For assistance with the Montezuma County Website and its contents, please reach out to a department manager click here.
Title: Assistant County Attorney
PT/FT: Full Time (40 hours)
Location: Cortez, CO (primarily in-person). Cortez is the county seat of Montezuma County and where the courts and county offices are located. The county has a population of about 25,000 people and is situated in the very southwest corner of Colorado in the Four Corners region. Cortez sits on the Colorado plateau between Mesa Verde National Park and Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, about one hour west of Durango and one and a half hours southwest of Telluride.
Salary Range: $80,000 to $100,00 DOQ
Description:
Under the supervision of the Montezuma County Attorney, the Assistant County Attorney will provide legal advice, representation, and legal services to the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners and other assigned County departments. Approximately 50% of the ACA’s time will be dedicated to the Montezuma County Department of Social Services, in particular.
The ACA’s primary responsibilities include representing the Department in child dependency and neglect (D&N), child support and adult protection cases. D&N cases are civil proceedings to protect children when there are concerns about their safety due to potential abuse or neglect by their parents or guardians.
The ACA represents the Department in regular court appearances – on average there are two monthly D&N dockets and one monthly child support docket. Contested, substantive hearings are often set off-docket. In D&N cases, these include adjudicatory jury or bench trials, motions hearings, allocation of parental responsibilities hearings, and termination of parental rights hearings. The ACA also handles appeals of D&N cases. Practically, the ACA conducts legal research, drafts trial court pleadings and appellate briefs, prepares witnesses, and engages in discovery practice.
In addition to court appearances, the ACA also regularly participates in family meetings, and internal case staffings with the Department.
In a small office setting, there is also opportunity to work with the County Attorney on all other issues that are handled by the County Attorney’s Office. The Office generally provides counsel and representation to the Board of County Commissioners, which includes a diverse set of matters including civil litigation, land use and planning, employment issues, contracts, and election law.
Experience Level: 0-4 years. Must be licensed to practice law in Colorado
Application Materials: Resume, Cover Letter, Law School Transcript, 3 Professional References
Deadline: May 23, 2025 or until filled
Contact: County Attorney Stephen Tarnowski; starnowski@co.montezuma.co.us ; 970-564-4176
