The Office of the Child’s Representative (OCR)'s mission is to give children and youth a voice in Colorado legal proceedings through high-quality legal representation that protects and promotes their safety, interests, and rights.

Our Vision
Justice, opportunity, and healthy families for all court-involved children and youth.

Accountability: Colorado’s children, attorneys, families, and communities can count on OCR to ensure that each decision we make and action we take advances our mission in a fair, equitable, inclusive, and transparent manner.

Efficiency: OCR strives to accomplish its mission and conserve resources by streamlining efforts, adhering to deadlines, resolving conflict constructively, and honoring well-defined projects, processes, and roles. We balance our drive to achieve with thoughtful planning and implementation.

Empowerment: OCR cultivates an environment of respect, honesty, and equity. We value the diverse experiences and expertise of the children we serve, our attorneys, and our staff. We invest time to reflect and connect, focus on strengths, value feedback, and recognize success. We stand for justice and support each other in our mission to empower children.

The OCR is an independent agency within the State of Colorado Judicial Branch that provides attorney guardian ad litem (GAL), child's legal representative (CLR), and counsel for youth services to children and youth in dependency and neglect (D&N), delinquency, and other proceedings throughout Colorado. The OCR’s El Paso County Office is responsible for providing GAL services in D&N and delinquency cases and counsel services
for youth accessing Colorado’s Transition Age Youth program.

The OCR’s El Paso County Office currently constitutes the OCR’s only office providing these services through state employees (12 FTE attorneys, 5 case consultants, and 3 administrative staff) rather than independent contracts. As such, this office provides a unique opportunity to protect the interests and advance the rights of individual children through high-quality multidisciplinary legal representation to influence systemic change through coordinated and strategic advocacy and to incubate and implement best practices in legal representation.OCR seeks to hire one or more full-time entry-level attorneys. The Office of the Guardian ad Litem provides legal representation for children and youth in delinquency and dependency, and neglect cases. Attorneys are expected to prepare and conduct all aspects of assigned cases at the trial court level.

This position is currently working from the office and otherwise remotely from home during the Covid-19 pandemic; OCR anticipates an eventual transition to either a full-time or hybrid return to the office. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position routinely handles emergency or crisis situations and may be frequently subject to interruptions, multiple calls and inquiries. The OCR El Paso County Office of the GAL’s primary work takes place in El Paso County; however, special projects or duties outside the primary scope of the position may require travel to events outside of the Front Range, including meetings, trainings, and conferences (state and national). The estimated amount of work time related to travel outside of the Front Range for this position is less than 10 percent.

• J.D. or L.L.B. from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in Colorado and member in good standing of the Colorado State Bar.
• No history of disciplinary action by any state bar licensing authority.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to make good decisions, maintain confidentiality, establish effective working relationships, and thoroughly document work.
• Strong dedication to representing children and youth.
• Solid computer skills are essential.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled/conducted as they are
received; applicants are encouraged to submit their application materials as soon as possible.

HOW TO APPLY:
Email cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references to: nlyells@guardianadlitemelpaso.org

Applications will not be considered that contain documents that are illegible or incomplete or are in a file format OCR cannot open or read (PDF preferred, Microsoft Word is acceptable). Be sure your application materials specifically address your experience and qualifications for the position described in this document. Successful applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.