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

Hybrid Position 

SALARY: 

Assistant City Attorney: 

Anticipated Hiring Range: $101,437 - $126,796 

Full Compensation Grade: $101,437 - $158,494

Senior Assistant City Attorney: 

Anticipated Hiring Range: $125,371 - $156,714 

Full Compensation Grade: $125,371 - $195,893 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT 

The Aurora City Attorney’s Office is seeking an experienced water court litigator to join its growing team of talented legal professionals. The individual will represent the City of Aurora and its Utility Enterprise, Aurora Water, in Colorado Water Court litigation. The most frequently filed matters include diligence, statements of opposition, appropriative claims for direct flow and storage rights, exchanges, and adjudication of changes of water rights from irrigation to municipal use. The individuals will be expected to handle trials as lead counsel in Colorado Water Court Divisions 1, 2, and 5. The individual will have ownership of the cases and assist Aurora Water with legal matters. The individual may also advise Aurora Water on day-to-day operations, adjudication of water rights, ditch company holdings, water quality matters, and legislation. The position will be classified as either an Assistant City Attorney or a Senior Assistant City Attorney, depending on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.  
 

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

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Serves as lead 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 

• Serves as lead counsel and in assisting roles in a variety of Colorado Water Court litigation from preparation to trial and including drafting briefs/motions, oral arguments, and appeals 

• 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 by the Colorado Supreme Court and be in good standing 

• Applicants must be eligible to become admitted to practice in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, if not already admitted to practice in the Circuit   

Experience: 

For Assistant City Attorney: 

• 3 years of experience in water litigation - Required 

• Prior experience assisting in water court trials -Preferred 

• Prior experience working with governmental entities and Colorado water law - Preferred 

• Subject matter experience with 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 – Preferred 

For Senior Assistant City Attorney: 

• 7 years of experience in water litigation - Required 

• Prior experience acting as lead counsel or in a major assisting role in water court trials –Required 

• Prior experience working with governmental entities and Colorado water law – Required 

• Subject matter experience in most of the following areas of 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  

• Subject matter experience within West Slope water issues and concerns, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes, and water quality - Preferred 

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:   

• Substantial skill in water 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 the Westlaw legal research platform 

• Strong customer service skills 

Abilities:   

• Ability to effectively litigate water cases 

• Demonstrated knowledge of human behavior, and the 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, 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 for case-related tasks), but otherwise can work remotely or from the office, based on the demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. This structure is subject to change, depending on the direction from the 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.