Closing Date: 23rd January, 2026

Description:

Salary
$44.98 - $71.96 Hourly

$93,552 - $149,683 Annually

This position is a Pay Band C12

Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated within two (2) weeks of closing date.

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) is the primary public health governmental agency of the state of New Mexico. The Department of Health is composed of various organizational units with different functions and activities. The NMDOH Office of General Counsel is the office of in-house attorneys who represent the agency and advise agency staff in their work. While the main Office of General Counsel is located in Santa Fe, NM there is opportunity to work out of the NMDOH offices in Albuquerque, NM.

Why does the job exist?
This position serves in the NMDOH Office of General Counsel as one of several attorneys and provides representation for the agency.

How does it get done?
This attorney position will provide legal advice and representation concerning various areas of state and federal law. The position will represent the agency in judicial proceedings in state and federal courts, as well as proceedings before administrative hearing officers and administrative tribunals. The position will respond to legal requests from within the agency and will provide legal opinions and recommendations to agency staff. The attorney will advise about, draft, and edit policies, participate in rule-makings for NMDOH, and will analyze proposed statutory text to assess potential impacts to the agency. This position will advise various divisions and bureaus of the agency, as primary and as back-up counsel. This attorney position will also assist the Office of General Counsel with other legal matters as assigned by the attorney's supervisor.

Who are the customers?
This attorney position represents the Department of Health and its various divisions and bureaus.

Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will:
  • Be licensed to practice law in New Mexico (or be pending NM licensure);
  • Have strong advocacy and litigation skills;
  • Be effective at communicating complex legal issues to lay persons;
  • Have the ability to manage a significant and complex case load; and
  • Have an interest In Public Health Law.

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 (Rules 15-301.1 and 15-301.2 NMRA). For more information on limited practice licenses, please visit http://nmexam.org/limited-license/

Minimum Qualification:
Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited school of law and two (2) years of experience in the practice 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:
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Some statewide travel may be required. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints. Must have own mode of transportation for work-related travel.

Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)

Agency Contact Information: Jacob Clark, (505) 827-2997, Email (Jacob.Clark@doh.nm.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.