Senior Counsel - Land Use

The City of Commerce City is excited to announce that our growing legal team is seeking a Senior Counsel Attorney with extensive experience in land use and zoning. This position will be the primary attorney assigned to represent the Citys Community Development Department, the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment.

Our ideal candidate will have wide-ranging knowledge of land use, development, and providing legal advice to planning commissions and boards of adjustment. The Senior Counsel provides a wide range of professional legal work, with a greater degree of responsibility and autonomy with limited supervision and direction, to City departments, officials, and boards relating to their official duties. Providing comprehensive, timely, and sound legal advice (including identifying legal issues, assisting in the revision of the Citys Land Development Code, conducting legal research, and communicating and documenting legal advice) is crucial to supporting the needs of our dynamic and growing community.

Hiring salary is dependent upon experience.
The hiring range for this position is $135,000 - $191,103 annually.

We care about our employees and offer a generous benefits package: health & wellness benefits, 6% retirement contribution match and 2% 457 Deferred Compensation match, PTO, work/life balance, and more.

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our success, and we are committed to creating a supportive and welcoming work environment for all of our employees. If you are a highly motivated, skilled attorney with comprehensive legal knowledge and expertise in municipal law, we encourage you to apply for this position. We look forward to hearing from you!

Be A Part Of It and contribute to the vibrant growth and development of Commerce City as we strive to provide exceptional services and foster a thriving community.

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado. A minimum of eight years experience as a practicing attorney is required including specific practice in service to municipal government. An equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered. Must possess a valid drivers license.


Knowledge Of:

• Principles and procedures of municipal, state, federal, civil, business, and constitutional law
• Charter, ordinances, codes, policies, procedures, practices, and activities of the City
• Any required legal specialty
• Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct. Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence
• Techniques and resources for conducting legal research.

Skills In:

• Strong conflict resolution and mediation skills
• Reviewing, reading, interpreting, and explaining facts, abstract concepts, and law to a variety of audiences
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong time and task management skills

Ability To:

• Analyze and organize conflicting and ambiguous facts and evidence
• Read, interpret, and analyze complex legal documents
• Show discretion to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, and the public
• Advocate legal positions on behalf of the City

Demonstrated expertise in at least two core areas of municipal law: Public Finance, Employment and Labor, Tax, Land Use, Development, Special Districts, Purchasing, Water, Environmental, or Municipal Litigation



We strongly encourage all qualified candidates to apply. The job posting is scheduled to close May 30th with panel interviews anticipated for the week of June 10th. However, please note that the job posting may be closed without prior notice once a sufficient number of qualified candidates have applied.