Deputy Town Attorney

The Town of Erie is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Deputy Town Attorney to play a key role in a newly established in-house legal department. Working closely with the Town Attorney, this position provides advanced legal counsel to the Town Council, Town Manager, and departments across the organization on a wide range of complex municipal matters.

The Deputy Town Attorney will handle sophisticated legal issues including construction and other contracts, real property, zoning and land use, liquor licensing, taxation, election law, open records, municipal code drafting and interpretation, consultation law, governmental liability and immunity, human resources, and law enforcement. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned municipal attorney who thrives on variety, values public service, and is energized by helping shape a growing legal team and dynamic community.

All staff are expected to adhere to the Town’s mission, vision, and TRUE Erie values.

We encourage you to review our Deputy Town Attorney recruiting flyer for additional information about our community, job summary and timeline/next steps for this posting.

Posting Dates:

• 12/22/2025 – 01/18/2026

• This posting will close on Sunday, January 18th 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 All incomplete applications will be withdrawn from the process.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 for 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

Hiring Pay Range:

• $190,000 - $205,000/annually

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides staff assistance to the Town Attorney and special legal counsel retained by the Town Attorney.

• Provides legal advice to Town Council, boards and commissions, and Town departments.
• Represents the Town in administrative and quasi-judicial proceedings.
• In the absence of the Town Attorney acts on their behalf with Council and staff support.
• Works in partnership with other employees and departments of the Town to deliver effective and innovative services.
• Confers with staff, including supervisory, managerial, and administrative personnel as needed regarding Town wide and departmental policies and procedures.
• Attends Town Council meetings, Town executive leadership meetings, board and commission meetings, and other applicable meetings, as directed or in place of Town Attorney, to advise on legal concerns and matters.
• Advises applicable administrators or departments of potential problems or concerns and makes recommendations on changes or improvements.
• Provides verbal and written information to departments, including legal opinions.
• Drafts, reviews, and negotiates Town ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal documents.
• Manages workload and ensures that responsibilities comply with the Town Charter, Erie Municipal Code, Town policies and procedures, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Maintains confidentiality of information consistent with applicable Town policy, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• The Deputy Town Attorney shall at all times comply with applicable law and the Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Attends offsite meetings and travels to various sites within and outside of Erie and Colorado.
• Monitor legal trends and developments affecting the Town and recommend appropriate policy changes.
• Responds to resident inquiries concerning various legal issues as they relate to the Town.
• May work extended hours due to litigation or participation in evening meetings as assigned.
• May be assigned to supervise staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by Town Attorney.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association.
• Minimum of 8 years increasingly responsible experience in the practice and application of municipal or local government law, preferably in Colorado.
• Strong knowledge of Colorado state laws governing municipalities.

Certifications/Licenses:

• The Deputy Town Attorney shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in good standing in the State of Colorado.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong experience in one or more of the following legal areas:

  • Construction

  • Land use/real estate

  • Employment law

  • Licensing

  • Elections

  • Finance

• Strong written and verbal communications skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly to a non-legal audience
• Strong presentation skills with the ability to communicate information clearly and confidently
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills are necessary to interpret statutes, precedents, and regulations
• Adept at managing situations that require diplomacy, fairness, and sound judgment.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to lead cross-departmental legal initiatives or policy development.
• Understanding of open meeting laws, public records acts, and ethics regulations.

Job Expectations:

• The Deputy 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 Deputy 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.
• 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 for up to two days. Due to the complexity of the role, additional in-office days may be necessary.

Pre-Employment Screenings Include:

• Interview process
• Reference checks
• Background checks include: National and County Criminal Scan, Sex-Offender Registry check and Motor Vehicle Report through DMV

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Legal terms and the principles of government regulation including the Town Charter, codes, and regulations
• 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.
• Principles and practices of organization, administration, and personnel management
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration, finance, and fiscal planning
• Sources of information related to a broad range of municipal programs and services
• Rules of professional conduct for attorneys
• Parliamentary procedures

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
• 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
• Plan, prioritize, and complete work without supervision while meeting critical deadlines with frequent interruptions
• 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.

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 ½ 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.

To review the full job description, please visit Town of Erie's Human Resources page