microsoft Office suite.

Knowledge & Abilities

• A strong understanding of legal procedures, terminology, and specific areas of local government law.
• Familiarity or capability to learn Colorado statutes and regulations (land use, property tax, governmental procedures).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting legal documents and interacting with various stakeholders.
• Superior organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, meet deadlines, and prioritize workloads.

Professionalism & Ethics

• Demonstrated discretion, tact, and ethical responsibility in handling sensitive or confidential information.

Hazard Notice

Work is primarily office-based with minimal physical hazards. Potential risks include ergonomic strain from prolonged computer use, stress from deadlines and financial reporting, and occasional high-pressure interactions with the public or staff. Limited travel to offsite meetings may also occur. Employees are expected to follow safety practices and request accommodation as needed.

Physical Activity & Work Environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, or reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, or moving objects.
• Use of hands for repetitive motions such as typing, writing, or operating equipment.
• Operation of standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers, etc.).
• Visual acuity to read and produce accurate documents and materials.
• Hearing ability sufficient to respond to spoken communication.
• Standard office environment with controlled temperature and lighting.
• Interaction with the public, sometimes in high-pressure or emotionally charged situations.
• Occasional travel to offsite locations or satellite facilities.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.