Closing Date: 30th June, 2023
Description:
The Administrative Office of the Courts is recruiting for a full-time, classified, term, AOC Deputy General Counsel position #10115747-21800, in Santa Fe or Albuquerque, NM. General Statement of Duties: Acting under general direction of the AOC General Counsel provide statewide legal advice and opinions on court administration to justices, judges, and staff, as well as the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), and the Judiciary. Finalist(s) may be subject to a criminal background check.Examples of Job Duties
- The AOC Deputy General Counsel assist the AOC General Counsel in the areas of contract law, finance, human resources, civil and criminal law, licensing, procurement, and court administration.
- Assists the AOC General Counsel in the management of attorneys, staff and contractors who administer statewide court programs including Access to Justice, statewide Alternative Dispute Resolution, Guardianship and Domestic Violence, Court Appointed Attorneys, juvenile justice initiatives, and the Court Improvement Project.
- May oversee or assist with oversight of the Water Rights Adjudication Program for the courts, and conduct legal research and analysis for the water rights adjudications pending in state district court.
- Performs legal research and analysis, responds to specific legal questions, and provides legal advice to the AOC, appellate, and district courts.
- Reviews statutes, rules, and case law; and recommends policy, procedural, and program changes; and represents and advises the AOC in its operation and management of facilities.
- May direct various management programs for the New Mexico Judiciary including but not limited to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), Court Improvement Projects, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and the Safe Exchange Supervised Visit program.
- Develops and conducts training for the Judiciary and participates in AOC or other statewide judicial committees; represents the AOC and the judiciary at legislative or other governmental statewide committees;
- May appear and testify before commissions and other legislative bodies; lobby on behalf of statewide judicial initiatives; attend legislative hearings and speaks on behalf of the Judicial Branch. Tracks, reviews, analyzes and advises Justices, Judges and statewide court administration on proposed and final legislation. Manages and oversees legislative strategic planning; monitors and analyzes the impact of proposed changes to laws, rules and procedures; and disseminates case law that affects the Judicial Branch.
- Negotiates, drafts, reviews, approves and administers leases, contracts, proposals, professional service agreements, price agreements, memoranda of understanding, letter agreements, software license agreements, and intergovernmental agreements for the AOC; recommends and implements contract negotiation strategies; provides oversight of contractor's performance.
- Drafts, reviews, negotiates and approves requests for proposals, contracts, memoranda of understanding, joint powers agreement, leases, letter agreements, software licenses and professional service agreements for the AOC; assists in preparing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitations to Bid (ITBs); and assists in overseeing the procurement process and the application of public procurement law. Consults with courts statewide about procurement issues.
- May train, supervise, mentor, evaluate and motivate legal staff and assist with the oversight of the day-to-day operations of the legal services division. Provides requested legal advice to Municipal and Probate Courts statewide.
- Assesses needs and advocates for appropriate resources for programs within the Division.
- Represents the Judiciary at legislative or other governmental statewide committees.
- Other duties as assigned.
Competencies/qualifications
The successful applicant should demonstrate comprehensive and advanced knowledge of legislative processes, commercial transactions, leases, contract administration; judiciary processes and policies, public administration, legislative processes, administrative, civil and criminal law and procedure, and general litigation. The position requires demonstrated knowledge of court jurisdiction, local court rules, court structure and operations, New Mexico case law, state constitution and statutes, as well as federal constitutional law and statutes, Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure, Rules of Appellate Procedure, Rules of Evidence, the Code of Judicial Conduct, and Rules of Professional Conduct. Ability to balance practical and legal considerations, develop procedures, comprehend and explain complex issues, and solve problems.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
The following functions are representative, but not all-inclusive of the work environment and physical demands an employee may expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job. Work is performed in an office or court setting. A valid driver's license and travel may be required. The assigned work schedule may include nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime. The employee must regularly interact positively with co-workers, clients, the public, judges, and justices.
*This job description is Illustrative Only and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed
Benefits:
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx, Short, and Long Term Disability Insurance Programs, employee assistance program (EAP) [http://www.mybenefitsnm.com/]
- State paid life insurance, supplemental and dependent life insurance
- Optional flexible spending accounts for medical, day-care, and travel expenses
- Paid time off, up to eight (8) weeks
- Paid time off and retirement buyback
- Eleven (11) paid holidays
- Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
- Lifetime Defined Benefits Retirement Plan [http://www.nmpera.org/]
- Flexible work schedules and alternative work locations*
- Free health care, Rx, and lab work at the facility (Stay Well Health Center) in Santa Fe, NM
- Bilingual compensation*
- Training and career development opportunities
- Higher education opportunities, educational leave, and tuition reimbursement
- May qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
- May receive overtime holiday or shift differential pay*
- May receive physical fitness leave*
Qualifications:
- Education: Must be a graduate of a law school meeting the standards of accreditation of the American Bar Association; possess and maintain a license to practice law in the State of New Mexico.
- Education Substitution: None.
- Experience: Six (6) years of experience in the applicable practice of law, of which one (1) year must have been as a supervisor overseeing the work product of other attorneys.
- Experience Substitution: None.
- Supervisory Substitution: None