Description
Job Description
Hybrid Position
SALARY:
Assistant City Attorney:
Anticipated Hiring Range: $101,437 - $126,796
Full Compensation Grade: $101,437 - $158,494
Senior Assistant City Attorney:
Anticipated Hiring Range: $125,371 - $156,714
Full Compensation Grade: $125,371 - $195,893
Deadline to apply: May 6th, 2025 (This position is subject to close once a qualified pool of applications has been obtained)
OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT
The Aurora City Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced water court litigator to join its growing team of talented legal professionals. The individual will represent the City of Aurora and its Utility Enterprise, Aurora Water, in Colorado Water Court litigation. The most frequently filed matters include diligence, statements of opposition, appropriative claims for direct flow and storage rights, exchanges, and adjudication of changes of water rights from irrigation to municipal use. The individuals will be expected to handle trials as lead counsel in Colorado Water Court Divisions 1, 2, and 5.The individual will have ownership of the cases and assist Aurora Water with legal matters. The individual may also advise Aurora Water on day-to-day operations, adjudication of water rights, ditch company holdings, water quality matters, and legislation. The position will be classified as either an Assistant City Attorney or a Senior Assistant City Attorney, depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.
The Aurora City Attorney’s Office follows a hybrid work structure. Employees have some required days in the office (both scheduled and as needed for case-related tasks), but can otherwise work remotely or from the office, based on the demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Effective the first day of employment, the individuals selected must maintain Colorado residency.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Serves as lead counsel and in assisting roles in all aspects of Water Court litigation, including preparation of pleadings; responses and objections; handling water court hearings; taking and defending depositions; securing experts; interviewing witnesses; updating clients; and representing Aurora Water at trial
Serves as lead counsel and in assisting roles in a variety of Colorado Water Court litigation from preparation to trial and including drafting briefs/motions, oral arguments, and appeals
Performs legal research and can succinctly draft persuasive pleadings, informative memoranda, and audience-appropriate correspondence
Advises and consults with Aurora Water staff on legal matters -- determining the nature of legal problems and counseling based on legal expertise and experience
Acts as legal counsel to Aurora Water, including providing legal advice on water rights, ditch company governance, acquisitions, intergovernmental agreements, legislation, drafting ordinances and resolutions
Review and provide feedback on proposed legislation that affects Aurora Water and its water rights and service
Represents Aurora Water in administrative hearings and rulemakings
Provides legal counsel to various Boards and Commissions
Performs direct legal service on a variety of matters concerning and/or related to the Charter, Ordinances, or rules and regulations of the City
Responds to requests from Aurora Water staff and members of City Council and presents information during City Council Meetings and Executive Sessions
Performs other related duties as assigned
This job description is not designed to cover all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.
Minimum Qualifications & Working ConditionsMinimum Qualifications & Working Conditions
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Education:
Graduation from an accredited law school.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
Applicants must be licensed to practice by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing
Applicants must be eligible to become admitted to practice in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, if not already admitted to practice in the Circuit
Experience:
For Assistant City Attorney:
3 years of experience in water litigation - Required
Prior experience assisting in water court trials -Preferred
Prior experience working with governmental entities and Colorado water law - Preferred
Subject matter experience with Colorado water law and water rights, to include: Prior Appropriation Doctrine, Change of use cases, Exchanges of water, Storage rights, Augmentation Plans, Short-term water leases, Substitute Supply Plans – Preferred
For Senior Assistant City Attorney:
7 years of experience in water litigation - Required
Prior experience acting as lead counsel or in a major assisting role in water court trials –Required
Prior experience working with governmental entities and Colorado water law – Required
Subject matter experience in most of the following areas of Colorado water law and water rights, to include: Prior Appropriation Doctrine, Change of use cases, Exchanges of water, Storage rights, Augmentation Plans, Short-term water leases, Substitute Supply Plans - Required
Subject matter experience within West Slope water issues and concerns, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes, and water quality - Preferred
Knowledge:
Knowledge of the basic substantive areas of water law and the ability to conduct legal research, and write motions and briefs
Knowledge of procedural rules, Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure, Rules of Evidence, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and local court rules
Utilizes knowledge and abilities obtained through law school education and prior legal experience to conduct research, draft legal documents, provide sound advice to City staff, and/or participate in litigation
Knowledge of general office procedures, legal terminology, legal forms, computers, including related word processing software applications, legal research, and writing
Bluebook and other similar legal citation methods
Skills:
Substantial skill in water court pleadings practice
Skill in legal research
Motivation, ability, and perseverance for courtroom/litigation duties
Teamwork, professionalism, positive attitude
Strong interpersonal skills
Skill in the use of Windows-based programs
Skilled in the use of the Westlaw legal research platform
Strong customer service skills
Abilities:
Ability to effectively litigate water cases
Demonstrated knowledge of human behavior, and the ability to effectively counsel, train, interview, and imbue others with an opinion or understanding of a concept
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management, including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Creatively solve problems, negotiate, and handle stressful situations in a positive manner
WORKING CONDITIONS
Essential Personnel:
When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel
Physical Demands:
Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time
Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment
Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.
Clear vision to read, record, and interpret information
Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
Occasional pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.
Work Environment:
Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment, in an office or courtroom
The City Attorney’s Office currently follows a hybridworkstructure where employees have some required days in the office (both scheduled and as needed for case-related tasks), but otherwise can work remotely or from the office, based on the demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. This structure is subject to change, depending on the direction from the City Council.
The City Attorney’s office is a collegial work environment that is committed to providing excellent legal services to its clients and supporting their efforts to better serve the citizens of the City of Aurora
Equipment Used:
Uses standard office equipment, including personal computers and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel, and menu-driven databases.
This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g., vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
Requirements
For Assistant City Attorney:
3 years of experience in water litigation - Required
Prior experience assisting in water court trials -Preferred
Prior experience working with governmental entities and Colorado water law - Preferred
Subject matter experience with Colorado water law and water rights, to include: Prior Appropriation Doctrine, Change of use cases, Exchanges of water, Storage rights, Augmentation Plans, Short-term water leases, Substitute Supply Plans – Preferred
For Senior Assistant City Attorney:
7 years of experience in water litigation - Required
Prior experience acting as lead counsel or in a major assisting role in water court trials –Required
Prior experience working with governmental entities and Colorado water law – Required
