Paralegal

Job Title: Paralegal (or Legal Assistant)

Department: County Attorney

Reports To: County Attorney

Classification: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Compensation Range: $50,000 - $75,000

Benefits: Employee Benefits | Lake County, CO

Why join our team?

Join a workplace where public service meets opportunity. At Lake County Government, employees are empowered to grow, collaborate, and make a meaningful impact every day. We offer a supportive environment that values innovation and connection, with reliable compensation, comprehensive benefits, and a commitment to helping you succeed both professionally and personally.

Cultural Expectations

• Assume Good Intent: Approach each interaction with positive mindset and openness to understand others.
• Model Professional: Maintain high standards in behavior and communication that reflects our values.
• Apply County Wide Lens: Consider the broader impact of decisions on our community and organization as a whole.
• Be Solutions-Oriented: Focus on finding constructive solutions rather than dwelling on problems or challenges.
• Practice Servant Leadership: Prioritize the needs of others, fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment.
• Support Meaningful Work-Life Balance: Encourage boundaries that support personal well-being while achieving professional responsibilities.

Position Summary

The Paralegal or Legal Assistant will provide essential legal and administrative support to the Lake County Attorney, assisting in civil and administrative matters such as land use, property tax, elections, employment, open records compliance, contracts and civil litigation. This role ensures efficient legal operations and supports timely and accurate delivery of legal services across county departments.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

Legal Support & Research

• Assist in preparing memoranda, pleadings, motions, briefs, and correspondence for civil cases and administrative matters.
• Conduct legal research and summarize local ordinances, statutes, regulations, and case law pertinent to county governance, land use, and other departmental needs.
• Prepare drafts of legal documents and correspondence for the County Attorney.

Case & Records Management

• Organize and maintain files, ensuring that documents—including discovery materials and evidence for cases—are properly tracked and accessible.
• Manage public records requests under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) in collaboration with the County Attorney’s Office.

Contracts & Administrative Documents

• Draft, review, manage and organize contract documents, agreements, and resolutions across county departments, ensuring legal compliance and proper record-keeping.

Correspondence & Communication

• Draft official correspondence and communications under attorney supervision.
• Coordinate with internal county staff, departments, and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and compliance with county policies and procedures.

Office & Workflow Coordination

• Provide general administrative and clerical support to the County Attorney, including file organization, task management and reporting.
• Assist in scheduling meetings and coordinating with County Attorney, County Officials and Department Directors, while monitoring deadlines (e.g., filing and court schedules).

Occasional Litigation Support & Trial Preparation

• Participate in trial preparation, including organizing exhibits, preparing trial binders, and coordinating with witnesses or court clerks.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Not applicable

Requirements

Compensation will be determined by the applicants full skillset with consideration of the below:

Education & Experience

• Certificate or degree in paralegal studies, legal assistant program, or related field; or equivalent experience within a legal environment.

Technical Skills & Tools

• Strong proficiency in document management systems, legal research tools, and Microsoft Office suite.

Knowledge & Abilities

• A strong understanding of legal procedures, terminology, and specific areas of local government law.
• Familiarity or capability to learn Colorado statutes and regulations (land use, property tax, governmental procedures).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting legal documents and interacting with various stakeholders.
• Superior organizational skills and keen attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively, meet deadlines, and prioritize workloads.

Professionalism & Ethics

• Demonstrated discretion, tact, and ethical responsibility in handling sensitive or confidential information.

Hazard Notice

Work is primarily office-based with minimal physical hazards. Potential risks include ergonomic strain from prolonged computer use, stress from deadlines and financial reporting, and occasional high-pressure interactions with the public or staff. Limited travel to offsite meetings may also occur. Employees are expected to follow safety practices and request accommodation as needed.

Physical Activity & Work Environment

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, or reaching.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Occasional pushing, pulling, or moving objects.
• Use of hands for repetitive motions such as typing, writing, or operating equipment.
• Operation of standard office equipment (computers, phones, copiers, etc.).
• Visual acuity to read and produce accurate documents and materials.
• Hearing ability sufficient to respond to spoken communication.
• Standard office environment with controlled temperature and lighting.
• Interaction with the public, sometimes in high-pressure or emotionally charged situations.
• Occasional travel to offsite locations or satellite facilities.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Applicant Notice

Lake County Government posts all official employment opportunities on its careers page linked here. Positions may also appear on external job boards such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter through our applicant tracking system.

Please be aware that unauthorized third parties may repost or imitate job listings. The most accurate and up-to-date information will always be available on our official website. Applicants are recommended to apply directly through our career page and should not provide personal information outside of the official application process.

EOE Statement

Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Assistance or accommodation during the application process due to a disability is available upon request.

Notice of Work Authorization Requirement

Applicants must be authorized to lawfully work for any employer in the United States. Lake County is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

Notice of Emergency/Disaster Responsibilities

All Lake County Employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker when a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of County Commissioners. To be prepared for this role, all employees and emergency service function (ESF) leads will attend emergency management trainings and exercises as requested by the Director of Emergency Management. With advanced notification from OEM, employees will make reasonable efforts to attend training events in coordination with other employees and supervisors.

Other Duties

Please note that this job description does not intend to cover or contain a full comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Expected Duration of the Application Process

Due to the nature of the application and selection process for Lake County full-time positions, applicants can reasonably expect the application process to take a significant amount of time to complete before a decision is made to hire or not to hire. Typically, it takes approximately two (2) to four (4) weeks from the date of application to complete the entire selection process. The length of time it takes to complete the process can vary depending on a variety of factors. Please note that this is an estimated duration of the selection process.