Closing Date: 28th October, 2026
Description:
Salary$40.28 - $64.45 Hourly
$83,790 - $134,063 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C11
Posting Details
This position can be based in two of the Division's locations: Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
The Oil Conservation Division of EMNRD regulates oil and gas activity in New Mexico. The Division's core responsibilities include issuing permits for new wells, enforcing state and division rules, collecting data on well production, managing the spill reporting process, ensuring abandoned wells are properly plugged, and requiring the responsible restoration of land affected by oil and gas operations.
This position is assigned to provide primary legal support to the Oil Conservation Division (OCD) and is part of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), which provides legal representation, guidance, and support to all EMNRD divisions. The OGC ensures the Department's programs operate in accordance with state and federal law, supports rulemaking and policy development, manages litigation, and advises senior leadership.
As a valued new employee to EMNRD, you will receive five (5) full days of leave in your leave balances right from your start date.
Why does the job exist?
Provide legal advice and support to Oil Conservation Division (OCD) employees and management and legal and policy advice in complex and difficult oil and gas regulatory situations to the senior Department officials, including the General Counsel. The position will: (1) coordinate development and preparation of OCD's compliance actions including obtaining orders to plug inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells and recover any financial assurance; (2) provide legal advice and representation on various issues within OCD; (3) handle a considerable legal workload including compliance actions before OCD hearing examiners, the Oil Conservation Commission, and the Water Quality Control Commission; (4) be responsible for complaints brought in the district courts to enforce settlement agreements, OCD compliance orders, and other actions to remedy violations of the Oil and Gas Act and other statutes OCD is responsible for enforcing; and, (5) provide quality legal advice, representation, and advocacy for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and for other programs as may be assigned.
This position is essential to helping the OCD carry out its mission effectively, lawfully, and in coordination with state, federal, and local partners.
Provide legal advice and support to Oil Conservation Division (OCD) employees and management and legal and policy advice in complex and difficult oil and gas regulatory situations to the senior Department officials, including the General Counsel. The position will: (1) coordinate development and preparation of OCD's compliance actions including obtaining orders to plug inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells and recover any financial assurance; (2) provide legal advice and representation on various issues within OCD; (3) handle a considerable legal workload including compliance actions before OCD hearing examiners, the Oil Conservation Commission, and the Water Quality Control Commission; (4) be responsible for complaints brought in the district courts to enforce settlement agreements, OCD compliance orders, and other actions to remedy violations of the Oil and Gas Act and other statutes OCD is responsible for enforcing; and, (5) provide quality legal advice, representation, and advocacy for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and for other programs as may be assigned.
This position is essential to helping the OCD carry out its mission effectively, lawfully, and in coordination with state, federal, and local partners.
How does it get done?
Provide legal advice and support to Oil Conservation Division (OCD) employees and management and legal and policy advice in complex and difficult oil and gas regulatory situations to the senior Department officials, including the General Counsel. The position will:
Who are the customers?
This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in protecting natural resources, public health, the environment, and groundwater resources of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who understands the legal aspects of the oil and gas industry.
The Ideal Candidate Should Have:
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 obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted. Must have a valid Driver's License and obtain a Defensive Driving Certification within 30 days of employment.
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).
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Jesse Tremaine 505-231-9312 Email (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
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 support to Oil Conservation Division (OCD) employees and management and legal and policy advice in complex and difficult oil and gas regulatory situations to the senior Department officials, including the General Counsel. The position will:
- Coordinate development and preparation of OCD's compliance actions including obtaining orders to plug inactive and abandoned oil and gas wells and recover any financial assurance
- Provide legal advice and representation on various issues within OCD, including procurement (Federal and State) and Inspection of Public Records Act (IPRA)
- Handle a considerable legal workload including compliance actions before OCD hearing examiners, the Oil Conservation Commission, and the Water Quality Control Commission
- Be responsible for complaints brought in the district courts to enforce settlement agreements, OCD compliance orders, and other actions to remedy violations of the Oil and Gas Act and other statutes OCD is responsible for enforcing
- Provide quality legal advice, representation, and advocacy for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) and for other programs as may be assigned
- Other duties as assigned
This job supports the oil and gas industry, other state and federal agencies and the general public. This position plays a vital role in protecting natural resources, public health, the environment, and groundwater resources of New Mexico.
Ideal Candidate:
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate who understands the legal aspects of the oil and gas industry.
The Ideal Candidate Should Have:
- Project Management
- Litigation 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 obtain a limited law license within six (6) months of hire (See Rule 15-304 NMRA). Individuals pursuing the limited law license may not engage in the practice of law until the limited law license has been granted. Must have a valid Driver's License and obtain a Defensive Driving Certification within 30 days of employment.
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).
Working Conditions:
Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some travel may be required.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Jesse Tremaine 505-231-9312 Email (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
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.
