Town Attorney

The Town of Erie is looking for an innovative, forward-thinking Town Attorney to serve as legal counsel for the Town, acting by and through its Town Council and build our very first in-house legal team. Reporting directly to the Town Council. This role is your opportunity to shape the future of a growing community while creating and leading a new legal department, including hiring an Assistant Town Attorney and Legal Assistant.
If you're energized by complex law, passionate about public service, and eager to be a creative problem-solver on issues ranging from Colorado municipal law, land use and development, housing, construction, finance, tax, elections, employment, licensing, open meetings/open records, law enforcement, ethics, and other issues typical to local government, Erie offers a rare chance to make a lasting impact. All staff are expected to adhere to the Town?s mission, vision, and TRUE Erie values.
We encourage you to review our Town Attorney recruiting flyer for additional information about our community, job summary and timeline/next steps for this posting.
POSTING DATES:
Posting Dates: 08/01/2025 ? 08/31/2025
This posting will close on Sunday, August 31st at 11:59PM. Please ensure your application is complete for consideration. All incomplete applications will be withdrawn from the process. This job may close early without further notice.
ANTICIPATED WORK SCHEDULE:
Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Flexibility is essential, as the role requires attendance at evening Town Council and committee meetings when scheduled.
This position includes an office at Town Hall and requires a minimum of three in-office days per week, with the option to work remotely up to two days. Due to the complexity of the role, additional in-office days may be necessary.
Work hours are subject to change in accordance with the needs of the Town and may include occasional adjustments.
WORK LOCATION: Town Hall, 645 Holbrook Street, Erie CO 80516
Relocation assistance may be considered based on the candidate?s location and qualifications.
PAY RANGE: $220,000 ? 250,000/annually
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
This position directly supervises the Assistant Town Attorney and Legal Assistant, oversees the Town Attorney?s Office and all staff and responsibilities within, and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the Town's policies and applicable law. Responsibilities include: interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; encouraging, supporting and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serves as legal counsel for the Town, acting by and through its Town Council.
Works in partnership with the Town Manager.
Plans, organizes, and directs all legal services, programs, and activities for the Town, with an emphasis on administrative law related to local government operations, land use and development, ethics, tax and tabor, housing, employment law, construction, finance, licensing, elections, open meetings/open records, law enforcement and other issues typical to local government.
The Town Attorney and their staff shall at all times comply with applicable law and the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.
Advises on compliance with federal, state, and local law.
Prepares, reviews, and interprets policies, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, deeds, leases and other legal documents as necessary.
Prepares or supervises civil litigation.
Depending on the Town Attorney?s own experience and expertise, facilitates arrangements with outside counsel in specialized areas of the law, including municipal prosecution, litigation, water, oil and gas, airport issues, construction and employment. Prepares legal opinions and recommendations for Town Council, the Town Manager, Town staff, and boards and commissions.
Attends Town Council meetings, Town executive leadership meetings, board and commission meetings, and other applicable meetings to advise on legal concerns and matters.
Maintains availability and responds to and provides effective solutions to legal issues raised by the Town Council, Town Manager, and Town staff.
Provides status reports to Town Council on current projects and other pertinent legal matters.
Advises on matters of risk management, public liability, and personnel matters.
Participates in and advises on conduct of administrative hearings and quasi-judicial matters.
Keeps Town officials and applicable leadership apprised of new legal developments affecting Town operations.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, public and private entities, policy making bodies, and the public.
Performs other duties, projects, and responsibilities at the direction of the Town Council.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
Minimum of ten (10) years' increasingly responsible experience in the practice and application of municipal or local government law, preferably in Colorado.
Three (3) to five (5) years' direct supervisory experience.
Strong experience in one or more of the following legal areas:
Administrative law related to local government operations
Land use and development
Ethics
Tax and TABOR
Housing
CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:
The Town Attorney shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in good standing in the State of Colorado
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Broad legal experience in several of the areas listed:
Employment law
Construction
Finance
Licensing
Elections
Law Enforcement
A combination of education and experience may be considered.
JOB EXPECTATIONS:
The Town Attorney shall attend and travel to meetings and conferences with the Town Council, Town staff, and Town boards, commissions and committees, as directed.
