Closing Date: 10th November, 2026
Description:
Salary
$40.28 - $64.45 Hourly$83,790 - $134,063 Annually
This position is a Pay Band C11
Posting Details
Interviews are anticipated to be conducted within two weeks of closing date.
***Applications submitted without work experience, or a resume will not be considered. If attaching a resume, the resume must include dates of employment for each job (month & year) and details of work experience/job duties. Please make sure to attach transcripts, degree, or licensure if required in the minimum qualifications. *****
OSE/ISC participates in the federal E-Verify program and will use this system to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. They must provide identification to confirm work eligibility on their first day of work.
To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website: https://www.ose.nm.gov/
OSE/ISC participates in the federal E-Verify program and will use this system to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. They must provide identification to confirm work eligibility on their first day of work.
To learn more about the Office of the State Engineer, please visit our website: https://www.ose.nm.gov/
Why does the job exist?
To provide professional lower level legal services on complex, and sensitive matters of water law in the specific areas of water rights adjudications, and water right negotiations for the office of the State Engineer, Litigation & Adjudication Program and include the provision of legal advice in moderately complex litigation matters, interpretation of legal research, analysis, and mediation.
To provide professional lower level legal services on complex, and sensitive matters of water law in the specific areas of water rights adjudications, and water right negotiations for the office of the State Engineer, Litigation & Adjudication Program and include the provision of legal advice in moderately complex litigation matters, interpretation of legal research, analysis, and mediation.
How does it get done?
Perform moderately complex, and sensitive litigation: Conduct moderately complex and sensitive litigation in State Courts with minimal supervision and perform appellate duties for cases on appeal. Research complex and specialized areas of environmental and water law. Prepare and argue motions and draft legal pleading for hearings; conduct discovery, including depositions, admissions and interrogatories for hearings. Assist in conducting trials, including witness preparation, presentation of expert testimony, other evidentiary presentations and oral arguments.
Serve as Attorney in moderately complex water rights adjudication: This job task is accomplished through the application of legal principles and precedents, preparing moderately complex litigation through reviewing case documentation; making determinations of legal position and strategy; initiating legal documents; conducting interviews; and preparing witnesses to testify and demonstrating mastery of the law. In addition, this position will represent the State of New Mexico and the agency in complex litigation in state court and develop and coordinate discovery. Coordinate and/or perform legal research and analysis of laws, legal precedents, legal issues, and rules/regulations.
Provide legal advice to policy makers on matters impacting the agency and the state: Explain and/or interpret the law to agency personnel; advise policy makers as to the legal appropriateness of proposals and potential actions or courses of action; research, analyze and interpret changes in legislation, laws, rules, court decisions and precedents to determine, anticipate, evaluate and assess possible agency impact; and, participate on management teams to develop and implement strategic plan to meet the agency mission.
Assist in negotiations of settlement agreements to resolve major cases: Assist in conducting negotiations/mediations, including alternative dispute resolution techniques and/or arbitration; represent the State of New Mexico and the agency in complex and sensitive water rights. To provide professional legal services on moderately complex, and sensitive matters of water law in the specific areas of water rights adjudications, and water right negotiations for the office of the State Engineer, Litigation & Adjudication Program and include the provision of legal advice in moderately complex litigation matters, interpretation of legal research, analysis, and mediation.
Perform moderately complex, and sensitive litigation: Conduct moderately complex and sensitive litigation in State Courts with minimal supervision and perform appellate duties for cases on appeal. Research complex and specialized areas of environmental and water law. Prepare and argue motions and draft legal pleading for hearings; conduct discovery, including depositions, admissions and interrogatories for hearings. Assist in conducting trials, including witness preparation, presentation of expert testimony, other evidentiary presentations and oral arguments.
Serve as Attorney in moderately complex water rights adjudication: This job task is accomplished through the application of legal principles and precedents, preparing moderately complex litigation through reviewing case documentation; making determinations of legal position and strategy; initiating legal documents; conducting interviews; and preparing witnesses to testify and demonstrating mastery of the law. In addition, this position will represent the State of New Mexico and the agency in complex litigation in state court and develop and coordinate discovery. Coordinate and/or perform legal research and analysis of laws, legal precedents, legal issues, and rules/regulations.
Provide legal advice to policy makers on matters impacting the agency and the state: Explain and/or interpret the law to agency personnel; advise policy makers as to the legal appropriateness of proposals and potential actions or courses of action; research, analyze and interpret changes in legislation, laws, rules, court decisions and precedents to determine, anticipate, evaluate and assess possible agency impact; and, participate on management teams to develop and implement strategic plan to meet the agency mission.
Assist in negotiations of settlement agreements to resolve major cases: Assist in conducting negotiations/mediations, including alternative dispute resolution techniques and/or arbitration; represent the State of New Mexico and the agency in complex and sensitive water rights. To provide professional legal services on moderately complex, and sensitive matters of water law in the specific areas of water rights adjudications, and water right negotiations for the office of the State Engineer, Litigation & Adjudication Program and include the provision of legal advice in moderately complex litigation matters, interpretation of legal research, analysis, and mediation.
Who are the customers?
Attorneys may represent the State of New Mexico, the State Engineer, and the Water Rights Division of the Office of the State Engineer.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have experience with:
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.
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).
This position is required to drive a state vehicle. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
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.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Julie Park, Attorney Supervisor, 505-637-2848 Email (Julie.Park@ose.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.
Attorneys may represent the State of New Mexico, the State Engineer, and the Water Rights Division of the Office of the State Engineer.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have experience with:
- Water rights and natural resource issues, especially New Mexico's constitutional prior appropriation system;
- Representing agencies and clients before administrative tribunals, in trials and/or in judicial proceedings;
- Drafting and editing legal documents such as motions, interrogatories, and briefs, including performing needed legal research and analysis;
- Working in cooperation with lawyers and non-lawyers to understand, articulate and implement pubic agency policy;
- Working with technical, engineering, hydrological and other scientific experts.
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.
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).
This position is required to drive a state vehicle. Must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Driver's License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification within six (6) months of date of hire as a condition of continued employment.
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.
Supplemental Information:
Do you know what Total Compensation is? Click here (http://www.spo.state.nm.us/total-compensation.aspx)
Agency Contact Information: Julie Park, Attorney Supervisor, 505-637-2848 Email (Julie.Park@ose.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.
