Associate County Attorney I

Salary: $77,985.96 - $136,475.24 Annually
Location : 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646, MD
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: COUNTY ATTORNEY
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Summary
The hiring salary range is $77,985.85 - $85,784.44 annually commensurate with experience.

This is a repost of this position. Previous applicants need not reapply. Open until filled with a best consideration date of August 31, 2026.

Telework eligibility is determined by county policy and the approval of the hiring department.
Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Associate County Attorney I to work under the general supervision of the County Attorney. This position will provide legal advice and services to all County departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, as well as the County Commissioners and the County Administrator's Office.

Essential Job Functions

• Handles litigation in District and Circuit Courts and administrative appeals to the appellate courts.
• Interprets and enforces zoning and subdivision laws.
• Prepares real estate documents and other contracts.
• Drafts laws, ordinances, rules and regulations for Charles County, Maryland.
• Researches legal issues.
• Responds to various Public Information Act Requests
• Performs Legislative research/drafting
• Advises County Government Entities on various legal issues on an as-needed basis
• Interacts with General Public and Media regarding County legal issues.
• Provides legal counsel to County employees, boards and agencies.
• Attends meetings of County boards and agencies.
• Responds to Public Information Act requests for various departments
• Responds to citizen inquiries.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience:

Jurist Doctorate degree. One (1) year of experience in constitutional law, administrative law, legal research and writing.

Licenses or Certifications:

Member of Maryland Bar licensed to practice law in Maryland Courts.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Work is subject to frequent interruptions and inflexible deadlines.

This position is required to receive climate competency training level 1.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of administrative and constitutional law issues.
• Knowledge of legal research processes, to include knowledge of and the ability to use legal reference materials, automated and manual reference systems, sufficient to perform extensive and through research into applicable statutes, regulations, legislative history, court decisions and other opinions that may apply;
• Knowledge of the ethics of law practice.
• Ability to conduct legal research and write legal opinions.
• Ability to express ideas effectively both orally and in writing, including providing oral legal advice in public hearings.
• Ability to prepare/review legal documents.
• Ability to think clearly and objectively in high levels of stress.
• Ability to gain thorough knowledge of Charles County Government policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain client confidentiality.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity, and is performed in office surroundings. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; and the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.
Department: County Attorney

Pay Grade: 116

FLSA Status: Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports To: County Attorney

Supervises: None
CharlesCountyGovernment
BENEFITS SUMMARY
www.GovernmentJobs.com/Careers/CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.

Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave
• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules
• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026
01

Do you have any experience with a government agency? Please explain.
02

Do you have courtroom and/or trial experience? If so, please describe the nature of your experience.
03

This position may require some evening meetings each month. Is this acceptable to you?

• Yes
• No

04

The hiring salary range for this position is $77,985.85 - $85,784.44 annually, commensurate with experience. Salary will be determined for the selected candidate based on related experience and other factors. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the hiring salary range for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the hiring salary range for this position.

05

For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

06

Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question