JOB LOCATION

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

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $30.02 - $37.53/hourly

The deadline to submit applications is September 14, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice. 

All applications must include a Resume and Cover Letter. Applications received without these items will not be reviewed. A skills test will be administered to candidates who are offered an interview.

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

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

The Development and Natural Resources Section of the Aurora City Attorney’s Office is seeking a paralegal with an interest in water law, litigation and environmental law to join its growing team of talented legal professionals. The paralegal role investigates facts, researches law, and prepares documents to assist lawyers in the City Attorney’s Office. The individual will work with the City of Aurora and Aurora Water supporting attorneys who file and appear in Colorado Water Court. The position will be classified as a Paralegal.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares and manages pre-litigation activities for cases including filing pleadings and motions in Colorado E-Filing systems or PACER, as required.
• Conducts legal research and synthesizes results for attorney(s).
• Manages and organizes case files and internal file management systems.
• Maintains calendaring systems and coordinates meeting scheduling with internal and external participants.
• Maintains electronic library of legal opinions, memoranda, legal education, reference materials and research materials.
• Compiles and distributes electronically stored material.
• Prepares correspondence, both electronic and postal, and drafts shell pleadings including entries of appearance, statements of opposition, motions, briefs, agreements, water court applications, and related documents.
• Proofreads, cites, and checks legal documents.
• Supports attorneys with trials and hearings and prepares all trial materials and technology including exhibit notebooks and trial binders.
• Liaises with City departments, clients and outside counsel to request and obtain necessary documents and items.
• Files and accesses documents electronically in municipal, state, and federal courts.
• Assists with drafting ordinances, resolutions and analysis of proposed legislation.  
• Files ditch company compliance reports. 
• Processes invoices and monthly reports.
• Supports attorneys on Council Projects as requested.
• Performs additional duties as assigned, including administrative duties (i.e. answers phones).

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of 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:

• Possession of Paralegal Certification from an ABA Certified Program OR Degree from an accredited institution. Equivalent education, training or experience that demonstrates the competencies required to perform at this level may be substituted for the minimum education requirements.
• Associates Degree in paralegal studies or directly related field

Experience:

• At least two (2) years progressively responsible legal office and/or paralegal experience
• At least one (1) year progressively responsible work in municipality, water law or public entity

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Paralegal certification
• Colorado Driver’s License with a good driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• Litigation, civil discovery, and calendaring experience.
• Prior experience assisting with trials.
• Experience with Bates numbering, redactions, document organization, and E-discovery software.
• Electronic trial presentation experience, including exhibit presentation with Adobe, Trial Director, or similar programs
• Experience working in general civil court procedures, government, Colorado Water Law, Water Court.
• Experience working with Federal, State and local governmental entities and Colorado, water law entities including Colorado Division of Water Resources, Colorado Water, Conservation Board, Colorado State Land Board, Colorado Department of Natural Resources, municipal water conservancy and conservation districts.
• Knowledge of Colorado water laws (Prior Appropriation Doctrine, Change of use cases, Exchanges of water and the typical filings associated with water court cases).
• Genuine interest in learning Colorado water law is required. 

Knowledge:

• General office procedures.
• Legal terminology.
• Legal forms.
• Personal computers including related word processing software applications.
• Legal research and writing.
• Electronic filing platforms (CCEF and PACER)
• Water court or general civil court procedures.
• Docketing deadlines pursuant to state and federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Legal research platforms (Westlaw and LexisNexis)

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong problem solving and strategic thinking skills.
• Advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint, and Teams) and Adobe.
• Skill in utilizing Bluebook and other similar legal citation methods.
• Skill in legal writing, proofreading, and editing legal filings, contracts, correspondence, memoranda, exhibits, subpoenas, and other documents.
• Skill in legal research and filing platforms such as PACER, Westlaw, and LexisNexis, and CoCourts.
• Skill in managing and meeting competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Skill in conducting E-Discovery using E-discovery software.
• Skill in managing vendors and contracts for E-Discovery platforms.
• Skill in bates numbering, redactions, and document organization.
• Skill in Microsoft Office Applications and Adobe Pro.

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with attorneys, citizens, court personnel, outside agencies/personnel, support staff, and experts.
• Handle confidential and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Multi-task and prioritize work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Maintain legal education and reference materials.
• Bluebook and other similar legal citation methods
• Legal research and filing platforms including Westlaw, LexisNexis, PACER (Federal e-filing), and Colorado courts EFile
• Municipal, local government and Colorado water laws Water court or general civil district court procedures
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Strong organizational skills
• The use of personal computers including related software, i.e. Microsoft Office, Lexis and/or Westlaw
• Word processing software
• Intermediate skills in Microsoft Excel
• Legal writing and proofreading

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:

• Light physical work lifting 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds
• Frequent walking to court for trials and hearings and for transportation of court files
• Frequent lifting, carrying, and standing
• Frequent hand/eye coordination to operate office equipment
• Vision sufficient to read computer screens, reports, and related department documents
• Dexterity to operate computer keyboards and other related office equipment
• Endurance sufficient to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time
• Frequent speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens.

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in clean, comfortable environment.
• Attendance during standard work hours to support time-sensitive legal processes.

Equipment Used:

• Frequently uses standard office equipment including computer, calculator, multi-line telephones, copy and printers.
• Answers telephone.
• 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.