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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, and Customer 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
The Aurora City Attorney's Office is legal counsel for the Mayor, City Council and all city agencies, departments and boards and commissions. The office is comprised of two divisions: the Civil Division and the Criminal Justice Division. The Civil division works to prepare ordinances, represent the city in litigation, and provide legal counsel to the Mayor and City Council, Council Appointees and acts as corporate legal counsel to city departments. The Criminal Justice division handles prosecution of violations of municipal ordinances and regulations.
Under the direction of the City Council, the City Attorney serves as the chief legal advisor to the city and will manage of department of 69 FTEs and an approved FY24 operating budget of $10,451,707.
This City Attorney will serve as parliamentarian for Council meetings and to provide legal opinions and guidance on contemplated actions of City Council, legal ramifications of pending litigation or potential legislation under consideration by the City Council. This role will draft, review, negotiate and update legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, amendments, agreements, policies, and personnel actions to ensure the City is in compliance with legal requirements. The City Attorney will also be responsible for ensuring that the activities of the city are conducted in accordance with the requirements of Federal, State, and local laws and City Charter and Code and will provide defense for all litigation brought against the city and/or its officers and employees.
It is imperative for candidates to have a thorough knowledge of Colorado and federal law, rules of evidence and procedure, the Aurora Municipal Code, and local court rules to provide an unbiased interpretation of the city charter, ordinances, codes, resolutions, and policies.
- Knowledge of the basic principles of law, the ability to conduct legal research, and write briefs.
- Demonstrates knowledge of human behavior, and ability to effectively counsel, train, interview, and imbue others with an opinion or understanding of a concept.
- Utilizes knowledge and abilities obtained through law school education and municipal, governmental, or private experience to conduct research, draft legal documents and prosecute cases.
- Utilizes knowledge of municipal procedures, organizational frameworks, administrative policies, trial procedure, etc., to carry out assigned duties.
- Knowledge and experience with complex financial transactions and the issuance of government bonds.
- Experience with large-scale water rights projects including property acquisition, construction, and
- Experience with annexation, complex financial development/incentive agreements, regulating metro and transportation districts as well as a thorough knowledge of planning and zoning.
- Experience as a general counsel managing water rights or as a water attorney is required.
- Civil rights litigation against police and firefighters in the context of excessive force and violation of 1st
- Amendment protections as well as equal employment claims.
- Experience dealing with federal, state, and local environmental regulations as well as local oil and gas and PFAS issues.
- Experience with providing legal advice to police, fire, 911.
- Charged with prosecuting ordinance violations of law under the city code.
- Provide defense for all litigation brought against the city and/or its officers and employees.
- Prosecutes all civil litigation instituted on behalf of the city including the exercise of eminent domain and nuisance actions when necessary.
- Participates in administrative hearings involving the city.
- Retains and supervises outside counsel.
- Represents the city in negotiation of agreements.
- Responsible for preparation of legal documents including but not limited to, contractual agreements, leases, deeds, public construction documents, concession agreements, resolutions, ordinances, and Charter amendments.
- Reviews and assist in preparation of bond documents and other city financial documents.
- Reviews and participates in the establishment and updating of the city's pension plans to be in compliance with IRS regulations.
- Participates in city/county relations, city/state relations and city/federal relations.
- Annually prepares and submits a proposed city budget and is then responsible for its administration once adopted.
- Manages effective working relationships with the city's management team, employees, and elected officials.
Minimum Qualifications & Working Conditions
- A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
- At least 10 years progressively responsible municipal law experience. Experience in providing advice to a City Council or similar local governing body, the local government manager, local government appointees, department heads and independent boards and commissions of a local government.
- 3 years of supervisory experience.
- Candidates must be licensed to practice law in the state of Colorado and be in good standing or be eligible to and obtain such license within one year of employment through admission by motion AND be eligible to practice law in Colorado pending such admission at time of employment.
