Colorado Office of Public Guardianship
Staff Attorney
Colorado Office of Public Guardianship, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80285
Title : Entry-Level Staff Attorney
Job Location : Denver, Colorado
Salary Range:
$8,833.33 - $9,583.33 per month* Employment Type : Full-Time (40 hours/week); benefits and PERA eligible * Each position within the Judicial Branch has a certain salary range assigned. Based on experience and other factors, newly hired employees typically begin their employment towards the beginning of the pay range. Agency Statement
: The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship (COPG) provides guardianship services to eligible indigent and incapacitated adult individuals who have no responsible family members or friends who are available and appropriate to serve as guardian; lack adequate resources to compensate a private guardian and pay the costs associated with an appointment proceeding; and are not subject to a petition for appointment of guardian filed by a county adult protective services unit or otherwise authorized by C.R.S. § 26-3.1-104. The COPG is mandated to be statewide by December 31, 2030. Position Purpose and Objectives/Definition of Work
: The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship (COPG) is accepting applications for one (1) staff attorney. This position is responsible for all aspects of legal consultation, analysis and of COPG client matters post-appointment in guardianship, financial matters, and other matters as needed for such COPG clients. The Staff Attorney will provide guidance regarding the administration of guardianships to the Director, Deputy Director, guardians, case management aid, staff assistant, and other staff as needed on topics including fiduciary responsibility, accounting, public benefits, probate claims, criminal matters, housing matters, mental health intervention matters, and litigation on behalf of such COPG clients. The position requires significant time in a courtroom setting as part of the administration of guardianships for COPG clients and provides other opportunities for advocacy to medical, social work, and legal professionals. The COPG is focused on providing a high level of guardianship services and requires the Staff Attorneys’ advocacy on guardianship issues and mental health law issues. Potential for hybrid work environment and virtual court appearances. This position requires shared weekly and weekend on-call responsibilities. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Serves as counsel for COPG clients, in COPG’s fiduciary capacity as a guardian to such clients Provides guidance regarding guardianship decisions involving medical and mental health treatment, including consents for treatment and medical procedures Prepares and files pleadings related to probate, benefits, mental health, and fiduciary issues Serves as an administrator to on-call guardians, providing guidance and support for critical incidents during rotating nights and weekends Provides training to staff Investigates liability of former fiduciaries to COPG clients, including determination of asset location, value and ownership Prosecutes petitions for COPG clients to discover assets, petitions to determine liability, and petitions for accounting Coordinates estate administration with conservators, including the Public Administrators, gives instructions on fiduciary duties and provides legal advice regarding the administration of guardianships to guardians, Director, Deputy Director, and other COPG staff Handles administrative hearings to obtain and maintain benefits or other matters for COPG clients Handles intervention matters for COPG clients in criminal matters Provides an analysis of legal issues, with possible suggestions or resolutions; and presents these findings to the Director and the Assistant Attorney General for the COPG Interacts with court personnel on behalf of COPG clients, including filing of pleadings, instructions on notice required to other parties in lawsuits, responding to questions by the court, presentation of ex parte petitions to judges and asking questions on nonroutine requirements of court proceedings Handles cases on behalf of COPG clients that include the restoration or modification of rights of a ward deemed to have regained capacity, a petition to determine liability against a former fiduciary Provides an analysis of potential legislation and legal issues, with possible suggestions or resolutions; and presents these findings to the Director and legislative liaison Performs other related duties on behalf of COPG clients as required/assigned KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the administration of guardianship, fiduciary duties, including probate practice and procedure Knowledge of laws and regulations governing benefits, care, services, and placements available to wards whether they be provided to the ward in their homes or in residential or institutional settings. Knowledge of mental health systems and services, social service agencies, state developmental disability waiver systems and services, and state systems and services for the aged Skill and knowledge in general matters of law, including criminal law, municipal law, contract law, landlord/tenant law, public benefits law, family law, name changes, etc. Skill in oral and written communication as related to appearances in judicial and administrative proceedings, negotiations and instructions to staff and stakeholders Skill in legal research Skill in drafting pleadings, letters, instruction memoranda to office staff, etc. Skill in the use of Microsoft Suite and word processing programs Skill in tracking time spent in individual cases, despite interruptions Ability to set priorities and remain organized despite shifting priorities, large caseload, numerous interruptions and high stress work environment Minimum Qualifications/Professional Qualifications
: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school Licensed in Colorado and member in good standing of the Colorado State Bar Resident of Colorado No history or disciplinary action by any state bar licensing authority Minimum 5 years experience in legal consultation, analysis and representation of a state agency or similar organization in its fiduciary capacity as a guardian or conservator Minimum 5 years of experience in probate law, guardianship law, conservatorship law, mental health law, topics of fiduciary responsibility, public benefits, discharge issues, guardian consent issues, ethics, medical decision-making, advocacy on guardianship issues Experience creating office procedures and policies using ethical considerations Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing Ability to maintain confidentiality, establish effective working relationships, and thoroughly document work Must submit to and pass a pre-employment background check WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS : This position is in a general office environment and is required to primarily be on-site. Physical demands of the job include frequent talking, hearing, sitting, reaching and repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers. Employee may be occasionally required to stand, walk and lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. EEO/AA/ADA EMPLOYER Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Colorado Office of Public Guardianship is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Qualified applicants are provided with an equal opportunity and selection decisions are based on job-related factors. OTHER Individuals chosen for the position will be subject to an extensive pre-employment background check and CAPS check. A felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude may affect employment. Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. HOW TO APPLY: Please visit: https://judicialco.bamboohr.com/careers/38 PLEASE NOTE
: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled/conducted as they are received; applications are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.
