Employment Opportunities
Office of the Child’s Representative
Staff Attorney
Downtown Denver
Position Number: OCR04
Job Location: Denver, Colorado
Salary: $5,000 - $6,375 per month
Release Date: August 30, 2010 Apply By: September 15, 2010
Employment Type: Full-Time
Information About the Job:
BROAD SCOPE OF POSITION: The Staff Attorney position is responsible for representing the Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR) and Guardians ad Litem in various capacities, including the State Legislature, judicial districts and committee work with stakeholders in both child welfare and juvenile justice. This position involves researching and analyzing legal and policy issues, reviewing legislative proposals and drafting legal memoranda. The staff attorney provides support to Guardians ad Litem, the court and other professionals with regard to the issues and challenges facing attorneys who represent the best interests of children in the court system. The staff attorney must work constructively with others to further OCR’s mission of improving attorney services for children in child welfare and juvenile justice. This position presents a unique opportunity to seek systemic change for some of Colorado’s most vulnerable citizens, children who have been abused and neglected. Knowledge of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems is required, as is familiarity with issues impacting families in these systems such as mental health treatment, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Knowledge of the legislative process and direct experience working at the legislature is preferred but not required. This is a full-time, non-classified position exempt from the Federal Labor Standards Act, reporting to and serving at the pleasure of the OCR’s Executive Director.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
LEGISLATIVE LIAISON: The Staff Attorney is responsible for all activities for the OCR at the State Legislature including:
- Monitoring bills during session for issues that impact OCR. Working with OCR staff to identify the fiscal and policy implications presented by particular legislation. Requires a clear understanding of the legislative process and entails creating relationships with legislators, other lobbyists and stakeholders to effectively advocate the agency’s position and serve as OCR’s liaison at the capitol.
- Advocating for OCR’s budget at the Legislature: Requires an understanding of the budget process and OCR’s fiscal needs. Involves educating legislators and others about the work of Guardians ad Litem and issues facing children and families involved in the child welfare system.
- Drafting fact sheets and memoranda summarizing the impact of proposed legislation. Involves excellent research and writing skills.
PROVIDE GAL/ATTORNEY SUPPORT: The Staff Attorney serves as a resource to GALs statewide. This involves researching and analyzing legal issues affecting OCR attorneys and effectively communicating with GALs. Responsibilities include:
- Monitoring various listserves on a wide array of legal, policy and fiscal issues. Assuming primary responsibility for interfacing with GALs, the court and other professionals in a select number of judicial districts. Involves travel to those districts for annual jurisdictional assessments, attorney evaluations and meetings with judges and other stakeholders to identify training needs and address issues in districts.
- Drafting legal memoranda and effectively communicating issues to attorneys, court and stakeholders. Assisting in various legal research projects on an as needed basis.
- Investigating complaints from the public and professionals regarding attorney conduct and compliance with Chief Justice Directives.
- Assisting in the planning the content of OCR conferences. Maintaining current knowledge of best practices in child welfare and juvenile justice.
- Serving as OCR’s representative on a wide variety of committees and with stakeholders from the Colorado State Department of Human Services, Colorado Counties, the State Court Administrators Office, juvenile court professionals, CASAs and placement and service providers.
OTHER DUTIES/TRAVEL: The OCR is a small office, and the Staff Attorney must be a team player. The position requires developing strategic plans for a myriad of issues and engaging in crisis management on a daily basis. The Staff Attorney must be able to work independently but also collaborate closely with other staff to solve problems. Duties outside the primary scope of the position may be assigned by the Executive Director. The Staff Attorney duties require a minimal amount of travel outside the Front Range. The OCR serves all 22 judicial districts in the state of Colorado and agency needs will require travel and presentations outside of the Front Range, including OCR’s annual jurisdictional visits and two conferences per year presented by the OCR. The estimated amount of work time related to travel outside of the Front Range for this position is less than 10 percent.
QUALIFICIATIONS: The successful candidate must be an attorney licensed in the state of Colorado with some experience in the child welfare system. Experience with the legislative process is a plus. The successful candidate must possess excellent communication and strong technical skills, and must be creative, self-motivated and able to work in a decentralized environment without close supervision.
HOW TO APPLY:
Submit a letter of application noting the above referenced position, a resume, a list of three professional references and a writing sample by 4:30 p.m. on the above listed “Apply By” date to the contact information below.
Office of the Child’s Representative
Attn: Melanie Jannicelli
1580 Logan Street Suite 340
Denver, CO 80203
You may submit the required information by mail or e-mail. Be sure your application materials specifically address your qualifications for the position. Late or incomplete packages will not be considered. Please note that the application materials will not be returned. Fax applications will not be considered. Successful applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview. This position is eligible for benefits, including participation in retirement, health, dental, life/AD&D, and short-term disability plans, and paid leave.