If the Town Attorney will be driving, the Town will require a valid driver?s license and satisfactory driving record. A motor vehicle record will be pulled through the background check.
Requires attendance at evening Town Council and committee meetings when scheduled.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:Knowledge of:
Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
Legal terms and the principles of government regulation The Town Charter, codes, and regulations
Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management
Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration, finance, and fiscal planning
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation
Research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures
Sources of information related to a broad range of municipal programs and services
Ability to:
Identify and respond to Town management and Town Council issues and concerns
Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations
Analyze problems and identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals
Effectively and fairly negotiate appropriate solutions and contracts
Knowledge of modern and highly complex principles and practices of public administration; current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of a municipal government; organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs; principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management; advanced principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration, finance, and fiscal planning.
Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures; sources of information related to a broad range of municipal programs and services
Allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner
Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion
Evaluate and develop improvements in Town operations, procedures, policies, and methods
Develop and maintain productive and professional interpersonal relationships with the Town Council, Town Manager, Town staff, outside counsel, consultants, developers, public agency representatives, other key stakeholders, and the general public
Exhibit honest, open communication and follow-through on commitments
Prepare clear and concise reports
Analyze and interpret legal documents
Create effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to the Town Council and Town management
Additional Qualities: Must demonstrate professionalism, ethical integrity, and sound judgment, and be able to manage multiple legal matters, prioritize in a dynamic environment, and communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats. Must have the ability to evaluate contentious situations and present options in a timely, clear, and concise manner, while working collaboratively with Town leadership and elected officials. Have the ability to evaluate contentious situations and present options in a timely, clear, and concise manner, while working collaboratively with Town leadership and elected officials.
Accommodations
If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Risk Management and Recruitment at RiskManagement@erieco.gov and Recruitment@erieco.gov.
Physical Factors
Duties are largely sedentary, requiring sitting for extended periods, typically up to seven hours per day, with occasional standing. Work involves repetitive motions such as typing and handling office documents. Minimal physical exertion is required; occasional lifting of office materials or files weighing up to 20 pounds may occur. No climbing, kneeling, or working at heights is required, and movements are generally limited to those typical in an office setting.
Environmental Factors
Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment with frequent use of a computer for document review, report preparation, and presentations. The position involves attending council meetings and interacting with Town management, which may occasionally require evening hours. Travel is generally local with occasional out-of-state conferences. The role required the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a professional setting.
Town of Erie Benefits:
The Town of Erie offers a comprehensive benefit package and pays a major portion of the employee premium to make these benefits more affordable for you. Coverage of these benefits begin the 1st of the month following date of hire for benefited employees regularly working an average of 30 hours per week. Each year you will have the option of changing your elections through open enrollment.
Designated full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
Robust Medical, Dental and Vision plans including spouse, domestic partner and family coverage options
Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Plans
Employer paid Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
Employer paid Short- and Long-Term Disability
Voluntary Supplemental Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) reimbursement up to $750 per year for numerous health/wellness purchases
Employer paid Employee Assistance Program
Robust Extended Sick Leave (ESL) and family sick leave program
48 hours of Colorado Sick Leave preloaded on the 1st of every year; pro-rated at time of hire
3 ? Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (increases with years of service)
40 hours of pre-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO) \\
Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays
Twenty-Four (24) Hours of Paid Volunteer Leave
Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for bonding with a new child
Option to ?sell back? PTO after two years of continuous employment
457 Retirement Plan, with a 5% employer match and immediate 100% vesting in your deferral AND employer contributions
Education reimbursement up to $3,000 per year
Individual free membership to the Erie Community Center and steep discounts on couple or family memberships
Employer sponsored wellness program, including?employee-based fitness classes
Childcare benefits which includes 10% discount to any KinderCare location in Colorado
Half-off charging at Town-owned EV charging stations
Pet Insurance
Employee Discount Program through Benefits Hub
Eligible for discount Dell Computer program
Onsite/virtual trainings for growth and development opportunities
We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-qualified employer!
EEOC Statement:
The Town is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition or privilege of employment. Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history), veteran status, marital status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment or discrimination based on any of these protected classes. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct, which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual?s work performance or creating a severe, intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. This provision applies to all employees, including directors, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as residents, members of all boards and task force groups, contractors, vendors, consultants, etc.