JOB LOCATION

15151 E Alameda Pkwy Aurora, Colorado 80012-1555

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of:Integrity,Respect, Professionalism, andCustomer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
Diverse community
Competitive total compensation package
Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
Light rail station minutes away
On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

SALARY

Hiring range: $99,204.78 - $124,005.97

Full Compensation Grade: $99,204.78 - $155,007.46

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Aurora City Attorney’s Office is seeking a lawyer with an interest in water law, litigation and environmental law to join its growing team of talented legal professionals. The individual will represent the City of Aurora and its Utility Enterprise, Aurora Water, and appear in Colorado Water Court. The individual will advise Aurora Water on legal matters, including adjudication of water rights. The position will be classified as an Assistant City Attorney.

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 demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Effective the first day of employment, the individuals selected must maintain Colorado residency.

All applications must include a Writing Sample, Resume, and Cover Letter. Applications received without these items will not be reviewed.

Early applications are encouraged; this post may close early as soon as a sufficient pool of qualified candidates have applied.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Serves as 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
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 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 or have the ability to become licensed w/in 6 months by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing

Experience:

For Assistant City Attorney:

3 years of experience in law - Required
Prior experience in litigation, water or environmental law - Preferred
Prior experience working with Federal, State and local governmental entities and Colorado water law entities including Colorado Division of Water Resources, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, municipal water conservancy and conservation districts - Preferred
Genuine interest to learn 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

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:

Skill in 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 Westlaw legal research platform
Strong customer service skills

Abilities:

Ability to litigate cases
Demonstrated knowledge of human behavior, and 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, recording, and interpret information
Occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
Occasional pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping.

Work Environment:

Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment; in an office or courtroom
The City Attorney’s Office currently follows a hybrid work structure 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 demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. This structure is subject to change, depending on the direction from 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.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference: Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.

City of Aurora

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