Assistant City Attorney Civil

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, 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

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $101,437 - $126,796/annually

The deadline to submit applications is September 14, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

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

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

As an Assistant Attorney, you will utilize your knowledge and abilities obtained through law school education and municipal, governmental or private experience to conduct research, and draft legal documents through the Civil Division of the City Attorney's Office.

Applicants must be licensed to practice by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advises and consults with City staff on legal matters; determining the nature of legal problems, and offers counsel based on legal expertise, experience, and interpretation of relevant law, particularly focused on employment law
• Drafts City Code provisions, legal opinions, ordinances, and resolutions for review by the City Attorney
• Responds to requests from City staff and members of City Council
• Performs a wide variety of legal projects for the City Attorney’s Office
• Provides direct legal service on a variety of matters concerning and/or related to the Charter, Ordinances, or rules and regulations of the City
• Provides legal counsel to various Boards and Commissions
• Represents City staff or the City Attorney’s office in court, at administrative hearings, before the Career Service and the Civil Service Commissions in employment-related matters, unemployment matters, and at conferences
• Researches legal casework pertinent to ongoing legal matters
• Reviews contracts for compliance with City code and other applicable laws and precedents
• Drafts and reviews contracts, severance agreements, employee discipline letters, and employee policies to ensure legal compliance
• Develops and delivers training programs to educate city staff and managers on employment law compliance
• Searches for, reads, and analyzes legal newsletters, journals, ordinances, books, and case notes pertinent to on-going legal matters
• Performs other related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of 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.

Experience: 

• A demonstrated interest in labor and employment law

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Must be licensed to practice law by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in labor and/or employment law
• Experience in advising clients on legal compliance
• Experience conducting trials or evidentiary hearings

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the basic principles of law, the ability to conduct legal research, and write briefs
• Desire to develop a thorough knowledge of the Colorado Revised Statutes, as pertinent to city government and the Aurora Municipal Code

Skills: 

• Skill in legal research
• Teamwork, professionalism, positive attitude
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Skill in the use of windows-based programs
• Strong customer service skills

Abilities: 

• 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

• 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 hybrid work structure where employees have some required days in the office (both scheduled and as needed), 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.