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$8,833.33 - $9,583.33 per month* Employment Type : Full-Time (40 hours/week); benefits and PERA eligible * Each position within the Judicial Branch has a certain salary range assigned. Based on experience and other factors, newly hired employees typically begin their employment towards the beginning of the pay range. Agency Statement
: The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship (COPG) provides guardianship services to eligible indigent and incapacitated adult individuals who have no responsible family members or friends who are available and appropriate to serve as guardian; lack adequate resources to compensate a private guardian and pay the costs associated with an appointment proceeding; and are not subject to a petition for appointment of guardian filed by a county adult protective services unit or otherwise authorized by C.R.S. § 26-3.1-104. The COPG is mandated to be statewide by December 31, 2030. Position Purpose and Objectives/Definition of Work
: The Colorado Office of Public Guardianship (COPG) is accepting applications for one (1) staff attorney. This position is responsible for all aspects of legal consultation, analysis and of COPG client matters post-appointment in guardianship, financial matters, and other matters as needed for such COPG clients. The Staff Attorney will provide guidance regarding the administration of guardianships to the Director, Deputy Director, guardians, case management aid, staff assistant, and other staff as needed on topics including fiduciary responsibility, accounting, public benefits, probate claims, criminal matters, housing matters, mental health intervention matters, and litigation on behalf of such COPG clients. The position requires significant time in a courtroom setting as part of the administration of guardianships for COPG clients and provides other opportunities for advocacy to medical, social work, and legal professionals. The COPG is focused on providing a high level of guardianship services and requires the Staff Attorneys’ advocacy on guardianship issues and mental health law issues. Potential for hybrid work environment and virtual court appearances. This position requires shared weekly and weekend on-call responsibilities. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Serves as counsel for COPG clients, in COPG’s fiduciary capacity as a guardian to such clients Provides guidance regarding guardianship decisions involving medical and mental health treatment, including consents for treatment and medical procedures Prepares and files pleadings related to probate, benefits, mental health, and fiduciary issues Serves as an administrator to on-call guardians, providing guidance and support for critical incidents during rotating nights and weekends Provides training to staff Investigates liability of former fiduciaries to COPG clients, including determination of asset location, value and ownership Prosecutes petitions for COPG clients to discover assets, petitions to determine liability, and petitions for accounting Coordinates estate administration with conservators, including the Public Administrators, gives instructions on fiduciary duties and provides legal advice regarding the administration of guardianships to guardians, Director, Deputy Director, and other COPG staff Handles administrative hearings to obtain and maintain benefits or other matters for COPG clients Handles intervention matters for COPG clients in criminal matters Provides an analysis of legal issues, with possible suggestions or resolutions; and presents these findings to the Director and the Assistant Attorney General for the COPG Interacts with court personnel on behalf of COPG clients, including filing of pleadings, instructions on notice required to other parties in lawsuits, responding to questions by the court, presentation of ex parte petitions to judges and asking questions on nonroutine requirements of court proceedings Handles cases on behalf of COPG clients that include the restoration or modification of rights of a ward deemed to have regained capacity, a petition to determine liability against a former fiduciary Provides an analysis of potential legislation and legal issues, with possible suggestions or resolutions; and presents these findings to the Director and legislative liaison Performs other related duties on behalf of COPG clients as required/assigned KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the administration of guardianship, fiduciary duties, including probate practice and procedure Knowledge of laws and regulations governing benefits, care, services, and placements available to wards whether they be provided to the ward in their homes or in residential or institutional settings. Knowledge of mental health systems and services, social service agencies, state developmental disability waiver systems and services, and state systems and services for the aged Skill and knowledge in general matters of law, including criminal law, municipal law, contract law, landlord/tenant law, public benefits law, family law, name changes, etc. Skill in oral and written communication as related to appearances in judicial and administrative proceedings, negotiations and instructions to staff and stakeholders Skill in legal research Skill in drafting pleadings, letters, instruction memoranda to office staff, etc. Skill in the use of Microsoft Suite and word processing programs Skill in tracking time spent in individual cases, despite interruptions Ability to set priorities and remain organized despite shifting priorities, large caseload, numerous interruptions and high stress work environment Minimum Qualifications/Professional Qualifications
: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school Licensed in Colorado and member in good standing of the Colorado State Bar Resident of Colorado No history or disciplinary action by any state bar licensing authority Minimum 5 years experience in legal consultation, analysis and representation of a state agency or similar organization in its fiduciary capacity as a guardian or conservator Minimum 5 years of experience in probate law, guardianship law, conservatorship law, mental health law, topics of fiduciary responsibility, public benefits, discharge issues, guardian consent issues, ethics, medical decision-making, advocacy on guardianship issues Experience creating office procedures and policies using ethical considerations Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing Ability to maintain confidentiality, establish effective working relationships, and thoroughly document work Must submit to and pass a pre-employment background check WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS : This position is in a general office environment and is required to primarily be on-site. Physical demands of the job include frequent talking, hearing, sitting, reaching and repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers. Employee may be occasionally required to stand, walk and lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. EEO/AA/ADA EMPLOYER Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Colorado Office of Public Guardianship is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by law or regulation. Qualified applicants are provided with an equal opportunity and selection decisions are based on job-related factors. OTHER Individuals chosen for the position will be subject to an extensive pre-employment background check and CAPS check. A felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving moral turpitude may affect employment. Disclaimer: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. HOW TO APPLY: Please visit: https://judicialco.bamboohr.com/careers/38 PLEASE NOTE
: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled/conducted as they are received; applications are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.
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