Closing Date: 12th November, 2025
Description:
Salary$39.11 - $62.58 Hourly
$81,349 - $130,159 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C11
Posting Details
The New Mexico Department of Public Safety (DPS), a cabinet-level agency within the Governor's administration, is responsible for statewide law enforcement services, officer training, and disaster and emergency response. Within DPS, the Office of Legal Affairs serves as the agency's legal bureau, representing the department in all legal matters.
In 2023, the Law Enforcement Certification Board (LECB) was established and placed under the administrative oversight of DPS. The LECB is responsible for regulating law enforcement officer and public safety telecommunicator certifications.
Why does the job exist?
This attorney position, part of DPS's Office of Legal Affairs, serves as dedicated legal counsel and primary legal advisor to the Law Enforcement Certification Board (LECB). The LECB is responsible for issuing, renewing, denying, suspending, and revoking law enforcement officer and public safety telecommunicator certifications statewide, conducting fitness-for-duty investigations, and implementing and enforcing the Law Enforcement Training Act and Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Act. The attorney manages complex legal matters, drafts and interprets statutes and administrative rules, analyzes legislation, represents the Board in administrative, civil, and appellate proceedings, and collaborates closely with the New Mexico Department of Justice.
This attorney position, part of DPS's Office of Legal Affairs, serves as dedicated legal counsel and primary legal advisor to the Law Enforcement Certification Board (LECB). The LECB is responsible for issuing, renewing, denying, suspending, and revoking law enforcement officer and public safety telecommunicator certifications statewide, conducting fitness-for-duty investigations, and implementing and enforcing the Law Enforcement Training Act and Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Act. The attorney manages complex legal matters, drafts and interprets statutes and administrative rules, analyzes legislation, represents the Board in administrative, civil, and appellate proceedings, and collaborates closely with the New Mexico Department of Justice.
How does it get done?
Who are the customers?
The Law Enforcement Certification Board and its staff.
Ideal Candidate:
The Ideal Candidate has the below listed skills and experience:
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/.
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).
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and is conditional pending results. Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy.
In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting; late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints and challenging deadlines.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Julie Gallardo (505) 538-6374. julie.gallardo@dps.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.
- Provide legal advice and perform legal work through the analysis and interpretation of statutes, administrative rules, and court opinions, including the drafting of legal documents - 40%
- Represent the agency in civil and appellate proceedings - 30%
- Prepare, revise, and analyze legislation and administrative rules - 20%
- Conduct special projects and perform other related duties reasonably connected to the scope of work - 10%
The Law Enforcement Certification Board and its staff.
Ideal Candidate:
The Ideal Candidate has the below listed skills and experience:
- Criminal and/or civil litigation experience
- Strong legal research, writing, and communication skills
- Demonstrated organizational skills and productivity
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/.
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).
Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and fingerprinting in accordance with all terms and conditions of federal and state laws, rules and regulations, and is conditional pending results. Continued employment is contingent upon remaining felony free, per Section 5.12.1.1 of the Criminal Justice Information Systems Security Policy.
In addition, the selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate from the State of New Mexico.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting; late hours, weekends, on-call and callback work may be required. Will be exposed to regular periods of video display terminal and keyboard usage and stressful situations. Travel is required. Possible exposure to irate clientele. Incumbent will work under stress and frequent time constraints and challenging deadlines.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here
Agency Contact Information: Julie Gallardo (505) 538-6374. julie.gallardo@dps.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.
