Closing Date: 3rd June, 2026
Description:
Salary$39.11 - $62.58 Hourly
$81,349 - $130,159 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C11
Posting Details
The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) works to position New Mexico as a leader in energy and natural resource stewardship. The agency is responsible for developing reliable energy resources, conserving renewable and nonrenewable resources, supporting responsible land reclamation, improving forest and watershed health, and managing a statewide system of state parks.
The Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides legal representation, guidance, and support to all EMNRD divisions. OGC ensures the Department's programs operate in compliance with state and federal law, supports rulemaking and policy development, manages litigation, and advises senior leadership. This position is housed within the Office of General Counsel and is assigned to provide primary legal support to the Forestry Division.
Interviews anticipated to be conducted within 2 weeks of closing date.
Why does the job exist?
This position exists to provide specialized legal representation and counsel to the Forestry Division on behalf of the Office of General Counsel. The role ensures the Division's programs, wildfire response activities, procurement processes, rulemaking, contracts, and administrative actions comply with state and federal law. It supports senior leadership in managing litigation, developing policies, drafting and reviewing legal documents, and interpreting complex statutory and regulatory requirements so the Division can carry out its mission effectively and lawfully.
This position exists to provide specialized legal representation and counsel to the Forestry Division on behalf of the Office of General Counsel. The role ensures the Division's programs, wildfire response activities, procurement processes, rulemaking, contracts, and administrative actions comply with state and federal law. It supports senior leadership in managing litigation, developing policies, drafting and reviewing legal documents, and interpreting complex statutory and regulatory requirements so the Division can carry out its mission effectively and lawfully.
How does it get done?
This position provides comprehensive legal services to the Forestry Division on behalf of the Office of General Counsel. It exists to ensure the Division's wildfire response activities, grants, contracts, procurement processes, and program operations comply with complex state and federal laws. The role prepares and reviews legal documents, manages administrative and judicial litigation, supports rulemaking and policy development, drafts and analyzes legislation, and advises senior leadership on a wide range of legal and operational issues. This position is essential to helping the Forestry Division carry out its mission effectively, lawfully, and in coordination with state, federal, and local partners.
This position provides comprehensive legal services to the Forestry Division on behalf of the Office of General Counsel. It exists to ensure the Division's wildfire response activities, grants, contracts, procurement processes, and program operations comply with complex state and federal laws. The role prepares and reviews legal documents, manages administrative and judicial litigation, supports rulemaking and policy development, drafts and analyzes legislation, and advises senior leadership on a wide range of legal and operational issues. This position is essential to helping the Forestry Division carry out its mission effectively, lawfully, and in coordination with state, federal, and local partners.
Who are the customers?
This position serves the Office of General Counsel and provides dedicated legal support to the Forestry Division. The work supports the Forestry Division Director, EMNRD senior leadership, program managers, and staff by ensuring their programs, contracts, rulemaking, wildfire response activities, and operations are legally sound and compliant with state and federal law.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced attorney with strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of the state and federal laws governing forestry, wildfire response, procurement, and administrative processes. They can manage complex, time-sensitive legal matters; draft and review high quality legal documents; and represent the Department effectively in administrative and judicial proceedings. They communicate clearly, work collaboratively with leadership, and provide practical, well-reasoned legal advice. Experience in rulemaking, procurement law, and government representation is highly desirable, along with the ability to navigate multifaceted issues with sound judgment and professionalism.
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).
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. The position may require occasional evening or weekend hours, as well as on-call or callback work during urgent or time-sensitive matters. Responsibilities involve extensive computer and keyboard use, managing deadlines, and navigating stressful situations. 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: Cindy Pino, (505) 607-5571 Email (Cindy.Pino@emnrd.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.
This position serves the Office of General Counsel and provides dedicated legal support to the Forestry Division. The work supports the Forestry Division Director, EMNRD senior leadership, program managers, and staff by ensuring their programs, contracts, rulemaking, wildfire response activities, and operations are legally sound and compliant with state and federal law.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is an experienced attorney with strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of the state and federal laws governing forestry, wildfire response, procurement, and administrative processes. They can manage complex, time-sensitive legal matters; draft and review high quality legal documents; and represent the Department effectively in administrative and judicial proceedings. They communicate clearly, work collaboratively with leadership, and provide practical, well-reasoned legal advice. Experience in rulemaking, procurement law, and government representation is highly desirable, along with the ability to navigate multifaceted issues with sound judgment and professionalism.
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).
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment. The position may require occasional evening or weekend hours, as well as on-call or callback work during urgent or time-sensitive matters. Responsibilities involve extensive computer and keyboard use, managing deadlines, and navigating stressful situations. 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: Cindy Pino, (505) 607-5571 Email (Cindy.Pino@emnrd.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.
