POSITION TITLE: Assistant City Attorney I/II (Full-Time Regular) (Unclassified Management)
REQUISITION #: req8539
DEPARTMENT: City Attorney's Office
LOCATION: CITY HALL
BENEFIT CATEGORY: Unclassified Management Attorney Unclassified Management Benefit Highlights
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time Regular
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE - ATTORNEY I: $92,310.00 - 138,586 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE - ATTORNEY II: $106,156.00 - 159,375 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE - ATTORNEY I: $95,000.00 - 110,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
ANNUAL ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE - ATTORNEY II: $120,000.00 - 145,000.00 (Salaries are paid biweekly)
SELECTION PROCESS: Application deadline is
11:59 p.m. MT on 8/5/2026.
At the City, we are focused on finding the strongest candidate for the role, and we recognize that excellence can come from a wide variety of experiences and paths. When reviewing applications, we consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and lived experiences that align with the minimum qualifications. If you are interested in this opportunity, we encourage you to view your background broadly and highlight the skills and experiences that best prepare you for the role.
The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.
Post-Offer Requirements
- Background check (Background checks are considered in relation to the responsibilities and requirements of the position)
While the City of Fort Collins offers many remote and/or hybrid positions, all remote or hybrid work must be performed in the state of Colorado.
Why Work For the City of Fort Collins?
- Medical, dental, vision (for self, spouse, domestic partner, children) – eligible on the 1st of the month following date of hire
- Paid vacation, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional one-time bank of 40 PTO hours for new, full-time, Classified and Unclassified Management hires
- Retirement + company contributions – after 6 month probation period and immediate vesting
- Flexible spending: Medical expenses FSA, dependent FSA or both
- Employee Assistance Program: counseling, legal, financial assistance
- Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
- Wellness program, workout facilities
- Employee/family onsite health clinic
- Learning and development opportunities at all levels in the organization with opportunities for career mobility
- Collaborative work environment
Job Summary
The City of Fort Collins City Attorney's Office is seeking an Assistant City Attorney I, or II. The Assistant City Attorney I should have 1-2 years’ experience practicing law whereas the Assistant City Attorney II should have a minimum of 5 years’ legal practice in a field or position directly related to the work of the City Attorney's Office. Applicants must have a license to practice law in the State of Colorado or qualify for admission On Motion in Colorado.
We are seeking a transactional attorney with experience in at least one area of public sector law, including contract drafting, real estate, procurement, technology, open records or advising governmental personnel on policy development or implementation.
We are looking for intellectually curious, dedicated, civic-minded professionals eager to use their legal skills to serve the community.
The City Attorney's Office is a busy and interesting hub situated in Fort Collins' City Hall. This is an in-person role that has a remote/hybrid component that will on average allow 2 days in the office and up to 3 days remote in a typical week after the initial onboarding process, dependent on the demands of the work. We invite you to apply!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties and responsibilities are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive. Both the Attorney I and Attorney II positions work in a team office environment with the office of the City Attorney and perform their duties with some attorney supervision and feedback.
The following are essential duties and responsibilities for both the Attorney I and Attorney II positions:
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Conducts legal research, interprets laws, rulings and regulations, and drafts legal opinions and memoranda.
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Provides legal advice and training to City departments and various City boards and commissions.
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Communicates directly and effectively with clients, orally and in writing, including managing deadlines and deliverables.
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Prepares contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
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Reviews contracts and other legal documents for legal sufficiency and potential legal implications.
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Identifies potential and actual legal issues raised by City policies and practices and recommends actions to address such issues.
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Represents the City in negotiations and in administrative and court proceedings.
In addition to the above essential duties and responsibilities, the following essential duties are performed by the Attorney II position with minimal attorney supervision:
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Conducts or supervises complex legal research and drafts related legal opinions and memoranda.
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Provides legal advice, possibly on complex issues, and training to City Council, City departments and officials, and various City boards and commissions.
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Communicates directly and effectively with clients, opposing counsel and others, manages the strategic direction of projects in cooperation with clients, and negotiates deadlines, deliverables, and competing priorities for multiple clients.
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Works with senior City management staff to coordinate legal work for one or more service areas.
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Mediates and facilitates collaboration across departments and service areas of the City to legally achieve City objectives.
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Prepares complex contracts, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
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Reviews, critiques and edits others’ legal writing and documents.
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Provides oversight of legal work within the City Attorney's Office including the work of other attorneys and paralegals, interns, and the work of outside legal counsel, as needed.
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Develop and maintain strong working relationships with departmental clients, and board and commission members.
Management Responsibilities
No
City Competencies
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Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
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Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
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A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
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A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Attorney I:
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General knowledge of the law.
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General knowledge of municipal law.
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Skilled in legal writing and research.
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Strong analytical skills.
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Ability to communicate to diverse audiences clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
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Able to perform duties effectively with regular supervision and assistance.
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Demonstrated ability to solve problems.
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Ability to recognize and develop awareness of political and organizational dynamics within the City.
In addition to the above, an Attorney II is expected to meet the following required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
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Advanced knowledge of municipal law.
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Advanced legal writing and research skills. Produces documents that need minimal editing or revision.
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Strong analytical skills when applied to complex or specialized areas of municipal law.
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Able to use word processing, collaboration, time tracking, and presentation software, and do online research.
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Able to perform duties effectively with minimal supervision and assistance.
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Able to coordinate and facilitate projects.
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Comfortable with public speaking.
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Leadership skills.
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Demonstrated ability to solve problems.
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Sufficiently experienced in advising clients to effectively fill in for attorneys in other subject matter areas if needed.
Required Qualifications
Juris Doctorate required
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
Experience Requirements
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Attorney I: Preferred Experience: 1-2 years experience as a practicing attorney with an emphasis in civil law
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Attorney II: Five years of legal practice in a field or position directly related to the work of the City Attorney’s Office.
Certifications/Licenses/Specialized Training
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License to practice law in the State of Colorado.
The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.
Notice Regarding Medical and/or Recreational Marijuana Use
Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.
The City is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Employment decisions will comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination in employment. The City does not tolerate behavior that results in the terms and conditions of employment being adversely impacted based on an employee’s protected status, or any behavior that violates this policy.
Consistent with the City’s respect for the rights and dignity of each employee, the City is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. The City prohibits discrimination or harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, military, veteran status or uniformed service member status, genetic information, marital status or any other status protected under federal, state or local law.
The City is committed to providing a healthy and safe work environment. In addition to the City’s commitment to equal opportunity employment, the City strictly prohibits discrimination or retaliation against an employee who raises any reasonable concern about workplace violations of government health or safety rules or a significant threat to the health or safety of City employees or the public, if the City controls the workplace conditions giving rise to the threat or violation.
Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.
