Closing Date: 19th March, 2026
Description:
Salary$39.11 - $62.58 Hourly
$81,349 - $130,159 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C11
Posting Details
Under the leadership of Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) 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.
This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.
Why does the job exist?
Provide legal services to public bodies for which the Bureau serves as legal advisor; develop and improve Bureau processes in coordination with Bureau and Division leadership and support staff; collaborate with Bureau attorneys concerning legal needs; perform legal analysis; engage in the OMA/IPRA compliance program and take necessary enforcement action; enforce other governmental accountability and transparency laws; conduct OMA/IPRA trainings throughout the state for public bodies; review other statutorily required documents; and represent public bodies in the appeals process and other assigned litigation.
More experienced attorneys provide legal services to sophisticated state clients; mentor junior attorneys; take on more complex litigation and enforcement matters; and assist in developing and implementing consistent standards and practices in litigated matters.
Provide legal services to public bodies for which the Bureau serves as legal advisor; develop and improve Bureau processes in coordination with Bureau and Division leadership and support staff; collaborate with Bureau attorneys concerning legal needs; perform legal analysis; engage in the OMA/IPRA compliance program and take necessary enforcement action; enforce other governmental accountability and transparency laws; conduct OMA/IPRA trainings throughout the state for public bodies; review other statutorily required documents; and represent public bodies in the appeals process and other assigned litigation.
More experienced attorneys provide legal services to sophisticated state clients; mentor junior attorneys; take on more complex litigation and enforcement matters; and assist in developing and implementing consistent standards and practices in litigated matters.
How does it get done?
Assigned Client Representation ¿ Advise and train assigned public bodies on the following: powers and duties; the Governmental Conduct Act; the Open Meetings Act; the Inspection of Public Records Act; the State Rules Act; and the 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.
Administrative Appeals and Litigation ¿ Represent public bodies in district and appellate courts in defending administrative decisions appealed under Rules 1-074 and 1-075 NMRA. Represent public bodies in other occasional litigation, including defending extraordinary writs, injunctions, declaratory actions, and other matters.
Government Accountability ¿ Review and conduct investigations of government accountability and transparency matters. Issue advisory and guidance letters on OMA and IPRA. Respond to incoming emails or phone calls requesting information on OMA or IPRA. Conduct trainings across the state on accountability and transparency laws. Bring investigations, litigation, and other enforcement actions against violators of OMA, IPRA, and other governmental transparency laws.
Legislative Affairs ¿ Research and draft fiscal impact reports (FIRs) during legislative sessions. Assist with other legislative or policy needs, including reports, recommendations, and presentations.
Review and approval of school bonds.
Review and approval of contract jail agreements.
Review and approval of former employee contracts.
Assigned Client Representation ¿ Advise and train assigned public bodies on the following: powers and duties; the Governmental Conduct Act; the Open Meetings Act; the Inspection of Public Records Act; the State Rules Act; and the 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.
Administrative Appeals and Litigation ¿ Represent public bodies in district and appellate courts in defending administrative decisions appealed under Rules 1-074 and 1-075 NMRA. Represent public bodies in other occasional litigation, including defending extraordinary writs, injunctions, declaratory actions, and other matters.
Government Accountability ¿ Review and conduct investigations of government accountability and transparency matters. Issue advisory and guidance letters on OMA and IPRA. Respond to incoming emails or phone calls requesting information on OMA or IPRA. Conduct trainings across the state on accountability and transparency laws. Bring investigations, litigation, and other enforcement actions against violators of OMA, IPRA, and other governmental transparency laws.
Legislative Affairs ¿ Research and draft fiscal impact reports (FIRs) during legislative sessions. Assist with other legislative or policy needs, including reports, recommendations, and presentations.
Review and approval of school bonds.
Review and approval of contract jail agreements.
Review and approval of former employee contracts.
Who are the customers?
The Attorney General is the state¿s attorney, and the work of an Assistant Attorney General is performed on behalf of the State of New Mexico through the delegation of authority from the Attorney General. The position is directly supervised by the Division Director, who directs the majority of this position¿s work.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate has strong judgment; excellent written and verbal communication skills; the ability to handle complex matters that cut across many legal and related areas; leadership skills; the ability to identify and anticipate a wide variety of legal issues and risks; decisiveness in strategic approaches to the law; impeccable ethics and integrity; 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 law the Division advises on regularly, and the ideal candidate will have a general understanding of the following:
Administrative law, including the State Rules Act, the Uniform Licensing Act, and administrative appeals
Public finance, including state procurement, issuance of bonds, purchase agreements, and grant funding
Transparency laws, including OMA, IPRA, and the Governmental Conduct Act
Transactional matters, including Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, property contracts, services contracts, and other state contract review
Ethics and corruption laws
Environmental and natural resources laws
Public safety laws
Compliance and risk management
Senior attorneys will demonstrate an innate ability and experience in effectively communicating at all levels with a variety of different stakeholders; taking on additional duties and responsibilities; handling 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.
Minimum Qualification:
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.
Employment Requirements:
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
Candidate must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico; or must obtain a Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Limited in-state and out-of-state travel may be required on occasion. It is anticipated the person in this position will hold a valid driver's license and be able to lawfully operate a state-owned motor vehicle when necessary.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information:Veronica Batres, vbatres@nmdoj.gov, Email ( vbatres@nmdoj.gov)
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position:
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
The Attorney General is the state¿s attorney, and the work of an Assistant Attorney General is performed on behalf of the State of New Mexico through the delegation of authority from the Attorney General. The position is directly supervised by the Division Director, who directs the majority of this position¿s work.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate has strong judgment; excellent written and verbal communication skills; the ability to handle complex matters that cut across many legal and related areas; leadership skills; the ability to identify and anticipate a wide variety of legal issues and risks; decisiveness in strategic approaches to the law; impeccable ethics and integrity; 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 law the Division advises on regularly, and the ideal candidate will have a general understanding of the following:
Administrative law, including the State Rules Act, the Uniform Licensing Act, and administrative appeals
Public finance, including state procurement, issuance of bonds, purchase agreements, and grant funding
Transparency laws, including OMA, IPRA, and the Governmental Conduct Act
Transactional matters, including Joint Powers Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding, property contracts, services contracts, and other state contract review
Ethics and corruption laws
Environmental and natural resources laws
Public safety laws
Compliance and risk management
Senior attorneys will demonstrate an innate ability and experience in effectively communicating at all levels with a variety of different stakeholders; taking on additional duties and responsibilities; handling 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.
Minimum Qualification:
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.
Employment Requirements:
All Attorney classifications must be and remain licensed as an attorney, in good standing, by the Supreme Court of New Mexico, or licensed as an attorney and in good standing by the highest court of another state and eligible pursuant to the limited license provisions (See Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA).
Candidate must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and current Defensive Driving Course Certification from the State of New Mexico; or must obtain a Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to visual/video display terminals (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage with extended periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 25 lbs. Limited in-state and out-of-state travel may be required on occasion. It is anticipated the person in this position will hold a valid driver's license and be able to lawfully operate a state-owned motor vehicle when necessary.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information:Veronica Batres, vbatres@nmdoj.gov, Email ( vbatres@nmdoj.gov)
For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.
Bargaining Unit Position:
This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
