Title: Deputy District Attorney II/III/IV - Appeals **$7500 Sign On Incentive**
Job Number: 685
Salary: $93,021.24 - $179,796.24
Sign-on Incentive: $7,500.00
Department: District Attorney
Division: District Attorney's Office
Location: 6450 S. Revere Pkwy, Centennial, CO, 80111
Job Type: Salary Full-Time
Posting Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: 08/09/2026
The Arapahoe County government serves its communities in ways both obvious and obscure. As the beating heart of local and regional government, we’re here for our neighbors on their best days—and their worst. We share our residents’ goals of preserving our quality of life and strive to be the place we’re proud to call home.
*** $7500.00 signing incentive for new employees hired into this position!*** All sign-on bonuses will be paid in 3 payments over the first year of employment with the County: 1/3 on first paycheck, 1/3 at the completion of 6 months and 1/3 at the completion of 12 months. If the employee does not finish the year OR they move to a different position, they will forfeit the remaining payments. This incentive is for new County employees hired into this position; current Arapahoe County employees are not eligible.
NOTE: While this position may be eligible for career progression, the county anticipates hiring this position as a Deputy District Attorney II/III/IV - Appeals commensurate with experience.
NOTE: Education and Experience Requirement for all levels I/II/III/IV are:
• Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
• Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado
Additional requirements and salary range for each level below are:
Deputy DA II
• 5+ years litigation experience.
• The full salary range for the Deputy DA II is $93,021.24 - $148,592.08
Deputy DA III
• 8+ years litigation experience.
• The full salary range for the Deputy DA III is $102,323.00 - $163,451.08
Deputy DA IV
• 12+ years litigation experience
• The full salary range for the Deputy DA IV is $112,555.04 - $179,796.24
Note:
Please upload a recent writing sample (e.g., motion, brief, petition, etc.) that reflects your own work. If the work was co-authored, please indicate your contribution. Please ensure all confidential or identifying client information is redacted and, if necessary, obtain permission from former employers before submitting.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF JOB:
The Deputy District Attorney – Appeals serves as an appellate advocate in criminal appeals before the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Court of Appeals, and the District Court of Arapahoe County. Also provides legal support for trial deputies and serves as a training resource and legal expert.
DUTIES:
- In the Colorado Supreme Court, prosecutes certiorari appeals under C.A.R. 49-54, original proceedings under C.A.R. 21, and interlocutory appeals of suppression rulings under C.A.R. 4.1.
- In the Colorado Court of Appeals, prosecutes state-initiated appeals and cross-appeals of pretrial, trial, and sentencing issues under C.A.R. 4 and C.A.R. 4.1.
- In the District Court of Arapahoe County, responds to defense-initiated appeals of misdemeanor convictions and prosecutes state-initiated appeals of suppression rulings under Crim. P. 37 and Crim. P. 37.1.
- Performs extensive legal research, writes appellate briefs and conducts appellate oral arguments.
- Provides support to trial deputies, including legal research, motion analysis, trial strategy, and guidance on post-conviction motions.
- Develops strategy and crafts legal arguments on cutting-edge constitutional, statutory, and procedural issues.
- Assists in drafting proposed legislation and amendments to the rules of criminal procedure.
- Serves as a legal expert and training resource for prosecutors and law enforcement agencies.
- Provide assistance in postconviction matters including briefs related to Crim. P. 35(c) claims, responding to petitions for clemency and/ or pardon, Forensic Science Integrity Act responses.
- In major cases may provide in court legal support for trial attorneys on complex motions or instructional issues.
REQUIREMENTS:
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:
- Considerable to extensive knowledge of the rules of criminal procedure and the rules of evidence; ability to effectively apply same in a courtroom setting related to felony offenses. Considerable knowledge of state statutes and substantive case law related to felony and misdemeanor offenses. Ability to advocate and/or present legal/factual scenarios in a clear and persuasive manner to persons of highly varying legal, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Ability to effectively advocate criminal case issues while maintaining a balance of equal justice between victims, the People of the State of Colorado, and affected defendants; ability to assess cases for strengths versus weaknesses and aggravators versus mitigators to determine just and ethical outcomes that are consistent with the goals of the District Attorney.
- Ability to react quickly and appropriately in court to defense arguments and court inquiries. Ability to write in a succinct and well-reasoned manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, defense attorneys, victims, judges, court staff, police officers, witnesses, related agencies' personnel, and the general public; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.
Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):
Accountability Accessibility Inclusivity Integrity
Education and Experience:
- Graduation from law school as provided under Rule 205.1 of the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado
- 5+ years litigation experience.
- Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- 5 + years Criminal Deputy DA litigation experience or Assistant Attorney General experience preferred.
Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:
- Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
- Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
- Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check.
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Colorado.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Work is split between a standard office environment, attending court, responding to crime scenes, and meetings inside and outside of the office with law enforcement, victims, and witnesses in various settings.
- Remote work may be permitted as provided by Office policies.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Spends 80% of the time sitting and 20% of the time either standing or walking.
- Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 30 lbs.
- Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 30 lbs.
- Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
- Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar web based meetings and in public meetings and personal interactions.
- Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
- Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.
Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).
- Visits to crime scenes may involve exposure to hazardous environments or extreme heat/cold.
- Observation of autopsies may involve the wearing of PPE.
Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.
** Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.
** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.
Nearest Major Market: Denver