Under the leadership of Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the New Mexico Department of Justice serves as the chief legal authority for the state of New Mexico. The NMDOJ works to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, and the rights of all citizens are protected. The NMDOJ has broad statutory authority over civil legal matters and proceedings involving the state. The Government Counsel and Accountability Bureau provide legal advice and defends Boards, Commissions, and Agencies around the State. The Bureau reviews complaints alleging OMA and IPRA violations and brings enforcement actions under state laws for these violations. The Bureau also provides review for other statutorily required AG review of school bonds, government employee contract review, and jail agreements. The Bureau’s attorneys are essential in fulfilling the Attorney General’s statutory duty to provide legal advice and representation to various parts of the state government and to help ensure that the government remains accessible, accountable, and transparent across the state.
Responsibilities
Assigned Client Representation – Advise and train assigned public bodies on: Powers and Duties, Governmental Conduct Act, Open Meetings Act, Inspection of Public Records Act, State Rules Act, Uniform Licensing Act; Provide procedural advice and review on Administrative Proceedings, Rulemaking, and in some instances, Appeals and Litigation; Assist with the coordination and facilitation of disciplinary administrative proceedings; Provide assistance and legal advice to hearing officers, and staff on procedural, evidentiary, and due process requirements under the Uniform Licensing Act or other applicable law; Assist with conducting and defending public rule hearings under the New Mexico State Rules Act.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate has strong judgment, excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to deal with complex matters that cut across many legal and related areas, leadership skills, the ability to spot and anticipate a wide variety of legal issues and risks, is decisive in strategic approaches to the law, has impeccable ethics and integrity, has a curiosity to learn and become a general legal subject-matter expert, and the ability to independently multitask in a high volume environment with the possibility of frequent interruptions.
The following are areas of the law the Division advises on regularly, and the ideal candidate will have a general understanding of the following:
-Administrative law, including State Rules Act, Uniform Licensing Act, and administrative appeals
-Public Finance, including state procurement, issuance of bonds, purchase agreements, grant funding, Tax
Transparency Laws, including OMA, IPRA, Governmental Conduct
-Transactional, including Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, Property Contracts, Services Contracts, and other state contracts review
-Ethics and Corruption Laws
-Environmental and Natural Resources Laws
-Public Safety Laws
-Compliance and Risk Management
Senior attorneys will demonstrate and innate ability and experience in, effectively communicating at all levels with a variety of different stake holders, taking on additional duties and responsibilities, the ability to handle more complex matters and assignments, presiding over more complex investigations and litigation, mentoring and inspiring others, and conducting regular trainings on a wide variety of subjects.
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law. Must be licensed as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Mexico or qualified to apply for limited practice license.
Application Process
To apply please visit www.spo.state.nm.us. Once there you can search for the position by name or by the job ID number, which is 160576. If you do not currently have a SPO (State Personnel Office) account, you will be prompted to create one before you can apply.
