County Counselor #26-8-1

Vacancy #26-8-1. Posted 8/4/2026.

About the role

This position performs legal work in the field of local government law, provides professional legal services to County departments, boards, and commissions, and oversees ad valorem tax-related legal work. The County Counselor acts as the primary legal advisor for the County and is responsible for litigation, administration, and collections.

Responsibilities

• Legal work (35%):
  • Perform legal research in local government law.
  • Attend County Commission and Board of Planning and Zoning meetings.
  • Provide legal services to County departments, boards, and commissions.
  • Draft resolutions, contracts, deeds, notices, grants, letters, and memoranda on various legal topics.
  • Prepare legal opinions for the County Commissioners, Department Heads, and Senior County Counselor.
  • Advise departments on legal matters.
• Litigation & Administration (30%):
  • Handle civil litigation in State and Federal District Court, including matters before administrative agencies (e.g., Board of Tax Appeals, Department of Labor, EEOC, KHRC, PERB).
  • Manage labor and employment matters, appeals in State and Federal Courts, bankruptcy, property tax, real property collections, code enforcement, zoning, and workers' compensation.
  • Defend County property values before the State Board of Tax Appeals, District Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court, including equalization appeals, tax exemption applications, grievances, and bankruptcy claims.
  • Prosecute nuisance and zoning violation cases for the Planning and Zoning Department.
  • Dispose of real and personal surplus property of the County.
• Collection (30%):
  • Collect unpaid personal property taxes through court hearings, garnishments, and attachments.
  • Manage the annual foreclosure process for unpaid real estate taxes.
• Other duties (5%): Perform additional tasks as assigned.

Requirements

• Act as legal advisor for County departments, boards, and commissions.
• Attend County Commission meetings to stay current on County business.
• Review and approve county contracts.
• Oversee ad valorem tax-related legal work for the County.

Pay

Salary range: $130,000–$190,000 (Level O, Step 1-15). Full-time with benefits.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervises Deputy County Counselor, Assistant County Counselor(s), and outside counsel.